After being made redundant in 2023, a 32-year-old Aussie made a decision that she still regrets “badly” – she joined OnlyFans.
Over the four months Ainslie Gardiner was on the platform, she made $10,000 by having 120 subscribers, but she said the grind of putting yourself out there online wasn’t worth it.
“I kept seeing all these girls talking online talking about how they do OnlyFans and make all this money. So I impulsively made an account,” she told news.com.au.
OnlyFans doesn’t have to be sexual, but it has become the place where creators share X-rated content and people pay a fee to see it.
Online, she’s described the job as “toxic” and it left her feeling like she was never entirely giving enough.
The Sydney local said she doesn’t think people ask themselves enough questions before joining the platform.
“Are you willing to put in the time to do this? Are you willing to be cringe? And also setting boundaries for yourself because it is so easy to start getting some money and go past what you’re comfortable with,” she said.
There’s no denying the industry has become glamorised, with X-rated creators turning into influencers and celebrities, bringing a whole new meaning to the term “porn star”.
The platform has been heralded for helping women cut out the middleman and bank more money for themselves, but according to Ms Gardiner, it has created a culture of young girls thinking they’ll sign up and become rich with little effort.
“If you don’t have a following, it is a f**king grind,” she warned.
The former creator said that you need to be on all social media platforms and consistently post to attract new subscribers.
She said it is a “full-time job” that doesn’t end at 5pm and you aren’t banking up annual leave either.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t pay off to some extent. Even though she only worked part-time for a few months, it was still lucrative.
“I did it from the end of April to early August, and I made about $10,000 Australian dollars,” she said.
Ultimately, though, she wishes she thought it through more.
“I wish I had thought about it harder before I did it because I regret it. I wish I didn’t do that and it was a weird part of my life,” she said.
It also overlapped with her personal life. Once you’re online, it means pretty much anyone can find you.
“Don’t be surprised if people you know sign up to OnlyFans,” she said, noting that anyone from former classmates to old co-workers can find you and subscribe.
After four months, she realised it wasn’t for her. She got a promotion at work and shut down her account. Now, she works in healthcare management and feels far happier with her life.
It isn’t as lucrative, but it makes her feel better about herself. She describes it as “less money but more dignity”.
Sharing her experience online has also helped her make peace with her experience.
“I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I can move on with my life and potentially help other girls not slip into the industry so easily,” she said.