After an entire season of "Euphoria" that spotlighted Sydney Sweeney's character as an OnlyFans influencer, Sam Levinson, the show's creator, has some thoughts on the platform. Levinson, who has built a career exploring the complexities of young women's lives, recently shared his perspective on "Real Time With Bill Maher." Despite the show's criticism, Levinson questions the backlash, pondering if a more positive portrayal would have garnered a different response.
“You know, we take a fairly critical look at it. It hollows out the individual. You know, you’re constantly just depending on the likes and external validation,” Levinson said.
Levinson didn’t hold back, comparing OnlyFans to Hollywood itself. “If you look at OnlyFans, it is making as much money as Hollywood. I mean, essentially it’s on par,” he told Maher. He mused that the platform's appeal might be its promise of quick earnings without the traditional 9-to-5 grind. This exploration of fast cash is something Levinson finds intriguing, especially considering the parallels to his industry of choice.
Yet, Levinson's observations didn't go unnoticed. With "Euphoria's" third season facing lukewarm reviews – sitting at 44% on Rotten Tomatoes – OnlyFans creators were among its critics. Sydney Leathers called the portrayal "ridiculous and cartoonish" in a recent Variety interview. Levinson's critique of OnlyFans echoes a larger irony: if the platform "hollows out the individual," what does a show about it do? It's a question that leaves many pondering the reflection of art imitating life.