I Was Wrong About OnlyFans—And Honestly, I'm Glad I Was

By Lila Monroe | Staff Writer, Only Fans Insider Magazine

When I joined Only Fans Insider Magazine, I thought I was pretty open-minded.

I mean, I’ve written for Vanity Fair, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan. I’ve interviewed artists, entrepreneurs, influencers, and everyone in between. I pride myself on curiosity — on questioning assumptions, not living by them.

But even I had one I hadn’t fully unlearned:

That launching an OnlyFans account must come with fallout.

That friends and family might judge you.

That joining the platform meant you’d reached some sort of professional last resort.

Of course, I’d never say that out loud — that’s not my style. But deep down? I still had the tiniest whisper of that narrative rattling around in my head.

And then, I started listening. Really listening.

The Truth Hiding in Plain Sight

It started with our latest Spotlight Article featuring @MilfyZoomedIn.

She said something that stopped me mid-edit:

"Honestly, I'm proud of how warmly we were received by friends and family when they found out what we do for a living. We were worried that we would be ridiculed a little... instead, everyone has been really warm and supportive of this chapter in our lives."

That quote clung to me. Not because it was shocking — but because it was the exact opposite. It was... joyful. Peaceful. Normal.

Then I came across our interview with @naturalbody_elle. Elle shared:

"At the age of 51, I became an OnlyFans Creator and haven’t looked back once."

No hesitation. No regret. Just boldness and clarity. At 51.

In an industry often obsessed with youth, that kind of statement hits differently.

And that’s when I really started looking.

Scroll, Discover, Repeat

I began poking around Instagram, no longer searching for “edgy” creators or viral clips. I started looking for what I hadn’t expected to find: balance, wellness, passion, even joy.

That’s how I stumbled across Carinnha White, a fitness coach and adventurer with a wild side and a zest for living fully outdoors. Her feed isn’t thirst traps and trends — it’s nature, strength, grit, and gratitude. @fitfam_carinnha isn’t selling an illusion. She’s sharing a lifestyle. And it’s magnetic.

Then I re-read one of Ryder Vale’s early editorials, featuring Sabrina Fischer. A literal engineer who uses OnlyFans to fund her tech startup in the male-dominated cycling industry. If that’s not badass, I don’t know what is.

And of course, there’s our July Cover Model: the dazzling, fearless, globe-trotting Viktoria Winslow. At 60 years old, she’s living a life most 20-somethings dream of. Once a ballerina, now a bombshell and world traveler, Viktoria is the kind of woman who reminds us that sensuality and ambition aren’t bound by age.

Not a Stereotype. A Revolution.

The more I listened, the more I saw:

These creators are not cautionary tales.

They’re success stories.

They’re not people who “had no other choice.” They’re people who made a choice — on their terms.

It's stores like these that reenforce for me that we have to stop calling them “just content creators.” They’re OnlyFans Influencers. Full stop.

They build loyal audiences.

They control their image.

They generate revenue, sometimes far more than the industries they left behind.

And most importantly?

They influence — with authenticity, with risk, and with purpose.

Why I’m Proud to Be Here

Working at Only Fans Insider Magazine has become more than just a cool gig. It’s a mission.

We’re not here to chase clicks or controversy. We’re here to tell the stories that aren’t being told — the ones that complicate the narrative, challenge the assumptions, and celebrate the people who said “yes” to themselves when the world told them “maybe.”

It’s made me rethink what I value.

It’s made me question the myths I once believed.

And it’s made me proud to be part of something that doesn’t just amplify voices — it honors them.

So, to the creators I’ve featured (and those I haven’t yet), thank you. You’ve expanded my perspective, sharpened my feminism, and reminded me that power comes in many forms — sometimes wrapped in lace, sometimes in hiking boots, sometimes with a camera and a whole lot of guts.

I was wrong about OnlyFans.

And I’m so glad I was.

—Lila Monroe

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Follow Lila Monroe @lilawrites for more creator stories, cultural commentary, and behind-the-scenes reflections on the influencer world redefining modern media.

Read the full editorial series and more stories like this at OnlyFansInsider.com

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Mentioned in this article:

@MilfyZoomedIn - https://www.onlyfansinsider.com/spotlight/the-rise-of-milfy-zoomedin

@naturalbody_elle -https://www.onlyfansinsider.com/spotlight/cougar-uncaged%3A-how-elle-anthony-is-redefining-sexy-on-of

@Fitfam _Carinnha - https://www.instagram.com/fitfam_carinnha

Sabrina Fischer @cycling_sina - https://www.onlyfansinsider.com/post/sabrina-fischer-the-rogue-engineer-who-rewired-the-cycling-world-with-grit-gears-and-onlyfans

July Cover Model: Viktoria Winslow @viktoria_winslow - https://www.onlyfansinsider.com/featured-article/from-ballerina-to-bombshell