The Fight for Sex Worker Safety Is Bigger Than Hollywood Recognition
As Anora Basks in Its Post-Oscars Afterglow, The Cupcake Girls and Aylo Push for Safety Beyond Hollywood
When Mikey Madison accepted her Best Actress win at this year’s Oscars for Anora, she used her moment to recognize a community rarely acknowledged on Hollywood’s biggest stage: sex workers.
“I just want to recognize and honor the sex worker community,” she said. “I will continue to support and be an ally.”
It wasn’t the first time Anora’s team made it clear where they stood. At the BAFTAs, Madison dedicated her win to sex workers, and director Sean Baker shared his Best Screenplay Oscar with the sex workers who shaped the film, thanking them for their stories, honesty, and resilience.
Anora follows Ani (Madison), a New York escort who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, leading to a chaotic and dangerous situation as his powerful family attempts to annul the marriage. The film has been both praised and criticized for its portrayal of sex workers. Some within the community appreciated the visibility it provided, while others felt it romanticized the work and failed to fully address the real-world dangers those in the profession face. But regardless of where it lands in that debate, one thing remains clear: public recognition doesn’t guarantee real-world protections for this vulnerable population.
As sex workers gain more mainstream representation, their real-world safety remains precarious. The rise of OnlyFans, which as of late 2023 had over 4 million creators and 305 million registered users, has further embedded adult content within digital creator culture. Meanwhile, Pornhub, with a catalog of over three million videos and 130 million daily visitors, remains the most-visited adult platform in the world. Yet this visibility has not translated into meaningful protections.
Laws like FOSTA-SESTA, meant to combat trafficking, have instead made sex work more dangerous by shutting down platforms that enabled client screening, safety discussions, and peer support. As policies tighten, many creators have lost critical digital spaces for vetting clients and sharing safety tips. Unauthorized content theft threatens their security and income, while fear of legal repercussions silences essential conversations on safety and advocacy.
That’s why The Cupcake Girls, an anti-trafficking and sex worker support nonprofit, teamed up with Aylo, the parent company of Pornhub, to launch Safety Training With The Cupcake Girls. This video series offers practical safety strategies tailored to adult content creators. The launch is part of Aylo’s broader partnership with The Cupcake Girls to combat trafficking and improve online safety for adult performers.
“With so many performers creating their own content, it’s essential they have the right tools to protect and empower themselves,” says Alex Kekesi, VP of Brand and Community at Pornhub, speaking on behalf of Aylo. “It’s an exciting time to be an independent creator, but with more opportunities to connect directly with audiences come new potential threats. We feel it’s imperative to help mitigate those risks.”
Hosted by adult industry veterans Cherie DeVille and Sofia Rose, Safety Training With The Cupcake Girls provides adult creators with critical safety strategies. The first episode,“How To Safely Shoot Your Own Content”, starring Cherie DeVille, covers best practices for filming at home, including consent protocols, STI testing, and digital security. The second episode, “Tips for Working With Talent Agencies”, featuring Sofia Rose, helps performers assess agency representation, navigate contracts, and protect their earnings.
While discussions about sex work often focus on the risks of in-person client work, Sofia Rose highlights the distinct challenges that adult content creators encounter, particularly in the digital realm.
“Working on digital platforms allows for virtual interactions, reducing physical risks,” she explains. “But it also introduces concerns like digital privacy breaches, content piracy, and online harassment. Managing digital security and protecting personal information is critical. Understanding your rights and the available resources can make a significant difference.”
Indeed, Safety Training With The Cupcake Girls fills a vital gap. Whether a creator is figuring out how to safely shoot their first scene, weighing the pros and cons of signing with an agency, or securing their accounts before they go viral, the series offers real advice from people who’ve lived it—not from outsiders who see sex work as a problem to be solved.
“Since 2018, when FOSTA-SESTA passed, it’s continued endangering lives, creating an urgent need for real support and resources,” says Amy-Marie Merrell, Co-Executive Director of The Cupcake Girls. “Performers deserve the tools to make informed decisions about their work and Safety Training With The Cupcake Girls speaks directly to the concerns we hear from the community. ”
“This partnership is an example of what harm reduction looks like,” adds Kekesi. “Not restrictive laws that push workers into more dangerous conditions, but real education that empowers them.”
As platforms, policies, and public opinion continue to shift, one thing is clear: Hollywood’s recognition of sex workers is meaningful, but it isn’t enough. Until real protections exist beyond the screen, the fight for safety will remain far from over.
