The Day My Webcam Became Famous!
Since the UK government's "pornblock" were implemented, there has been much talk about sexworkers, with camgirls being a part of this often misunderstood, group.
Uninitiated clients can either pay for a private video chat with a sexworker or watch a live streaming. It has been a huge part of adult entertainment for the last decade. But despite being an honest job, there are many misconceptions about it.
We talked to Jade to find out what it's really like to be a cam girl. From having her videos pirated and dealing with SWERFs, to juggling work and dating and why cam girls and freelancers are similar.
How and when did you start webcamming
I started camming last June. The first thing that happened was on Babestation. I met a friend there who showed me MyFreeCams. I thought, "Yeah, I want to do this, it sounds cool." She told me how much money she makes and I was very interested.
What is your annual income?
The amount you earn each month will vary greatly. Some months I didn't want to work, but still came out with $4,000. Other months you work hard and get more than that.
How much money have you earned in one broadcast?
It was my first broadcast. In two hours, my friend and I made $1,600.
How did it start? Was it easy for you to be in front of a camera at first or did that take some time?
I was confident right away! I have a background in fitness modelling, and I am very confident about my body.
How often do you broadcast a week?
Four times per week on average.
Are your clients usually loyal or do you have a variety of customers?
I dislike the terms 'clients or fans'. Recently, I started calling them my "Jade Squad" because I consider many of them to be friends... I speak directly to them. Since my Babestation days I have a solid base of loyal followers. When I began full-time camming, I gained a number more. It depends on the time that you are camming because your audience will change. My regular viewers know when I usually cam but if I came in a little later, I got a lot of new people and more Americans.
Are you a frequent performer of private shows
They're loyal fans. I will speak to them the day before, or they may message me saying "I want a Private", and then I will say "I am on at this time", and they'll show up for their privates.
What is the most common question you receive when you perform privates?
The most common request I get is to watch someone wank and then use a dildo myself on nude cams.
Which is the most bizarre?
One guy asked me to poop on my legs. I declined because I don't like watersports. Any activity that involves urinating, or worse, I avoid. But everything else is fine.
What is the reaction of people when you tell them about what you do?
Some people will just say, "Oh good for you! ", but others have opinions and will just ask "Do you lack self-respect?" Or "Why don't get a regular job?"
What does your family think about your job?
My mum cried when she found out and refused to speak to me for one week. As you can imagine, my three brothers are very protective. Only one of my brothers knows what I do. The other two only know that I model and do adult webcams, but that is all they know. My mum also knows nothing more. My dad, his spouse and one of my siblings are the only ones who know what I do. My dad contacted me and said that he wanted me to be happy, and not sacrifice my choices or body for money. They were okay with this, but my mum and two other brothers are more old-school and can't really understand. I am very grateful to have a father who has tried to open mum's mind and said "Look, it's still young, you can earn money now".
Does camming affect your dating life?
It was only recently that I broke up with my former partner because I discovered he had been cheating because he believed my job meant I was cheating. I believe this was an excuse. People only care about "Jade", not the real me. I have stopped dating because I do not want to date a man who has DM'd me on Instagram if they only see "Jade" and the false me.
Have you ever considered stopping camming?
No, never. I'd rather be alone, with my family, friends and support system.
Does camming make a difference in your sexual life?
Yes! Sometime I will come off camera and be like, "I'm super-horny, and I need some dick", but other times I am in relationships, and because I get so tired of speaking and performing in a sexual manner for weeks, I don't want sex. I've become more sexually open and have discovered many new fetishes.
Has anyone ever met you in person?
I have only met one man, and it was a very organised meeting. He was very nice and paid for my time. We went to dinner together and had a great time. I made sure that everything was legal before. Most of the time, guys are embarrassed to say hello to you. When I walk down the street, or am on the train, or whatever it is I do I can tell the difference between guys looking at me and saying "Oh she's beautiful" or "Oh that's Jade". I get a lot looks like that. I'm the type of person to say "Come on up and say hello", like I don't really care.
Do you remember receiving a gift from a fan before?
I got a package from a guy with YSL, Valentino and Gucci.
What are the benefits of camming, apart from gifts?
It is the ability to work where and when you choose. As long as I'm connected to the internet, have my laptop, and my webcam with me, I can work anywhere in the world. I make a lot of friends and get paid a lot, much more than I did in my 40-hour-a-week position. Finding myself was the most rewarding experience.
Worst experience?
It was difficult to cope with the first time I had a number of my shows recorded. I was unable to deal with the situation and all of my shows were posted on Pornhub. My three brothers are my age, and I don't want them to see me. Some girls will also message you to ask "Why is your boyfriend interested in what you do?" Some people will call you a dirty slag and others will tell me I don't deserve life. There have been times when I was really affected by these things, but I think I am a lot stronger than them.
What are your self-care strategies when the abuse affects your mental health?
Showers are a great way to clear your mind. On days when I don't have anyone to see, I will call someone and we can talk about anything. For me, going to the gym is a great way to release any anger or upset. It's also hard to not look at social media constantly, because you feel like you have to be on the phone all day. You have to force yourself to take a break. I've realized that I need to have time for myself.
Was camming as you expected or very different?
It's been a smooth ride for me because I started off so well. But I didn't realise how much abuse I would get or how people would treat. It's not something I expected. And when you have a bad time, you kick yourself, asking "Why aren't people tipping me?" You start to doubt yourself.
Has your job changed in the last few years since new UK Porn Laws?
Sincerity, I would not say that anything has changed in my job.
Has camming altered your view of feminism or what it means to today's woman?
It taught me to be firm, because many women claim to be feminists but will tear other women to shreds when they are adult entertainers.
What are the most common misconceptions about girls in cam?
People think I am a sex-monster, or I'm always high on drugs. Many people also think you have to be a bit of a snob to work in this industry, such as having daddy issues. But I love my job and it gives me a sense of empowerment.
