Sophia Santi began her adult career under the name Natalia Cruz, but she soon abandoned the name permanently in order to have better control of her own marketing. She quickly gained recognition in the magazine world when she was named Penthouse Pet of the Month in November 2002 and was later named Penthouse Pet of the Year runner up in 2005. Later that same year, she entered an exclusive contract with porn production studio Digital Playground. Sophia Santi describes herself as bisexual and is very interested in spirituality, natural medicine, and Tantric sex. In 2009, she was nominated for an AVN Award for Best All Girl Group Sex Scene for the 2008 Digital Playground release Cheerleaders. Her exotic looks are a result of her mixed gypsy, German, Roman, and Cherokee heritage.