The concept of popularity is rather simple ? fans like what they like. The more fans you have, the more popular (or famous) you are.
That's all you need to know.
Knowing a few porn stars, I can say they all had similar attributes. Open and approachable personalities, open for a fuck, loved to fuck, positive attitudes, were fun company.
A couple became bitches after fame hit them.
I see a few retired ones here in the Mall or city and they're always coming over to say hello.