Lana Rhoades, for instance, has shared her early experiences in the industry at just 19 years old, describing her compensation as ‘pickles’ for the sex scenes she filmed after being in the industry for only eight months.
This has sparked a broader conversation about the profitability of working in an industry that demands complete exposure.
How much money do adult film stars actually make?Getty Images/ Michael Mohr
So, what do adult film stars actually earn for their on-camera performances?
However, their ongoing earnings depend greatly on their popularity.
However, newcomers without strong representation might only receive as little as $300.
There can be a stark difference in pay between performers.Getty Images/ Sasun Bughdaryan
Derek Hay, the founder of LA Direct Models, told The Independent that performers sometimes receive between $2,000 and $6,000 for shooting one of their “firsts”—like their first scene involving three, four, or more men.
According to CNBC, male performers usually earn $500-600 per scene or per day.
Performers don’t always get paid as much as you might think.Getty Stock Images
In contrast, Luca Ferrero noted that in Europe, male actors typically earn $533 or less per scene.
Hay also commented on the perception of earnings in the adult film industry:
“I don’t think there’s anybody, even the biggest stars, who are making more than half a million a year, but if some of the top stars are making $300,000-400,000 per year, by most people’s perception that would still be a lot of money I think.”
