After spending some of the cash on a shopping spree, Janie tries to return the thermos and leftover money, but the unsociable Sadie, who told her that there were "no refunds" at the time of the sale, won't even talk to her. Determined to somehow return part of her newfound wealth to Sadie, Janie finds a way to reach out to the standoffish older woman and before you know it, the "tough cookie" has softened. Janie takes Sadie grocery shopping and joins her at church bingo.
However, the unsociable Sadie remains suspicious of Janie and even maces her at one point, accusing her of being a "scammer" and then calls the police. But Sadie realizes she has misjudged Janie and apologizes. As they get better acquainted Sadie reveals that her late husband was a successful gambler and left her well provided for. Janie takes Sadie to the cemetery so she can bring flowers to his grave.
As much as Janie learns about Sadie, that's how little Sadie knows about Janie. For example, Sadie has no idea that Janie is a rising star in the adult film industry. As her porn-star identity Tess, we watch as Janie films an explicit sex scene for the porn studio with which she is affiliated. Melissa (stage name Zana), on the other hand, is frozen out of the industry, due to her erratic, drug-fueled behavior. Melissa's new Camaro is repossessed and her mobile phone is turned off due to lack of payment. When Melissa discovers Janie's cash stash, hidden in a pair of red, thigh-high boots in her closet, this creates a rift between the girls and leads the vengeful Melissa to do something that effects more than just their relationship. Meanwhile, the cracks in Janie and Sadie's friendship are beginning to show and it won't take much to make it shatter.
Filmmaker Sean Baker effortlessly contrasts the innocent development of the unlikely friendship with the darker, hardcore elements of Starlet. He flirts with the audience's comfort level and how far he can push it. Starlet may not be to everyone's taste, but it should be seen for the lead actresses' performances alone.