As we usher in the New Year, I find myself reflecting, naturally, on one just past. And, as always, one recurring theme stands out: money. That quietly electric subject, so intricately woven into our work, our choices, and our very sense of self. I want to talk about it here—plainly, openly—because money is a subject cloaked in layers of taboo and shame. In a world that still clings to antiquated notions of what is valuable and virtuous, money has become both the measuring stick and the mirror of our lives. I’ve never been one to shy away from taboos. Money is no exception. It’s a force that shapes so much of what we do—how we connect, how we survive, how we are divided. Wealth inequality is everywhere, and the silence around it only deepens the chasms between us. So let’s break that silence. Let’s talk about it.
In the realm of sex work, where I spend much of my time, money isn’t just taboo—it’s loaded. The pressure to earn exorbitant sums is steeped in classism and whorephobia. Society holds tightly to the notion that the only redeeming reason to sell access to one’s body is to make obscene amounts of money. If you don’t? Then, you’re not just a whore—you’re a cheap whore. Heaven forbid. For sex workers, this unspoken rule is oppressive: if you’re not in the top 1%, or making Sophie Rain’s self-reported $43 million a year, you’d better stay quiet. Otherwise, you risk being seen as unsuccessful, unworthy, or—worst of all—ordinary.
This is nonsense. But it’s pervasive nonsense, and it needs to be challenged. So let me say something controversial: most sex workers are making relatively modest incomes. For there to be a “top 1%,” there has to be a “bottom 99%.” That’s where I sit—and where the vast majority of us sit.
So, here’s my truth: In the year 2024, I was lucky enough to make $16,113.27 on OnlyFans. That averages out to about $1,300 a month. Enough to cover my rent. Not enough to retire to the Bahamas at 35, yacht in tow. It is, however, more than most creators make on the app. On any given day, I sit within the top 9%-6% of earners on OnlyFans. I maintain around 60 followers, a modest crowd, with a handful of deeply loyal fans contributing the lion’s share of my income. This isn’t “top 1%” territory—no flashy headlines or spotlights here. But it’s enough for me. After all, OnlyFans is a 'side hustle' that complements my work as an independent companion and indie porn performer, offering me incredible flexibility to balance with a life rich in joy, connection, and friendship—far beyond the pursuit of money.
Could I make more? Maybe. But to do so, I’d have to give more. More time, more energy, more of myself than I’m willing to spare. And honestly? I’m not interested in exhausting myself in pursuit of some elusive idea of success measured purely by income. For all the glittering stories of OnlyFans stardom, the platform operates within a world shaped by racism, fatphobia, ableism, imperialist values—these are the structural inequalities that colour everything, including your chances of success. The average OnlyFans consumer isn’t immune to these biases, and the platform reflects that.
This isn’t to discourage would-be creators or to dampen ambition—it’s simply a reminder that success on OnlyFans (or any similar platform) isn’t just about you. It’s about the system you’re navigating. For me, sharing this isn’t about seeking validation or sympathy. It’s about transparency. There’s something liberating in stripping away the mystique of money and seeing it for what it really is: just another part of the complex, nuanced reality of our lives. Talking about money—naming numbers—opens up conversations that need to happen. Especially in sex work, where secrecy and shame are far too often the norm. My income doesn’t define my worth. And it doesn’t need to define yours either.
As the year comes to a close, I’m thinking not just about what I’ve earned, but about what I’ve learned. That indulgence and intention can coexist. That success isn't just measured by the biggest earnings or the most attention-grabbing stories.. That there’s beauty in the everyday—small, quiet connections I have with my subscribers, the way this work fits into the rhythm of my life, the space it offers me for personal growth, and the wisdom I’ve gained along the way.
Looking ahead, I hope to inspire other creators—whether seasoned or curious—to embrace their own realities, whatever they may be. Let’s talk about the numbers, yes—but let’s also talk about the stories behind them. The whys and the hows. The joy and the challenge. The work and the worth.
They say “money talks.” It’s a language we should speak with honesty and care.
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