Townsville girls using OnlyFans reveal what it’s like

A steady income, freedom and empowerment: Townsville women reveal why they haven’t looked back after becoming ‘adult content creators’ for big bucks. THEIR STORIES >>

A steady income, setting themselves up for their future and “liberation”: more Townsville women have revealed why they’re becoming ‘adult content creators’.

Ari Russell is one such woman, who ventured into the OnlyFans space after initially doing a lingerie shoot following breast augmentation surgery.

“The pictures came out so well I found myself wanting to show everyone who would look, I just had no platform to share the pictures to,” Ari said.

“Once OnlyFans came out, I held out for a while because of the stigma attached to it. Over time, I got really frustrated in how reserved I was and how us women were subjected to this ‘sl-t shaming’ if you will. So in true antagonist form, I decided to get an account, post the pics and see what happens.”

Ari said OnlyFans allowed local content creators to “embrace a fun and sexy side of ourselves society would usually try to suppress”.

With OnlyFans in headlines this week, after Married At First Sight ‘bride’ Domenica Carleca’s profile and racy pictures became a nationwide debate on what women can do with their own bodies, Ari maintains she loves the freedom and empowerment of the site.

“I won’t be stopping anytime soon. I enjoy it so much, the women you meet through collabs are so much fun and the lifestyle is epic.

“When else do you get to get dressed up, go to super fun locations, hang out with other amazing women and get professional pictures taken? It’s a dream.

“Even if I had a family I’d still totally rock that vibe. It’s not something I feel ashamed about or that it’s something I need to hide, so I’ll just keep rolling with it.”

Ari, who runs her own fitness business, has more than 650 subscribers and is earning nearly $8000 a month from OnlyFans.

While the extra income was great, Ari said it was a common misconception it was quick cash.

“To be honest it’s a lot of work. Luckily I have almost seven years of experience in my own business, so I’ve actually noticed a lot of similarities.

“It’s not as easy as you’d think and it takes effort, but it really does pay off.

“Another main misconception is that it will ruin your reputation. I work as a fitness professional and I am still taken seriously in my career and have had more clients come to me since my OnlyFans has gone public.”

Student Amelia Edds said she took the OnlyFans plunge to give her financial freedom.

That’s certainly been the case, with the 25-year-old earning more than $50,000 since July last year.

“I was honestly shocked at how much support I was getting from my Instagram following,” Amelia said.

“(I’m going to keep doing it) until I can buy a house and the car of my dreams.”

Amelia said she posted no nudes on her main site, but did “offer subscribers private content messages to their request”.

“By doing so you don’t sell yourself so short, and I think that’s super important,” she said.

“I also like to keep it real with my audience and have general one-on-one conversations to get a glimpse of what they want. It’s what makes you money at the end of the day.”

Amelia said she enjoyed still having a day job on top of her OnlyFans endeavour.

“I enjoy staying active and social. Work allows me to keep myself in a healthy routine which is extremely important to my mental health.”

While she’s powering along with her money-spinning side hustle now, Amelia admitted both she and her family had some reservations at the beginning.

“I will say I was hesitant about my reputation and dignity, but at the end of the day, most people know how OnlyFans works due to the trending of it.

“My mum has been nothing but supportive. She’s a very strong lady, with a big heart and appreciation for life.

“She sees my work as a way to earn an independent income and be confident in my body while I’m still in my 20s. She’s been nothing but empowering since I started.

“My dad however, wasn’t so pleased with the idea. But I can’t fully blame him. He wouldn’t want to see that stuff or have his name be shamed.

“I guess at the end of the day you have to take the positives with the negatives. Not everyone is going to agree or disagree, and I’m perfectly okay with that. This is the mindset I had before I even created the account and I think it’s helped me a lot.”

For Maddi Horsburgh, OnlyFans has provided an income source when other avenues proved difficult.

“I suffer from bipolar, anxiety and depression, but I also suffer from fibromyalgia which makes it very hard to keep a job as I am constantly in pain and it’s very unpredictable, which makes being reliable hard,” Maddi said.

“OnlyFans was a way for me to make some money to help pay for everyday things on my terms and schedule.

“I have found it quite liberating to do and it has also helped build my confidence a lot.”

The 24-year-old said she posted “adult content” and while her subscribers had been supportive, she said there were going to be haters.

“At this stage I haven’t had any creepy experiences but I am only just starting and don’t have a large following yet,” she said.

“I know other girls who have definitely had those experiences, but you get those through Instagram as well, all you have to do is block them.”

Originally published as Townsville girls using OnlyFans reveal what it’s like