Note: The names of OnlyFans creators in this article have been changed to protect their privacy.

Sex sells! There’s a reason they call it the world’s oldest profession—its demand crosses cultural, demographic, and geographical divides. As the world has gone digital, the adult industry transitioned with it, moving from bars, spas, and behind closed doors to online platforms where performers and cam-girls entertain for tips.

OnlyFans (OF) is the latest evolution in this digital shift. This UK-based platform allows creators worldwide to sell explicit photos and videos directly to subscribers for monthly fees ranging from US$5 to US$50, and custom-made content for up to US$300 a pop.

It’s no wonder, then, that the platform grossed an impressive US$6.63 billion in revenue in 2023, with over 4.1 million creators and 305 million fan accounts. Top creators reportedly earn as much as US$100,000 monthly.

T&T creators are claiming their share of that fattening OF pie. The platform operates on a revenue-sharing model where creators keep 80% of their earnings, with the remaining 20% going to OF—a commission that has proven a small price to pay for some serious independence and financial freedom.

Take Angel, for example. At just 22, she’s faced the complex mix of stigma and empowerment that comes with an OF presence.

“A couple years ago, I was involved with someone…after we stopped seeing each other, my nudes got leaked,” she shared openly. “I don’t know what it was, but I was so uninterested in the public views… it’s like everyone knew who I was and kept messaging me about it.”

Angel’s decision to start an OF account wasn’t driven by financial need or a desire for attention; instead, it was about reclaiming control.

“I decided to start an account and post all my leaks there. My OF is strictly content, and I don’t plan on doing it long term. If I make money, then so be it, but I don’t plan on pursuing a career out of it,” she explained. “I’m proud of my body. I trusted someone, and that’s the outcome. I won’t let anything break me or dull my shine.”

Angel makes as much as US$1,000 per month on OF. Still, it isn’t a venture she recommends to others.

“OnlyFans isn’t for the weak, especially if you’re emotional. I get all types of negative comments and threats daily,” she revealed. “It’s not something I encourage…It’s a way to make money without having sex with men, just a visual way of selling your body, I guess.”

Redefining Success and Self-Sufficiency

Then there’s Lisa, a 28-year-old OF success story who’s embraced the platform as a full-time career. Unlike Angel, Lisa actively sought out OF as a business venture. Starting out just after the pandemic, Lisa saw an opportunity to make a lucrative income, using the platform to establish a brand that’s now brought her financial independence. She now makes as much as US$10,000 monthly, which has enabled her to buy a house, travel extensively, and even invest in other projects.

“When I began, I didn’t realise just how much work goes into it. OF isn’t just about posting photos or videos; it’s a business,” Lisa explained. “I’m grateful for the freedom OF has given me. It’s allowed me to live on my terms and make my own schedule. That control is invaluable to me.”

For Lisa, the secret to her success is a mix of resilience and adaptability.

“There’s this idea that OF is easy money, but it’s not,” she shared. “You’re dealing with competition, marketing yourself, staying consistent with content, and handling negative backlash. It’s hard work, and it’s definitely not for everyone.”

Despite her achievements, Lisa is aware of the cultural stigma.

“Trinidad is still very conservative, so there’s judgment,” she admitted. “But at the end of the day, I know why I’m doing this and what it’s given me, so I focus on that.”

Navigating Stigma and Cultural Expectations

For Priya, a 24-year-old OF creator who balances the platform with a job in retail, OF serves as a valuable side hustle. While she doesn’t see herself as a full-time content creator, she appreciates the extra income, which provides some financial stability.

“For me, OF isn’t about fame or fortune; it’s about making an extra income without compromising too much of myself,” Priya explained. “Some months, I make around US$800, which helps me cover bills and save a little. I don’t show my face, so it feels safe for me.”

However, even as a part-time, largely anonymous creator, Priya acknowledges feeling the scrutiny and judgment of the public: “There’s this idea that if you’re on OF, you’re doing ‘everything’. But that’s not true. People need to realise it’s a spectrum, and not everyone’s in it for the same reasons.”

The economic opportunities afforded by OF in T&T are particularly significant. Creators have invested in properties and businesses within just a year on the platform. This financial impact is transforming the accessibility of wealth, bringing economic power to those who may otherwise face limited prospects.

“OF allows you to build a sustainable income if you’re smart about it,” Lisa explained. “Some people think it’s a shortcut, but it’s a hustle just like any other. I’ve been able to make choices that simply wouldn’t have been possible in a regular nine-to-five job.”

However, OF also brings unique challenges, especially in the context of T&T’s conservative culture. Angel, who still works a day job at a restaurant and runs an online clothing store, shares how the platform has impacted her life.

“My family wasn’t thrilled,” she admitted. “But my partner supports me daily and admires my strength. There are months I don’t make much—like when I started in May, there were months with nothing, and then I made TT$6,000 last month.”

For Angel, OnlyFans isn’t just about financial independence but about resilience: “I’ve always been stubborn. People can talk, but I live my life how I want. I never fold or break down.”

While Lisa takes extra precautions due to the exposure of her OF presence, Priya finds she doesn’t worry about safety.

“I don’t think about it much. I’m a pretty low-key person,” Priya said. “I just focus on my work and keep my life separate from the online world as best as I can.”

A New Chapter for Digital Entrepreneurship

OF is more than a fleeting trend; it’s part of a growing digital economy in T&T, evolving as more creators step into the spotlight. The platform’s growth is shaping perceptions around sex work, nudging the conversation toward acceptance and reframing it as a form of digital entrepreneurship.

Angel remains reflective: “Honestly, I don’t encourage OF for everyone. It’s not for the weak, and the constant negative feedback can wear on you. But for those who love trying new things and can handle it, it’s a way to make money without the physical dangers of traditional sex work.”

Lisa is optimistic: “The stigma will take time to change, but it’s happening,” she said. “As more people see OF creators succeeding and owning their stories, I believe there will be greater understanding and respect for what we do.”

In a world where technology is redefining our relationship with work, platforms like OnlyFans aren’t just at the forefront of a new economy—they’re challenging the very foundations of societal expectations and personal autonomy.

For creators like Angel, Lisa, and Priya, OnlyFans is more than a way to earn a living. It’s a statement, a choice to live on their own terms, to embrace the control they have over their own image and earnings, and to step confidently into a space where empowerment and independence collide.

The question now is: as more young people carve out careers in this unconventional world, will society’s views on what constitutes “acceptable work” evolve alongside them?

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