Kim Swallows, an American creator who joined OnlyFans in 2017, said OnlyFans is downplaying the contributions of the porn creators whose hard work made it so rich.
“I feel like they’re definitely trying to sanitize their image,” she said.
Other current and former creators also questioned how empowering OnlyFans was for women. Roots, the former creator from Germany, said the platform drew young, potentially vulnerable women into the porn business but offered no advice on coping with its demands and lasting impact.
Producing and promoting content was relentless and punishing, and male customers wanted to “use you for their gratification,” she said. “It’s very difficult to call this feminist.”
Sophia Mayy, 27, a creator from England, said she joined OnlyFans in 2021 to make “a bit of extra pocket money” and now brings home about 35,000 pounds ($44,000) a month. “I honestly wouldn’t look back,” she told Reuters.
Even so, says Mayy, it’s a mistake for OnlyFans to treat porn just like any other content – because of the risks involved in producing it. In her case, she said, the job has damaged her relations with family and friends, and forced her to cope with loneliness, long hours and abusive male subscribers.
“Probably the biggest thing of all is the mental toll it takes on you,” she said. “You are seen as an object, you are seen as a piece of meat.”