In a significant shift within the adult entertainment industry, sex workers have launched a new platform called Hidden, aimed at providing creators with greater control over their profits and working conditions. Founded by Stella Barey, who gained popularity on TikTok during the pandemic, Hidden serves as a direct response to existing platforms like OnlyFans, which many creators feel do not adequately support their needs.
Billed as the “anti-OnlyFans,” Hidden debuted in April 2025 and was designed to empower adult content creators. Barey, who transitioned from a successful career on OnlyFans—earning $8,000 in her first month and eventually reaching $300,000 in a single month—recognized the challenges faced by her peers in an industry that often places heavy burdens on creators.
Barey explained that many sex workers bear the responsibility of promoting their content on social media platforms, leading to high levels of burnout. “We have to drive all the traffic from our social media to OnlyFans by ourselves,” she noted. Hidden addresses this issue by incorporating a discoverability feature akin to TikTok’s ForYou page, which allows creators to share their work more effectively and reach a wider audience.
The platform operates with a 18 percent commission fee, slightly lower than OnlyFans’ 20 percent. Hidden also offers unique protections, including charge-back protections up to $2,500, aimed at preventing fraudulent disputes from customers. “Eighty percent of a creator’s income comes from selling long-form videos or special bundles,” Barey added, emphasizing the importance of diversifying income streams.
In a recent announcement, Lana Rhoades, a prominent figure in the adult film industry, was introduced as Hidden’s new co-owner and chief creative officer. With an impressive track record that includes multiple industry awards, Rhoades is committed to fostering a collaborative environment for creators. She criticized the lack of transparency prevalent in many existing platforms, stating, “Creators are often left guessing about shadowbans, payout issues, or why their content suddenly stops performing.”
Hidden, while still in its infancy, boasts 115,000 users and over 2,200 creators, predominantly women. The platform’s long-term vision includes the establishment of a comprehensive creative ecosystem that could encompass a clothing line, feature films, educational symposiums, and live events. Additionally, Barey plans to incorporate artificial intelligence features to assist creators in managing customer relationships and pricing, offering these services at no cost to creators.
The launch of Hidden comes at a time when the adult content industry is facing increased scrutiny and regulatory changes. Most notably, OnlyFans announced it will start conducting background checks for new content creators in the United States, a move that has raised concerns among sex workers about their rights and opportunities in the industry.
Despite the challenges, Barey remains optimistic about the future of sex work and Hidden’s role within it. “With all of these changes around age-verification laws and the rise of conservatism, it’s been really nice knowing that I’ve already built this platform that we’re not all going to just get kicked off of tomorrow,” she stated confidently.
As Hidden prepares for its first promotional event, the Goon-A-Thon, scheduled for December 4, it aims to reward top creators and engage users with exciting new features. With Rhoades’ involvement and a commitment to creator empowerment, Hidden positions itself as a transformative force in the adult entertainment landscape.
