Penelop Dario moved to New York to work under the city’s greatest artists, and ended up working as a high-end escort. Now, she’s working to demystify and educate the world about sex workers
A high-end escort-turned-publisher has revealed what it has been like to run one of the world’s only trade magazines for sex workers.
Penelope Dario has been running Petit Mort magazine as its editor-in-chief and founder for the last three years, after working as a “high end escort” in New York City.
She found herself in the world of adult entertainment after spending several years in New York’s art scene, studying and working under some of the city’s best designers and photographers.
READ MORE: 'Devastated' nursing student, 21, horrified to find photos of herself on OnlyFans
She told Daily Star that after a while, she began wanting to move on, take her artistic training and begin anew in an attempt to “retire from the industry, and potentially parlay into another career.”
Penelope, now 30, hopes the magazine will “demystify” the sex industry, which is still very taboo for many.
“[I thought] it was time that there was a publication that could start demystifying the experience of sex workers and letting people in a little bit," she said.
“[The magazine would help people] understand us and understand the nuances, and also just see us as three dimensional. I think people have these very limited views of who sex workers are.”
Penelope launched the magazine at the height of the pandemic, just as services like OnlyFans were changing the world of sex work forever.
She revealed she's been self-funding the magazine since its launch has been challenging, commenting: “I've been funding this project for three years on my own, with the money that I've earned as a sex worker.
"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't difficult.”
Penelope initially wanted to begin a sex worker-owned rival to adult magazines Playboy and Hustler – but decided against it in the end.
She explained: “Then I [realised] I don't really feel comfortable profiting off of other people's sexuality in that way, creating constant arousal when all my colleagues kind of have their own OnlyFans.
"If you want to see them, make it or whatever, like, you can just subscribe to their platform.
“Also, I just don't think that print is really the best form of pornography anymore, right? It's not the 80s anymore.”
Instead, she realised that the best thing she could do with the magazine was to try and destigmatise and normalise sex work.
Penelope said: “Not only is there a lot of shame and stigma in general society against sex workers, but sex workers also suffer from a lot of internalised shame and guilt that we all battle with.
“There's really no reason why I should feel ashamed. I've met so many incredible people.
"I've found such a wealth of wisdom from my own experience and a wealth of wisdom in my colleagues. It's really something that we should be proud of.”
Petit Mort hosts a range of stories, with long, thoughtful feature pieces written by and for sex workers, as well as practical advice for up-and-coming stars, including pieces detailing the best ways that sex workers can correctly file taxes.
While she does not claim to be the world’s first magazine for sex workers, a title held by the now-defunct $PREAD magazine, Penelope says her work has been pioneering because of its openness to taboo subjects.
For more shocking stories from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Penelope has spent the last three years trying to strike the right balance between being a sex-worker led publication and reaching out to “civilians” who don't work in the sex industry.
She wants the future of Petit Mort to be more in line with a fashion or arthouse magazine given the historic relationship that sex workers have had with the art world
Penelope added: “I think that sex workers have been a huge source of inspiration for artists and filmmakers and fashion designers since the dawn of time.”
READ NEXT:
- OnlyFans star who teased lesbian sex video in Dubai makes racy film with 'cousin'
- Teaching assistant warned she could be sacked unless she deletes racy OnlyFans page
- Adult star who broke back in foam pit hottest snaps as she continues road to recovery
OnlyFans popular models refers to content creators on the OnlyFans platform who have gained significant attention and a large following due to their engaging content and strong presence. Popular models on OnlyFans are recognized for their ability to attract and maintain a substantial number of subscribers. Here are some key aspects that contribute to a model's popularity on OnlyFans:
Key Factors Contributing to Popularity
-
High-Quality Content: Popular models consistently produce high-quality content, including well-shot photos, videos, and other exclusive media that resonates with their audience.
-
Strong Online Presence: Many popular models have a significant following on other social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok, which helps drive traffic to their OnlyFans page.
-
Engagement with Fans: These models actively engage with their subscribers through messages, custom content requests, and interactive posts, building a loyal fan base.
-
Unique Niche or Style: Popular models often have a unique niche, style, or persona that sets them apart from others, whether it’s a specific type of content, a distinctive theme, or a personal brand.
-
Consistency: Regular updates and consistent posting keep subscribers engaged and coming back for more. Popular models maintain a steady stream of new content.
-
Promotions and Collaborations: Many successful models use promotions, discounts, or collaborations with other influencers or models to increase their visibility and attract new subscribers.
