Veteran Creators Bring Wisdom to AVN Expo Panel ‘Creators 101’

LAS VEGAS—The first day of the 2026 AVN Expo kicked off to enthusiastic crowds, anxious to see the latest and greatest in the world of adult entertainment. An increasing portion of Expo attendees also are interested in creating their own content and want to know what it takes to become a millionaire OnlyFans star, especially with more mainstream acceptance of adult streaming platforms. At the ‘Creators 101’ seminar, a rapt audience of potential adult content creators laughed as the 2025 AVN Favorite Independent Female Creator Mama Plugs said frankly, “Don’t do porn first. I say this every day until I’m blown in the face, that you cannot just go get your arse out and make loads of money. It’s just not the way it happens. It took me 13 years to get where I am. Some people take six months. Sometimes, it’s years. You’ll never know where your path is.” Moderated by industry multi-hyphenate Alex Mack, an A-list roster of top creators spoke about their strategies, struggles and successes on adult social media and streaming platforms. Speakers included U.K.-based Plugs, Legendary (formerly known as John Legendary), Brazzers contract star Kayley Gunner, MyFreeCams model and AVN CAMStar, Kasara Wood, creator-producer-performer Jak Knife and popular Brazzers contract stud Girthmasterr, as well as Ian O’Brien, director of PASS Certified performer testing service. The first topic tackled by the panel was, perhaps unexpectedly, performer STI testing certified by industry healthcare provider which is required protocol on studio sets but may not be as familiar to solo and cam performers or less-experienced collaborating content creators who perform only for their own platforms. O’Brien gave an in-depth explanation of standard performer STI testing protocols but also spoke to the importance of sexual wellness and mental health for performers. Consent was next up for discussion, when Mack asked each of the panelists to talk about their approach to collab partners. “Before we even film anything, I want to make sure, you know, what’s your dos and your don’ts. You know—what things you like, what things you really don’t like, what you’re excited about—because I want to make sure it’s a good experience for both you and I, so, I just ask a lot of questions like that,” Legendary explained. “Then, during the shooting, I want to check in. I’m paying attention to nonverbal cues, your body language and, you know, if we need to take a break. If I see some type of distraught face or something painful, you know, check in. It’s okay to cut the camera and start back when they’re assuring you that they’re okay. So, that’s what I’d say for people to do,” he continued. Mack then asked about the best way to approach people for collabs, from the perspective of the sought-after stars who can attract attention and traffic when they appear with up-and-coming creators. “Just be very nice, polite, and I try to show them I’m a gentleman, not a creep or a pervert just trying to get laid,” Legendary added, noting that he also looks for potential collab partners who have professional experience and are enthusiastic about shooting content. Both Gunner and Legendary also work on studio sets, in addition to creating their own content. “Just touching on what John said—same thing. When people are nice and just have a good reputation, word gets around, and I think it makes performers who are more established want to work with that person,” Gunner commented. “For example, when John was coming to the industry, I heard about him and all the girls had such great things to say about him. He was such a gentleman to them on set. I think that’s really important. I don’t really have any bad examples because I haven’t had it happen to me yet—but just don’t be a douche. That’s it,” she added. Knife gave advice on the best way to approach him for a collab. “Like a simple DM kind of goes a long way, if you’re nice and kind of present an idea. I think some things to shy away from are a lot of follow up DMs—that happens a lot. I would say, I mean, one follow up is fine, maybe a couple of months later. “Another thing that has happened a few times is at conventions, people come up and say things like, ‘You never responded to my DM.’ It makes for a very awkward moment. I think a better approach would be to go up to the creator and just have a genuine conversation with them. And hopefully that will lead them to checking your DM and yeah, we can go from there,” Knife continued. Aussie star Girthmasterr said he keeps his approach simple and straightforward for collabs. “I’ve always used the same opening message since I started—‘Hey, hope you’re well (smiley face). I’d love to work with you sometime if you’re open to it.’ “Of course, do your homework, as well, to make sure that they actually do collaborations. You don’t want to DM somebody that obviously doesn’t do collaborations. It just shows you haven’t done your homework on them. You don’t really care about what they’re about. You’re just trying to shoot with them,” he continued. “And as Jak was saying, you know, a lot of people reach out constantly. You can flick through and there’ll be 20 unread messages from them, and they don’t really get the hint,” Girthmasterr said in a smooth Aussie drawl. “That kind of gives a feeling that they’re probably going to be pushy and not that good to work with.” Wood and Plugs (who only appears solo or with her husband) are examples of successful creators that don’t collab often or at all and have built significant followings who prefer their style of content. “I did start originally as a solo creator,” Wood explained. “I branched out, but I always suggest—especially women getting into this industry—to understand their own sexuality and what they’re comfortable with. “Starting out solo is a great option and a lot of the times the fans want to connect with you individually. It’s a great way to grow, using other safe-for-work platforms and developing your brand so that your fans get to know you, fall in ‘like’ with you, then fall in love with you, and then follow you elsewhere,” she described. “As well as working with photographers, videographers and still reaching out and making a network of people and collaborations, even if they’re non-explicit collaborations.” For hopeful content creators just starting out, all the panelists agreed that it was most important to establish a social media following first—before ever posting explicit clips or photos—rather than presenting themselves as an adult performer, then trying to stand out from millions of competitors on dozens of adult streaming platforms.  “Grow your social media,” Plugs emphasized. “I’ll post weird comedy skits and just odd stuff and then, generally speaking, my social media is incredibly PG—well as PG as possible for somebody who does anal for a living. “So, it’s all about like people appreciating your brand, knowing who you are, it’s a lot of personality-based stuff and I think you don’t need to do it… I just like the fact that you have got a choice and it’s fantastic to do it, it’s fantastic not to do it. As long as your comfortability is Number One, it’s fine… I’ve always been very creative and I love skits, I love comedy, I really appreciate the creative social media side of things. So, porn’s fun but it’s my social media I enjoy the most,” she said. For anyone ready to get “their arse out,” as Plugs had said earlier, an audience member asked an important question about the very permanent nature on content posted online, even behind a streaming platform’s paywall or deviously dropped on social media—what if a would-be creator changes their mind? The veteran creators advised cautious contemplation for newcomers before posting that first piece of content. “I tend to stay away from working with really new creators because they may have not thought of the implications of being seen on the internet forever. Once it leaks, it’s leaked it’s on forums and people’s phones and hard drives. It’s out there forever, so I shy away from working with new creators that may not undertand, they have to accept the fact that the content is going to be out there forever,” Legendary explained. “If someone’s new to the industry and I’m gonna shoot with them, I really make sure that they understand the gravity of that, you know, if you’ve considered your family finding out, or your future employees finding out in 20-years’ time, right? “We all know that can happen to us,” he said, as the other panelists nodded in agreement. Compelling industry perspectives and personalities are featured at the AVN Expo’s scheduled seminars, taking place throughout the tradeshow until January 24, at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. Photo by Jeff Koga