Layla Kelly won best New Zealand female porn star at the Australian Adult Industry Awards for her work on OnlyFans in May. 

Two years ago she was working in finance. 

But after the birth of her son in 2021, Layla decided she didn’t want to go back to being “chained to a desk”. 

As part of our new series Red Light Boys, Re: News spoke to the Porirua local about her experience in the industry and why she loves her job. 

What does your work look like?

So my work is predominantly online and virtual. So I exchange sexual commodities or services for money with my clients. And I do that mostly from home, hotels or Airbnbs, either by myself or with other creators who are doing a similar thing.

And how many different revenue streams are you running?

So I take most of my payments through OnlyFans. There's a whole bunch of different services that can be offered on OF: your standard subscription, video calls, custom content, sexting, underwear selling, ratings. You can branch out and clients like so many different things.

How much money are you making?

Last year, I turned over just over $200,000, solely from sex work. But I am highly aware that I don't want to glamorise the industry, because for some creators they may be earning a lot more, but some may be earning a lot less. The industry is volatile. You might have an amazing month, and then the month afterwards may not be as amazing. I have an accountant. And I have a financial advisor. I just save as much money as possible. 

What does an average workday look like?

The thing about this industry is it never sleeps, it's not 9-5, Monday to Friday, you have to be ready to jump on the leads when they're hot. I try to do my online bookings between the hours of 9am to 2pm, and then sometimes I'll take some easy ones later at night. 

Another role that's pretty 24/7 is being a mum, have you found it difficult to manage work and parenting? 

I get to choose the hours that I work and I have the freedom to decide to turn my phone off and spend that time with my family. Not everybody gets those opportunities. One part of the job that I really love is the flexibility. 

How much money are you making from selling your underwear?

Generally, people will come to me and they'll tell me a little bit about what type of underwear they like. Everyone has different tastes and everyone wants different things. I start off with a base rate so you can get a pair of underwear for $65. They can request add ons. Signed Polaroid photos. They want you to wear them after you have sex, they want you to work out in them. And from there I'll just add additional costs.

What is your brand?

I'm just an average Kiwi mum. So there's nothing extraordinary about me, I could be your next door neighbour. A lot of subs like the thought that you're just a normal chick, a normal mum, not a professional porn star. 

Do you enjoy the work?

I really do compared to my other jobs, I wouldn't ever go back. There are so many parts of my job that I really love. I have control over my earning potential. I love being able to set my own boundaries and having autonomy over the type of work that I do. 

I wouldn't say that sex work itself is empowering. But I would say all of the things I love about it are. The benefits that I get off the back of sex work, that's really empowering for me. 

I also strongly believe that sex work doesn't need to be empowering to be accepted within society. There are so many other industries where people use their body for services. You could argue that bricklayers and carpenters are using their body for the service. Sports people. If you're working at a corporate, you sit at a desk all day – the damage that does to your body. But they aren't getting questions the same way. 

Have you found the job safe?

It can be vulnerable work. And people do try to push the boundaries. When I first started, I didn't really know exactly what my boundaries were and what was right and wrong. That only comes with experience and having friends in the industry. 

It can be hard when people are offering you money and if you’re in a situation where you desperately need money then it may start to blur your boundaries. 

What do you think makes you good at your job? 

I just try to be myself on my platform as much as possible. Most subs are looking for a genuine connection with a real person. Otherwise, they will just go and watch porn online for free. 

I don't employ anyone to manage my messages for me, I do all of that myself. I think my subs can feel that and a lot of them are looking for that personal connection. 

Some of them just want to chat. They just want to talk about their dad passing away or work stressors. It's that personal connection that they’re potentially missing in their life and they’re feeling a little bit lonely. 

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