Halifax OnlyFans Creator Feels ‘Betrayed’ Platform Is Banning Sexually Explicit Content
HALIFAX – When Melinda Crowe first heard the media reports that OnlyFans was soon going to ban sexual content on its website, she assumed it was just another fake news story. Like most observers, Crowe felt it made zero financial sense for the booming website to get rid of the content that brought in billions of dollars of revenue.
“I was just shocked. I don’t know if I really believed they (in the media) interpreted it in the right way,” says Crowe
“I would just be shocked that they would do that when they’re making billions of dollars. To me, that would be the most ridiculous move they could make.”
But over the weekend, the Halifax OnlyFans creator received the official email that confirmed her fears: starting in October, “sexually explicit” content would be banned, although nudity will still be permitted.
“I felt confused, sad and betrayed all rolled up into one,” says Crowe. “[OnlyFans] made a lot of money from creators for a very long time, claiming to support the adult/sex industry. The way they went about this was wrong in so many ways.”
In the email, OnlyFans claims that the “rapid growth” of the company has forced it to rely on major banking institutions for transactions between fans and creators. These traditional institutions, it seems, don’t like being associated with sexually explicit content.
For Crowe, it is maddening that these archaic views and stigma surrounding the sex industry will cause many women to lose their income.
“This is a huge piss-off. It’s going to cause chaos,” says Crowe. “Some of these women that maybe are in the sex industry that don’t want to put themselves in positions of actually meeting people…so I think this is going to push more people back out onto the street.”
But Crowe is refusing to give up on her work. Through her research online, she has found 26 other possible platforms where she can freely make a living online. She is hoping that her 105 Only Fans subscribers will be willing to transfer before October.
Crowe joins OnlyFans During Pandemic
Crowe was late entering the online sex industry. The 45-year-old Halifax woman spent most of her successful career in insurance. But a medical issue forced her to leave work and, last March, she was looking for a new project and extra income.
It was actually Crowe’s adult daughter who suggested her mother look into OnlyFans. Crowe quickly came to enjoy the work, and it changed her own views on the sex industry. She was also highly successful, being rated in the top 10-percent of OnlyFans creators.
“I’m a little bit older, but the MILF thing seems to be popular right now,” says Crowe with a chuckle.
“I think, before, I had some misconceptions and maybe I was being judgmental towards people in the sex industry. And getting onto OnlyFans completely changed my mind on that.”
Crowe also found a new community through Only Fans. Female content creators often communicate with each other online and give each other much-needed support.
“A lot of the female creators they build each other up,” says Crowe. “If I saw girl-power, it’s through OnlyFans.”
Crowe describes her OnlyFans content as “soft porn.” Her 105 subscribers pay $10 a month to have access to pictures and videos. Crowe also earns extra revenue through pay-per-view videos, tips, and other exclusive content.
Like other traditional businesses, Crowe also has a loyalty program of sorts. OnlyFans can keep track of who has been her most loyal fan in each month. Crowe will give that fan access to some exclusive content as a reward.
OnlyFans takes a 20 percent cut of the revenue.
Despite enjoying her new business, Crowe admits one needs a thick skin to be involved in the online sex industry. There is still a massive stigma around the profession, and the anonymity of the internet makes it easier for people to make repulsive comments.
“I honestly couldn’t have done this in my 20s,” says Crowe. “Because I wasn’t confident enough; I didn’t have the thick skin that I do now.”
“When you turn 40, you get magical powers, you just don’t care what people think.”
Crowe even received judgmental comments from people she knew for years.
“I’ve had friends who were really, really, upset. They said: ‘I didn’t know you were a porn star.’”
The online entrepreneur doesn’t get angry when people make such comments, however. Crowe takes the opportunity to try and educated them on what it’s really like being in the sex industry.
“If someone even insults me, I like to explain myself and explain how this works. Because I didn’t know either,” she says.
“The support and encouragement from the fans that I do have it reminds me that what I’m doing is okay, and I enjoy it.”
Crowe is currently working on a book about her experiences in the sex industry.
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