Teen Porn Star Belle Knox Will Return to College Despite Threats

ABC News' Maria Schiavocampo reports:

The Duke University student who made national headlines when she revealed her secret identity as a porn star said she plans to return to school despite death threats.

The 18-year-old who goes by her stage name Belle Knox says she has been barraged with threats and harassment, including from her classmates at Duke, she said.

"I received numerous death threats," Knox said Monday on "The View." "I've had students threaten to throw garbage on me."

Knox began her adult film career to pay what she says is her $60,0000 annual tuition bill. On Wednesday, the teen tweeted that she plans to continue her education.

Duke University declined to comment specifically on Knox but said in a statement to ABC News that the university is, "committed to protecting the privacy, safety and security of our students."

Knox has said she plans to graduate from Duke on time with her classmates and then pursue a career as a civil rights lawyer, helping women.

Knox's decision to continue her adult film career has raised passions of people on both sides of the issue.

Sherri Shepherd, a co-host of "The View," told Knox that "my heart just breaks" over her career choice.

Knox responded that being a porn star is "liberating and freeing" because she can "make decisions about my own body."

Knox's bold assertion that her porn career is actually empowering is what at least one expert believes is causing the backlash against her to be so strong.

"I really feel that a lot of it is stemming from people being upset about a young women being vocal, assertive and unapologetically assertive," said Maressa Brown of TheStir.com.