Adult film stars have been talking about how much money they make, and the amounts might surprise you. Some earn a lot, while others don’t make as much as people think. Let’s look at what they’ve shared in a way that’s easy to understand.
Lana Rhoades, a well-known adult film star, said that when she was 19 and new to the industry, she didn’t earn much for her scenes. She called it “pickles,” meaning it felt like very little. But other actors say working in adult films has given them money and freedom they might not have found in other jobs.
People have different opinions about this industry. Some actors like it, but others say it doesn’t always pay fairly or support them well. So, how much do they actually make?
Steven Hirsch, who runs a big adult film company called Vivid, told CNBC that new actors can earn more because they’re fresh and exciting. They might get paid extra for certain types of scenes. But how much they keep earning depends on how popular they become.
For a regular scene with one man and one woman, actors usually make between $800 and $1,000. New actors with no one to help them negotiate might only get $300. More famous actors can ask for $1,500 or even $2,000 per scene. If the scene is more intense, they might earn $1,800 to $2,500.
Some actors get paid a lot for their “first” scenes, like ones with more people involved. Those can pay between $2,000 and $6,000. Men in the industry usually earn less, about $500 to $600 per scene. More popular male actors might make $700 to $900, and only the biggest stars get up to $1,500.
Valentina Nappi, another actor, said she made $1,140 for a regular scene when she started in the U.S., even though she was already known. In Europe, male actors might earn $533 or less per scene. Franco Roccaforte, who’s been in the industry a long time, said he used to make $16,000 a month in the 1990s and now won’t take less than $1,000 per scene.
Derek Hay, who helps actors find work, said people often think adult film stars make tons of money, but that’s not always true. Even the biggest stars might earn $300,000 to $400,000 a year, which is a lot, but not as much as some imagine.
The adult film industry pays differently depending on the actor, their fame, and the type of work. It’s a job that can bring in good money for some, but it’s not always as glamorous as it seems.
