Cam Models Share 'Camdemic Tales' at AEE Panel

LOS ANGELES—“A lot of models already have training for isolation,” said MyFreeCams model Mighty Emelia, one of four speakers at the “Camdemic” panel at the all-digital AVN Adult Entertainment Expo. “Camming was boot camp for the pandemic.” Moderated from his home in Brazil on January 23 by Alex Lecomte, managing director for 7 Veils, who knew he needed only to ask quick questions and then step back to get four cam-savvy professionals talking, the panel revealed the techniques and concerns of women who were veterans of showing up “camera-ready” for hours at a time long before the lockdown started. Mighty Emelia was joined by Lana Del Bae from Chaturbate, Lindsey Banks from Stripchat, and Maye Daye from Flirt4Free—each of whom is based in the United States. They discussed press coverage and public perception of cam models, time management, the financial effect of quarantine living, and dealing with both newcomers to camming and sex workers in other fields. “Camming saved my life,” said Lana Del Bae—a statement that got nods of agreement from the others. She said that the job allowed her to have the financial wherewithal to be independent. And she said that, since the lockdown started, “my cam room is a positive place for my members and me to share a safe space.” Each panelist noticed a marked increase in attendance in their cam rooms over the last several months, as millions more people were working from home or unemployed, but the increased attendance didn’t necessarily translate into more revenue. If earnings by the end of the year were consistent with other years, they were also marked by wild fluctuations as restrictions were lifted or reimposed around the country and world. Maye Daye, who also had to juggle homeschooling her child, said she noticed that more people were inclined to tip, if not large amounts, “and the lows were the lows, but the highs were the freakin’ highs.” Mainstream reporting on cam models and their income evoked some concern, as the panel felt reporting was selective and biased. As Mighty Emelia said, “(many) reporters write about (cam models) in ways that only add to the stigma.” She referenced a headline “Jobless Woman Now Working on Onlyfans,” and said that she was frustrated that the “positivity cam models bring to people’s lives is not being reported on.” Still, Lindsey Banks stressed that performers, who are often called on for promotional work and who are the public faces of their platforms, would appreciate those platforms “stepping up” more for charity or for performer relief. While acknowledging contests that encouraged models to work more, Banks said that increasing payouts to models would also help. As businesspeople, each model employed a different time management structure, with Del Bae stressing consistency as paramount for both herself and her fans. “I plan my schedule a month in advance,” she said. “One way to stay relevant as a cam model is to stay online, so that people know when to find you.” Evoking a fan, she said, “I know when I go online that this lovely lady will be there.” Along with reports in the mainstream press of cam models getting rich, moderator Alex Lecomte asked the panelists to comment on the effect of newcomers to the cam world. “We’ve got to welcome them with open arms,” said Banks, adding that people needed to de-escalate fears of porn stars “crossing over” to camming and vice versa. “We have a lot to learn from each other.” To see the full panel on AVNStars, click here.