Undercover with Brendan Koerner: The Truth Behind the OnlyFans’ Business
Undercover with Brendan Koerner: The Truth Behind the OnlyFans’ Business
OnlyFans has emerged as a platform that offers more than just explicit content. In a recent episode of “Back in America,” host Stan Berteloot sat down with acclaimed journalist Brendan Koerner to discuss his undercover journey into the business of OnlyFans through his Wired cover story. The conversation, filled with surprising revelations and behind-the-scenes insights, uncovers the truth about what really happens on this controversial platform.
The Seduction of Digital Intimacy
“OnlyFans is a platform that primarily connects adult performers with subscribers,” Koerner explained. “Subscribers pay a monthly fee to access explicit content, but the real draw is the ability to have a direct, intimate conversation with the creators.” This allure of personalized attention and direct messaging has skyrocketed OnlyFans into a booming business, where creators can forge personal connections with their fans.
Koerner’s curiosity was piqued when he learned about the platform’s deeper layers. “One of the most intriguing aspects,” he shared, “is that many successful creators outsource their interactions to chat specialists. These specialists, often based in countries like Mexico, impersonate the creators to handle the overwhelming number of messages.” The concept of hiring someone to impersonate a creator and manage their intimate conversations was both fascinating and ethically complex.
Undercover and In Too Deep
Koerner’s journey into this shadowy world began with a chance encounter. “I met an OnlyFans creator who used to be a software engineer. She told me she was making so much money that she hired a management agency to run her account,” he recalled. This revelation led Koerner to wonder about the lives of these chat specialists and the nature of their work.
Unable to find chatters willing to talk, Koerner decided to go undercover. “I realized the best way to understand this world was to become a part of it. So, I applied for a job as a chatter,” he said. His first assignment was writing dialogues for an AI training company based in Serbia. “I had to write explicit conversations between an imaginary creator and subscribers to train their bots,” he revealed. “It was exhausting and creatively draining.”
After resigning from the AI job, Koerner finally landed a position with a German management agency. “I was given a 12-page dossier about the creator I was impersonating. It included everything from her favorite emojis to her childhood memories,” he shared. “Starting my first shift was intimidating. I had to juggle dozens of conversations at once, responding to everything from sexual fantasies to mundane daily woes.”
The Emotional Toll of Impersonation
The emotional complexity of his role was not lost on Koerner. “There were times when the conversations were deeply moving. One client, a single dad and truck driver, shared his struggles with me,” he said. “I wanted to comfort him as a fellow parent, but I had to stay in character as a 21-year-old woman.”
This dissonance between reality and impersonation led to ethical questions. “Is it fraud? Are these men being manipulated?” Koerner pondered. “Many subscribers, I believe, know on some level that they’re not really talking to the person they see on the screen. It’s a case of ignorance is bliss.”
The Future of Digital Intimacy
As Koerner’s investigation wrapped up, he reflected on the future of OnlyFans and similar platforms. “There’s a push towards AI chatbots replacing human chatters, but I think we’re still a few years away from that. The human touch is crucial for creating those emotional bonds,” he concluded.
Brendan Koerner’s undercover journey into OnlyFans exposes the platform’s seductive blend of digital intimacy and savvy business operations. His story highlights the emotional and ethical complexities of a world where fantasy and reality blur, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the future of online relationships.