Chloe Cherry has weighed in on season three of Euphoria as the show draws backlash over its depiction of sex work.
The new season jumps ahead five years and follows Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) as she starts using OnlyFans to earn money for her wedding.
That storyline has prompted strong reactions, with several scenes singled out by critics who argue the show’s approach to sex work — and to Cassie’s character — is sensationalized.
Although Euphoria has long been associated with stark portrayals of addiction and sexuality, some viewers feel the latest episodes push beyond what’s necessary and into gratuitous territory.
Among the moments drawing the most attention are scenes in which Cassie takes part in “puppy play” with Nate (Jacob Elordi), appearing in a puppy outfit while he holds a leash.
Another scene shows her fully nude with ice cream melting down her body.
One of the most controversial sequences features Cassie dressed like a baby, with a pacifier in her mouth, positioned with her legs open while filming content.
Cherry — who previously worked as an adult film performer — has now shared her perspective on the show’s handling of the subject, telling refinery29 that “it has nothing to do with empowerment”.
She also pointed to the growing visibility of OnlyFans as something tied more to financial pressure than to liberation, noting how it’s become an option for people who feel they’re running out of alternatives.
Cherry said: “For me, it just feels crazy as fuck to see somebody living like Cassie turn to sex work. Like… Holy shit, that’s where we’re at in society?!”
She continued: “OnlyFans and sex work has become more normalized, but it’s literally only because of capitalism and the economy getting worse.
“It has nothing to do with empowerment or power.”
Cherry added that for many people, the appeal of OnlyFans is closely linked to practicality: it can be done from home and may feel less risky than in-person work such as escorting or stripping, which can make it seem like a more accessible way to bring in extra money.
With living costs rising and well-paid jobs harder to secure, she argued that many are being pushed toward the platform out of necessity rather than genuine preference.
“The economy is horrible, that’s why people are turning to it,” she said. “I really think that OnlyFans is a crazy, weird phenomenon of the 2020s I will look back on and be very confused by.”
At the same time, some creators have said the platform gives them more control over boundaries, scheduling, and the way their content is produced compared with other forms of work in the industry.
OnlyFans generated some generated $7.2 billion in revenue in 2024, and while some account earns millions of dollars, the average monthly earnings is around $131.