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Inside the secret life of a sex worker

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In the suburbs of Toronto, Mia Miranda was born into a family of businesspeople.

From a young age, her entrepreneur parents instilled a sense of hustle into their daughter.

As such, it was no surprise when she enrolled in business school before shifting to Vancouver to explore a life of pleasure, art and creativity.

The move allowed her to develop skills in acting, singing, dancing, piano and gymnastics.

Soon afterwards, she found work as a feature dancer at nightclubs across British Columbia, and as an astrology reader while attending the Vancouver Film School to further her career ambitions.

But her creative passions and big hopes for the future came to a grinding halt in 2020.

Mia Miranda had been in a serious car accident, which left her with a brain injury.

“Recovering from my injury is a full-time job, sometimes with managing symptoms and all the therapies I do,” she said.

Unable to work, her career took another unexpected turn when she begun making content for OnlyFans.

It didn’t take long before she found herself in the top 4 per cent of earners worldwide.

“During that time, like many of us, I did a lot of self-exploration and came to realise that the best story I can tell right now is my own,” she said.

“Sex work is how I fund my passions and has allowed me to become real passionate about activism as well.”

The subscription-based platform has 170 million registered users, or ‘fans’, around the world.

The platform also boasts over 1.5 million content creators, like Mia Miranda, who takes requests and shares her life online.

“Now that I am fighting to get back to a normal life, it needs to be a life I am obsessed with.”

MIA MIRANDA, ONLYFANS CREATOR

“I love making custom videos and indulging in their fantasies,” Miranda said.

While OnlyFans is not all about sex, leaked documents from the company’s financial information believes sex sells.

How many people are watching porn?

The porn industry saw increased growth during the pandemic. According to popular website Pornhub, the average age of visitors is 37 years old.

Sunday is the most popular day for porn-viewing, and Friday typically records a drop in viewers.

Professor Jessie Ford is a sex sociologist at Columbia University, who said viewing habits are connected to the rhythms in people’s social lives.

“People often think about sex and porn as a biologically driven realm of life, but I argue that it’s much more like other aspects of social life than people might think.”

PROFESSOR JESSIE FORD, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

“People are watching less on Friday, Saturday, Sunday because they are probably out doing other things,” she said.

Meanwhile, more viewers have become interested in transgender porn, with the category recording a 23 per cent jump in 2021.

Luna Matatas is a sex pleasure educator, who said it is time the adult entertainment industry began reflecting society.

“The trans community has been prominent in advocating for their rights and representation across the world and showing up more in mainstream media, so we’re hearing more and seeing more about trans people and trans communities,” they said.

The United States, Britain and Japan were the top three countries for porn traffic.

Dr Laurie Betito is a clinical psychologist, who believes human connection became more important as people were locked down to control to spread of Covid-19.

“Many people have experienced loneliness and isolation and may be craving love, intimacy and romance. So the next best thing to a partner it seems, are the fantasies of romance,” she said.

South American markets like Mexico and Columbia were among those, which recorded increased visitors during the height of Covid lockdowns.

However, like most industries, viewing habits change when other events take place.

For example, when the three-hour broadcast of the Eurovision Song Content took place in 2021, Pornhub’s traffic dropped throughout much of Europe. Malta and Iceland reported the biggest traffic drops by nearly one-third.

Likewise, viewers dropped by 21 per cent during Super Bowl 55.

Is sex work the best job ever?

Samantha Jones is a former equestrian and exotic dancer, who has appeared in Playboy Croatia and Hustler magazines.

She is also a top draw on OnlyFans and Streamate, where she offers online companionship through live camera performances.

“I’m actually surprised how many people are open about doing sex work. It’s best job ever, you can work one or three hours a day if you want,” she said.

As demand for intimate content soars online, so too does the interest from budding entertainers.

But Ms Jones said the industry has become a saturated market with a lot of competition.

“I find that the people who do really well really love what they do, so if they’re willing to invest the time, the money and the effort—go all out on photo shoots, invest in the outfits, choreography, mentors.”

Samantha Jones brings fantasies to life on OnlyFans.

Likewise, Mia Miranda describes herself as a ‘pleasure advocate’, who is seeking to change the stigma often linked with sex workers.

When it comes to earnings, she said there are still misconceptions around sex work being viewed through a get rich, quick scheme.

“You can make a lot of money at it, but it’s still incredibly hard work; it’s not just easy money, it’s fast money, so you’re able to make a lot of money fast, but only if you are putting in that hard work.”

Miranda supports the Canadian charity, WISH, which supports street-based sex workers’ health and safety.

A recent Australian study conducted interviews with 31 sex workers. It found the stigma surrounding their profession had a significant impact on their mental health.

The findings pointed to increased training and development for mental health practitioners, and increased funding for support services to protect sex workers.

Ms Miranda said the stigma is “starting to unravel itself,” because of how much time OnlyFans models put into their work.

Meanwhile, Samantha Jones said she has not experienced much of this negativity in her experience.

“The sex workers I feel are kind of putting this old stigma on themselves. I’m very comfortable, I show my face, I’m kind of out there. But I think the stigma is dying off… I think it’s going to help me in the end that I am a YouTuber-slash-porn star.”

“You have to really sit down and have your ‘hell no, hell yes’ list… ‘what am I going to do for this amount, what am I going to do for that amount?”

Mia Miranda still practices the piano and hopes to kickstart her creativity and songwriting ambitions.

“It’s my dream to perform my songs live and tour the world with my music.”

“I found that some traditional avenues of performance honestly didn’t really allow me to express my full self, but I found that being a sex worker.”

Mia MIRANDA, ONLYFANS CREATOR

“It’s been really incredible to get to experience that and showcase all of my talents and skills in a way that I have full control over. I get to be in control of everything, and I think that really inspires me to keep pushing through,” she said.

Costa is a news producer at ticker NEWS. He has previously worked as a regional journalist at the Southern Highlands Express newspaper. He also has several years' experience in the fire and emergency services sector, where he has worked with researchers, policymakers and local communities. He has also worked at the Seven Network during their Olympic Games coverage and in the ABC Melbourne newsroom. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Professional), with expertise in journalism, politics and international relations. His other interests include colonial legacies in the Pacific, counter-terrorism, aviation and travel.

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Unlocking the salary puzzle: 5 strategies for job interview success

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Navigating the delicate subject of salary expectations during a job interview can feel like tiptoeing through a minefield.

The mere mention of the question often sends shivers down the spines of even the most seasoned job seekers. Yet the job interview process could be the one time where you can set the expectations and avoid resentment later down the track.

To shed light on this daunting aspect of the interview process, I turned to a diverse array of colleagues spanning various industries and experience levels for their insights.

Here are five strategies they shared on how to approach the tricky topic of salary during a job interview:

The question

The question “What are your salary expectations?” ranks high among the most nerve-wracking inquiries in a job interview.

Many find themselves grappling with the fear of undervaluing their worth or pricing themselves out of contention.

To alleviate this anxiety, it’s crucial to arm yourself with knowledge about the prevailing market rates for your role.

Conduct thorough research using resources like salary.com or leverage your professional network to gain insights into industry standards.

Equipped with this information, you can confidently propose a salary range that aligns with your expertise and experience.

Do your homework

Crafting a data-driven argument can bolster your negotiation stance during salary discussions.

Rather than relying solely on personal preferences or vague assurances of contentment with the offered salary, present concrete evidence supporting your value proposition.

Referencing industry benchmarks and your own market value demonstrates a proactive approach to advocating for fair compensation. Striking a balance between assertiveness and flexibility can further underscore your willingness to engage in constructive dialogue.

Ask questions

In cases where uncertainty looms over salary expectations, consider seeking clarification on the salary band for the role.

This approach not only empowers you with valuable insights into the organization’s compensation structure but also provides a framework for anchoring your negotiation strategy.

Armed with knowledge of the salary range, you can position yourself strategically, aiming for a figure that reflects your skills and contributions while remaining within the realm of reason.

Set the bar

Taking a proactive stance by aiming higher than your desired salary can be a savvy negotiation tactic.

By setting the bar slightly above your target, you create room for concessions while signaling your confidence in your worth.

Transparency regarding your salary expectations, coupled with a willingness to engage in meaningful discussions, can foster an environment conducive to negotiation. Remember, if a potential employer values your contributions, they will likely be open to exploring mutually beneficial arrangements.

Broader package

Leverage the discussion on salary expectations as an opportunity to delve into the broader benefits package offered by the organization. Instead of fixating solely on monetary compensation, inquire about additional perks such as health insurance, retirement plans, or professional development opportunities.

This holistic approach demonstrates your consideration of long-term career prospects and organizational fit, transcending the narrow confines of salary negotiations.

Navigating discussions about salary during a job interview can be daunting, but with strategic preparation and a clear understanding of your worth, you can approach these conversations with confidence and poise.

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Money

March surprise: What will the Fed Reserve do this week?

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As anticipation builds ahead of the Federal Reserve’s highly anticipated March meeting, the major US stock indexes have retreated from their record highs, setting the stage for a pivotal week in the financial markets.

On Wednesday, the tension surrounding the Fed’s monetary policy decision will reach its climax.

At 2:00 p.m. ET, the US central bank is scheduled to unveil its latest policy stance and updated economic projections, with investors eagerly awaiting clarity on a crucial question: does the Fed still anticipate three interest rate cuts in 2024?

Recent data indicating persistent inflation levels, contrary to earlier expectations of a rapid decline, has led market forecasts to adjust, now projecting three rate cuts instead of six for the year.

Consequently, the focus shifts to whether the Fed will adjust its stance in response to this prolonged inflationary pressure.

The New York Stock Exchange

Earnings reports

In addition to the Fed’s meeting, this week’s calendar features notable corporate earnings reports, including those from Nike, Lululemon, FedEx, and Micron, scheduled for Thursday.

The IPO market will also witness Reddit’s public debut under the ticker symbol ‘RDDT’ on Thursday, offering insights into the resurgence of new listings in 2024.

Rising food prices drive consumers to embrace buy now, pay later

Meanwhile, Nvidia’s annual GTC conference on Monday will draw attention as investors seek updates on the company’s product roadmap amidst surging demand for its chips driven by the AI boom.

With regards to the Fed, investors are not anticipating any changes to the benchmark interest rates, expected to remain within the range of 5.25%-5.50%, consistent since July last year.

Instead, the focus will be on the Fed’s Summary of Economic Projections (SEP) and Chairman Jerome Powell’s subsequent press conference, which will commence 30 minutes after the policy statement release.

 

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Money

Rising food prices drive consumers to embrace buy now, pay later

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As food inflation continues to grip the nation, more people are turning to buy now, pay later (BNPL) services to navigate the soaring costs of groceries and takeout meals.

With financial pressures mounting and budgets stretched thin, BNPL has emerged as a lifeline for consumers across various income brackets, allowing them to manage their expenses amidst economic uncertainty.

Recent research from PYMNTS Intelligence reveals that approximately 15 million consumers, constituting 6.5% of the US population, relied on BNPL installment loans to cover their grocery bills or manage weekly food expenditures last year.

Buy now, pay later reforms released

Even higher-income households, earning over $100,000 annually, have embraced this payment method, albeit to a lesser extent.

Cost-cutting

The persistently high food prices have prompted households across the income spectrum to adopt cost-cutting measures. While some consumers opt for more affordable grocery stores or compromise on the quality of their purchases, others turn to BNPL to alleviate immediate financial burdens associated with food purchases.

In a bid to attract price-conscious consumers, major food chains like McDonald’s are devising strategies to offer compelling deals and affordable meal options.

However, not everyone is resorting to BNPL for their food purchases.

Some consumers prefer to tighten their belts by dining at home more frequently amid the prevailing economic uncertainty.

Despite the convenience offered by BNPL services, financial experts caution against overreliance on these installment loans.

While BNPL may seem harmless for smaller purchases, there is a risk of accruing unnecessary debt if not managed responsibly.

Delinquent payments could adversely affect one’s credit rating, underscoring the importance of prudent financial management.

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