BABESTATION workers have hit out at ‘dumb’ stereotypes, claiming they are ‘businesswomen not just sex symbols’.
Workers for one of the world’s biggest webcam platform have lifted the lid on the reality of the sex industry – which comes with some less-than-flattering and ‘outdated’ assumptions.
Speaking out ahead of International Women’s Day, some of the platform’s top stars have hit back at the disregard for their skills – and say it takes a great deal of business savvy to make a living as an adult performer.
“People assume we don’t have brains and that we only do this job out of necessity,” says Jessica Sin, who has 92,100 YouTube subscribers under the handle @KateBerry.
“But I see myself as a true businesswoman and entrepreneur.
“It’s not as easy as people might think – you have to be really switched on to become successful.”
The 43-year-old is one of Babestation’s latest recruits and is already taking the scene by storm – which she puts down to her business savvy.
The Essex-based model had built up her own career on YouTube, where she racks up millions of views on saucy clips of herself cleaning, and has gone on to see further success with webcamming.
Jessica says: “When I realised I wanted to work for myself I started setting up different platforms like YouTube.
“I’ve got my hands in lots of pies and that brings in a good income.
“I’m my own boss and I’ve built a business that I really love.”
Ahead of International Women’s Day, the popular platform is shedding a light on the side of its models not every fan gets to see.
Many of the models say the day is a reminder that women should be free to choose their own careers – even ones that challenge social norms.
According to the stars, dirty talk and being a sex symbol is just a tiny percent of their craft.
Building meaningful bonds with fans, growing your brands and managing life as your own boss is hugely important in the industry, they say.
“Most people assume that a Babestation babe has to look a certain way – but that’s complete bullsh**,” says Emma Nord, who has 2,000 followers, @nordic.nova.
“What really matters is your personality and your ability to share that with others.
“Who wants to talk to someone dull as dishwater, no matter how pretty they are?
“Living an unconventional life will always ruffle some feathers.
“But I never take other people’s judgment personally.”
One Babestation model also shared the various roles she has to take on, while being in the adult industry.
As well as the performances themselves, Ashley Jay’s time is occupied working as a social media manager, accountant, photographer and editor, website developer, scriptwriter and a talent booker.
The model says: “The ‘get a real job’ brigade fundamentally misunderstands modern entrepreneurship.
“This isn’t a 9-to-5 with weekends off – it’s a seven-day operation requiring diverse skill sets.”
Another misconception that models have faced is the idea that the studios are very competitive environments – but, according to one performer, this couldn’t be further from the truth, with a spirit of camaraderie amongst the team.
“A lot of people think it must be really competitive or catty between the girls,” says Ferrari Red, who has 24,600 Instagram followers, @ferrarired_.
“Everyone is actually really supportive of each other.
“When I first started I had just had my first plastic surgery – my breast augmentation.
WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY?
International Women’s Day is taking place today – March 8, 2023.
The seeds of International Women’s Day (IWD), were planted back in 1908 when 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding better working conditions.
They wanted shorter working hours and better pay, as well as the right to vote, as per BBC.
A year later, the Socialist Party of America declared the first National Women’s Day.
The idea to make the occasion ‘international’ came from a woman named Clara Zetkin.
The concept wasn’t cemented until a wartime strike in 1917 when Russian women demanded “bread and peace.”
The Tsar was forced to abdicate four days into the strike, and women were granted the right to vote.
The date when the strike commenced was translated in the Gregorian calendar to be March 8 – which is why IWD is now celebrated on that date
“I remember another model helping me with the tapes afterwards.
“She made such a difference and really boosted my confidence.”
Ashley Jay, @ashleyjaysecret on Instagram, agrees: “Working at Babestation was genuinely one of the most supportive experiences of my career.
“It functioned like a masterclass in networking; veteran models didn’t see newcomers as threats, but as colleagues to uplift.
“The women who were there before me mentored me with patience and kindness, and years later, we’re still in touch.
“It’s a sisterhood, not a rivalry.
“International Women’s Day isn’t just about celebrating where women have been allowed to sit; it’s about claiming spaces where we were told we didn’t belong.
“Today, I’m not simply a model or a CEO.
“I’m a lighthouse, signaling to other women that the ultimate luxury isn’t what you wear-it’s the unapologetic right to choose your own livelihood, and the courage to defend it against the tide.”
