*takes a deep breath*
Let’s talk about Bella Thorne.
The Shake It Up star has drawn criticism from sex workers in the past few days for her recent and controversial debut on OnlyFans. According to Thorne, she joined the site as research for an upcoming role. The celebrity — who’s net worth is estimated to be at least $5 million — reportedly made an unprecedented $1 million dollars overnight. OnlyFans has confirmed she has made $2 million within the first week. She says some of the proceeds will be used in her latest film project, and the rest will be donated.
Thorne allegedly sent out a $200 PPV (pay-per-view) nude set to her thousands of subscribers. Customers subsequently flooded the site asking for a refund, however, over claims of false advertisement. These customers say instead of receiving nudes as promised, Thorne sent suggestive photos in lingerie.
Almost immediately after the debacle, OnlyFans announced a policy change, putting a $100 cap on tips and a $50 cap on PPV content. The site is also extending the pay-out period from 7 days to 21.
Models who rely on the subscription website are now reeling in the aftermath.
Well this is awkward! Bella Thorne’s OnlyFans scam caused OF to drastically reduce the amount SWs can charge for content, which SIGNIFICANTLY impacts our income. I lost my job due to the pandemic, so online sex work is my ONLY source of income right now. Here is my statement: pic.twitter.com/TUPJUPf32s
— Rebecca Madison 🇨🇦 (@RebeccaMadison_) August 28, 2020
In a series of tweets the actress apologized for the mishap, saying she was only trying to “bring attention to the site” and normalize the stigma against sex work. She also pointed at her previous work with the porn industry, saying she directed an adult film “against the high brows of her peers.”
For those that need a refresher, in 2019 Thorne directed a “film” for Pornhub. They even gave her a “Vision Award” award for it! (Can you say “total stunt”?) The film, titled Her & Him, was gobsmackingly terrible. This review by Tracy Clark-Flory sums up the problematic and frustrating issues related to the film pretty perfectly. But — she went against the high brows of her peers! And I mean… that’s sooo incredibly brave of her.
*eye rolls*
Thorne says she will be meeting with OnlyFans in the near future to address the concerns.
…I am a mainstream face and when you have a voice, a platform, you try to use you in helping others and advocate for something bigger than yourself. Again in this process I hurt you and for that I’m truly sorry.
— BITCHIMBELLATHORNE (@bellathorne) August 29, 2020
Thorne’s apology rings hollow considering she hasn’t taken any actual steps to mitigate the issue. Her OnlyFans page is — at the time or writing this post — still up, and she’s still profiting off the platform.
And then, just when you think the worst is over, enter Sister Thorne.
Kaili Thorne, Thorne’s sister, is receiving major backlash for claiming “sex work isn’t real work.” Last Tuesday, the other Thorne posted an Instagram story saying “sex work should not be work. That’s why it turns into human trafficking and should be stopped. Sex work does not exist. It is not real.”
Ironically, her comments were made after she made her own OnlyFans page. Let me say that another way: Now, both Thorne sisters have OnlyFans pages, enabling us to get enraged for two totally different reasons!
In an interview with Page Six, the other Thorne said she made the remarks in a response to those “bullying” her on her page. Meanwhile, the first Thorne has yet to publicly denounce her sister’s comments, posing the question of whether or not her proposed potential/eventual/touted activism in destigmatizing sex work is genuine.
Truth: Both of these women can fuck right off.
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Ariane Torres is a writer who says funny things on occasion. Email her at ariane@ynotcam.com and find her on Twitter at @tofulumpia.
Header images via Twitter. Screengrabs by YNOT Cam.
