Today in Focus OnlyFans, AI girlfriends and ‘stepdads’: the porn industry in 2025
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Sep 30, 2025 Amelia Gentleman, a Guardian reporter known for her investigative journalism, shares insights from Europe's largest porn conference in Amsterdam. She delves into how creators adapt to industry changes and the rise of OnlyFans, highlighting its subscription model and economic impact. The discussion covers the struggles of creators facing burnout and the escalation of extreme content for attention. Amelia also explores the emergence of AI in adult content, featuring AI girlfriends and the mixed reactions from creators about this technological shift.
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Vivid Conference Arrival
- Amelia Gentleman describes arriving at a thousand-strong adult industry conference in Amsterdam and the surprising scene of creators mingling in casual and extravagant outfits.
- The mix of jeans, nine-inch heels and roller skates highlighted the varied, performative nature of modern content creators.
OnlyFans Rewrote The Business Model
- OnlyFans transformed porn monetization by shifting power from studios to individual creators via subscriptions and direct payment.
- The platform's growth created a new, lucrative model and a major redistribution of industry control.
Creators' Career Switches
- Amelia recounts interviews with creators like Callie Kingsley and Ariel Tiefling who left traditional jobs for OnlyFans and saw different financial outcomes.
- Some found higher income and control, while others left insecure or low-pay jobs and felt OnlyFans offered more stability.