Declaration of Independence: Female Athletes Take Control of Their Sexual Narrative

Newsweek

a day ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Portrait of Alysha Newman
Portrait of Alysha Newman
ILICH MEJIA
Olympic pole vaulter Alysha Newman is taking control of her athletic career with the help of OnlyFans—which has become a means for professional sportswomen to find their voice, establish their personal brand and fund their dreams.
The platform may be more popularly known for its links to pornography, but it has gained a reputation for empowering content creators to craft personalized photos, videos and messages; interact directly with fans; and receive monetary compensation.
"I wanted full control over my image, my brand, and how I connect with fans. OnlyFans gave me that autonomy," Newman, who won bronze in the 2024 Summer Olympics and holds Canadian national and Commonwealth Games records, told Newsweek. "For years, athletes, especially women, have been told how to present themselves. I wanted to flip that narrative and own it. It's not just a platform for content, it's a platform for independence."
Alysha Newman of Team Canada competes in the Women's Pole Vault Final on day twelve of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 07, 2024 in Paris, France.
Alysha Newman of Team Canada competes in the Women's Pole Vault Final on day twelve of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 07, 2024 in Paris, France.
Cameron Spencer/Getty
Athletes give their all in competition, but many quit before achieving as much
success as they could have because they cannot afford to keep going. Experts have estimated that it can cost an athlete training for the Olympic Games around $100,000 per year for coaching alone. They also have to make time to train, narrowing job options.
Those competing in the world's more popular sports often have an easier time finding sponsorship. Men's sports tend to be better funded, with high-dollar broadcasting rights and sponsorship deals feeding their leagues and competitions. Plus, a larger audience translates to higher merchandise sales.
While countries such as the United States have passed laws (Title IX) creating a legal equal playing field for opportunity, the reality is less than ideal. Enter OnlyFans. Some female athletes showcase their bodies in sexual imagery on the digital platform, but others are leaving all their clothes on. For many, content varies and lives alongside the ability for fans to access training plans, get insight on the athlete's training schedule and learn about their charitable endeavors.
Sharing the Highs and Lows
"I create a wide range of content, and it's been really refreshing to share more than just diving—or at least more than just the highlight," Ellie Smart, a Red Bull cliff diving athlete, told Newsweek. "There's so much that goes into my career behind the scenes: the highs and lows, the joy, the setbacks, the hustle. Sharing all of it—not just the polished moments—has made the experience feel more real, and honestly, more fulfilling."
Ellie Smart, a Red Bull cliff diving athlete.
Ellie Smart, a Red Bull cliff diving athlete.
Red Bull Media
Newman said of her content: "It's authentic, confident, and curated by me. I share behind-the-scenes moments, athletic lifestyle content, training previews, travel diaries and, yes, glam content that highlights strength and femininity. It's a full spectrum of who I am, unapologetically."
The platform's terms of service allow content creators more freedoms than social media, for example. "There were a lot of reasons behind my decision to start an OnlyFans. At my core, I've always been drawn to creativity, pushing boundaries and finding new ways to innovate—especially within my sport. OnlyFans gives me the freedom to do that on my own terms," Smart said.
"Platforms like TikTok have flagged and removed some of my dive videos for so-called 'nudity' or even 'suicidal behavior,' which is not only frustrating but also completely misunderstands the athleticism and skill behind what I do," she continued.
"At the same time, I've seen my viral dives shared across major social media pages that profit off the content—while I get nothing in return. That just doesn't feel fair. OnlyFans gives me control. I can monetize my content if I choose to (my main page is currently free) and, more importantly, I can post what I want without worrying about it getting taken down, misrepresented, or exploited for someone else's gain. It's about creative ownership, respect for my work and having a platform that actually supports the direction I want to go."
Ellie Smart prepares for a dive.
Ellie Smart prepares for a dive.
Red Bull Media
The money raised from their presence on the platform allows them to be pickier about other sponsorship deals and makes them less reliant on those contracts. That independence is flipping the traditional marketing equation for female athletes.
"Financial independence is power and it's helped me make smarter business moves and reinvest in my athletic goals and personal brand," Newman said.
Image Control
Working on their own platform also means athletes can express themselves in ways that are true and comfortable to them, on their terms.
"As an athlete, we are expected to be 'female athletes.' This means we can't own our power. Confidence, in any aspect, is shamed. If I know I'm going to win, I'm going to say it," Sabrina Stanley, a professional ultrarunner, told Newsweek. "In relation to confidence, women are asked to wear tiny shorts and sports bras but not lean into this image too hard. The industry can sexualize our bodies and make money off our images, but if the athlete takes the power and sexualizes herself, there is an issue.
Professional ultrarunner Sabrina Stanley running through mountain terrain.
Professional ultrarunner Sabrina Stanley running through mountain terrain.
Ri Ganey
"Men can be more forthcoming, revealing skin, and it is viewed as an athletic body, a powerful runner. As a female, I don't feel it is acceptable for me to present in the same way. With OnlyFans, I can say, 'Look at the work I've put in. This is my body; I'm proud, and I'll make money off it, not the industry,'" she said.
Reliance on sponsor contracts can be difficult for athletes performing at the top of their game, and even harder for those who haven't peaked yet or are nearing retirement age.
"The hardships I have encountered are injuries, the pressure to always perform, often [being] very lonely due to it being an individual sport and while managing things like funding, sponsorships and being under the public eye all at once. You feel completely respected when you're winning and [there's] no one to be seen when you aren't," Newman said.
While the athletes may see OnlyFans content as a means to an end, they are still in business, creating a brand and working to gain a following. This means they need to deliver content that their subscribers want. "They love the duality. The Olympian-meets-beauty, bold and feminine energy. One day it's training footage, the next it's a red-carpet moment or even asking fans what I look better in. I've learned to give them that balance: performance and polish. But I always lead with what feels authentic. My community supports me because they know it's real," Newman said.
Despite the realness, there is still a stigma surrounding female nudity and OnlyFans content. And there's the matter of telling loved ones, friends and potential romantic partners about having an account. "My friends and family were nothing but supportive. They reminded me that I've worked incredibly hard to build a unique career and that there's nothing wrong with owning that and creating space to share it on my own terms," Smart said.
Newman echoed this: "My friends and family thought it was one of the smartest ideas I've ever had. They recognized really quickly how amateur athletes were undervalued and never seen."
Stanley said: "There are a lot of people out there who don't fully understand what OnlyFans is.... A man running up a mountain without a shirt on doesn't make him less respected, nor should it for a woman.
Sabrina Stanley during an outdoor adventure in the mountains.
Sabrina Stanley during an outdoor adventure in the mountains.
Ri Ganey
"I desecrate my body to run 100 miles, and no one has ever told me to stop, to treat my body with more respect. But if I show a little nudity? I should be honoring my body more? If showing my physique overshadows my accomplishments, that is coming from someone who has no idea what it means to race 100 miles—I don't have time for that."
Frequently, athletes are sponsored by athleticwear brands. OnlyFans frees them of obligations to those companies. "I can pick the best running pack, rain jacket, shoes, poles...anything. Then I can be 100 percent honest with my audience about my experience with that gear without feeling like I am a snake oil salesman. This is how I wish all athletes could communicate with their audience," Stanley said.
Gaining Confidence
For some athletes, OnlyFans hasn't just changed their ability to be successful, it has also altered their lives in more impactful ways. "One of the most surprising and powerful things to come from joining OnlyFans has been the confidence I've gained in myself. I didn't expect it, but it's made me feel more empowered and in control of my image, my narrative and my life than ever before," Smart said.
Canada's Alysha Newman on the podium for the women's pole vault final at the 2024 Paris Olympics on August 8, 2024, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, France.
Canada's Alysha Newman on the podium for the women's pole vault final at the 2024 Paris Olympics on August 8, 2024, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, France.
Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty
"That sense of ownership—over my body, my work and how I share myself with the world—has been the most positive and unexpected shift in this whole journey."
Slate, Stanley and Newman have their athletic endeavors sponsored by OnlyFans as part of the company's marketing plan.