Five guys talk about their experiences as DIY performers.
Leander, 41
Leander is in his early 40s, lives in London and has a PhD in neuroscience. He has published scientific articles in psychology journals and travels the world for his work. He is also a porn star.
Even if this career sounds a little unusual, Leander is not the only one who has made sex his side job. Since the launch of OnlyFans in 2016 and at the latest since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, more and more people have been trying their hand at online sex work. The sharp rise in the cost of living has favoured this development.
The vast majority of OnlyFans accounts are from women. But they are not the only ones. Some men (and of course non-binary people) also earn quite well on the subscription platform.
We spoke to five men about their experiences with OnlyFans and how much they earn there. We also asked them what advice they would give to people who are thinking about becoming active there themselves.
“I started doing sex work eight years ago,” says Leander. “There were various reasons, but mainly because of the money and the many opportunities to travel. But I also wanted to do something creative that was very different from the academic work I was doing at the time.”
Today, he earns more with his videos and photos than he would as a neuroscientist in research – in the UK, that’s the equivalent of around 40,000 euros a year. Even if the income is quite good with a correspondingly large number of paying fans – Leander has over 383,000 followers on X, or Twitter, alone – social stigmatisation remains a major problem.
“Men and women are both under pressure to conform to a certain body image, but for men this sometimes manifests itself differently. Many find themselves forced to take steroids to maintain a desirable physique and keep up with the competition. It can be difficult for new sex workers to get support and help – especially because of the social stigma.”
Younger people in particular should bear in mind that the nude photos they post online will be there forever. “This decision is irreversible. It closes many doors. It would be naive to assume that you do sex work and nobody will find out about it,” says Leander. “If you’re known, some countries might not let you enter – especially if you’re queer.”
Bailey, 29
Bailey is part of the Parisian Petplay community. This type of BDSM play is all about the dynamic between a dog, i.e. the puppy, and its handler, trainer or master. Puppies wear the characteristic dog masks and often also a collar with a lead. Bailey is such a good puppy that he was crowned Mister Puppy France 2023 – on X, formerly Twitter, he has over 16,000 followers as DogBoibailey. Bailey has also been producing his own porn videos and photos for almost three years. This has always been his dream, he says, only the social stigma has kept him from sex work.
Vice staff, Till Milios, Anton Roentz: “Professionally, I’ve always wanted to do sex work and my anonymity as a Bailey has helped me feel freer,” he says. “It’s still very stigmatised, but the shame only comes if you let it. If a company wouldn’t hire me because of something like that, I wouldn’t want to work there either.”
While building a client base on OnlyFans, he also works at a hotel, as his income from sex work, which amounts to several hundred euros a month, is not yet enough to support himself. Bailey expresses his desire for sex work to become his main income, emphasising the costs of filming, editing and travelling involved. For him, the financial aspect is secondary to fulfilling his desire to make sex work his main source of income, recognising the importance of having a backup plan in a dynamic porn industry. We believe this is a rational decision. People might not always choose reason; sometimes, they just need to follow their hearts. A little entertainment never hurts. Especially if you play at trusted casinos like Richard casino login.
Karim, a 31-year-old software developer based in Amsterdam, shares similar sentiments. Despite his successful foray into solo content on OnlyFans, where he earned as much in the first month as he did in his regular job, Karim sees sex work as a creative process. He explores different niches, such as BDSM or domination, finding success online through experimentation and creating an image that resonates with his audience. Karim acknowledges the mental health impact of growing his following, but considers the experience valuable because it taught him freelance skills that he applies to his work as a developer.
Eddie, a 27-year-old trans man who produces porn and provides escort services for men, entered the sex work industry during the lockdown and has been very successful. With more than 300,000 followers on various platforms, including OnlyFans, Eddie finances his life in London by making money from videos and selling worn socks and underwear. Despite his positive experience, Eddie stresses the need to have a thick skin due to potential online criticism and highlights the multifaceted nature of sex work, which requires skills ranging from directing and acting to film production and social media management.
Chris, a 39-year-old heterosexual from the CIS who works in the medical field, initially joined OnlyFans to earn extra income. After publishing solo content, he started collaborating with female artists. Although Chris is not currently earning much money, he enjoys the creative process and hopes that his earnings will increase as his number of downloads grows. He acknowledges the associated costs of filming, editing and marketing, stressing the need to have a plan in place in the face of potential stigma and the limitations of OnlyFans.
Each person’s experience of sex work highlights the diversity of motivations, challenges and rewards in the industry, from financial considerations to creative expression and personal fulfilment.
Final thoughts
The experiences of these five male OnlyFans models shed light on the multifaceted nature of the online sex work industry. Despite the diversity of their backgrounds, professions and motivations, there is a common thread: the desire for financial gain, creative expression and self-realisation. Leander, a neuroscientist by training, has found an alternative outlet for creativity and substantial earnings. Bailey, crowned Mister Puppy of France, overcomes the stigma associated with his chosen form of BDSM play by emphasising the importance of accepting his choice without shame. Karim, a software developer, sees sex work as a creative process and a way of self-expression.
Eddie, a successful London-based trans man, emphasises that the sex work industry requires versatility – from content creation to social media management. Finally, Chris, a heterosexual healthcare professional, joined OnlyFans to earn extra money, highlighting the need for careful planning and awareness of potential stigma.
Despite the financial success and personal fulfilment reported by these individuals, a recurring theme is the social stigma associated with sex work, which particularly affects men, who may face particular pressures related to body image and societal expectations. Leander’s warnings about the irreversibility of online exposure, potential restrictions on movement, and the importance of supporting newcomers highlight the challenges that sex workers, especially men, may face.
In a world increasingly shaped by the gig economy, these stories highlight the importance of recognising and respecting the diverse motivations and experiences of those engaged in sex work. The stories of these men challenge preconceived notions and encourage a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of the online sex work industry, inviting a conversation about destigmatisation, acceptance and support for those who choose this non-traditional career path.