OnlyFans star in 'golden handcuffs' exposes truth about how much can be earned on the platform

One of OnlyFans’ most recognizable creators is opening up about the reality behind the platform’s earnings, and why, despite its lucrative grip, it now makes up just a small fraction of her five-figure monthly income.

Robyn Richards, 27, built her name on bold, boundary-pushing content and amassed a loyal Instagram following of more than 250,000. But while many assume OnlyFans is still her main source of money, she reveals it now accounts for less than 10% of her total revenue, thanks to the success of her other creative ventures. Yet, despite the affluence of her various side hustles, the pull of the erotic platform remains strong, as she talks exclusively to VT.

The 'golden handcuffs' of OnlyFans

“It’s really difficult to speak about because I still do OnlyFans,” she explains. “I’m just focusing more on personalized content for fans. But the problem is that it’s really hard to step away from the money — it’s like golden handcuffs.”

Rather than quitting outright, Richards is gradually redefining her role on the platform. “I’m changing my relationship with the platform, I’ve just been creating less, and I am still giving fans the personalized content,” she says, adding: “Maybe my angle should be that I’m still using the platform, just in a different light.”

That “different light” reflects a broader shift in her career. After originally studying Fine Art at university, she’s now returning to what she knows best, focusing on painting and launching a handmade jewellery line, including steel chain pieces inspired by her online persona.

“I’ve always seen explicit content as an art form, not just something for pleasure,” she says. But over time, that perspective changed. “When you work in that world for too long, you can get desensitized. Life starts to feel… dull.”

What began as creative expression eventually became more mechanical. “You stop creating for fun — it becomes a job, a cycle. You start thinking, is this going to get clicks? Will this work?”

Now, she’s rediscovering creativity in simpler, more unexpected places, even finding inspiration in things like “drain water”, as she reconnects with the experimental mindset she had as a student.

Lifting the lid on the reality of typical OnlyFans income

Her story also highlights a wider misconception about earnings on the platform. While Richards has diversified her income, she’s clear that her experience isn’t typical.

“You have to have a very strong mind to keep up with this job. It’s not easy money at all,” she says. “People think it is, but most creators aren’t making anywhere near minimum wage.”

She adds bluntly: “That’s why you have like the top percent, 2%, 0% — because, you know, 98% of people who are on a platform are making f**k all… less than a minimum wage job.”

For Richards, the future is less about viral success and more about authenticity, even if that means stepping away from the security OnlyFans once provided.

“I’m not chasing clicks anymore,” she says. “I’m just trying to make something real again.”

Featured Image. Credit: Robyn Richards