ana Rhoades, once regarded as the world’s leading adult film star, recently revealed surprising details about her earnings and experiences in the industry.
Speaking on the Curious Mike podcast, the 27-year-old—whose real name is Amara Carple—reflected on her intense yet brief eight-month career in adult entertainment. Entering the industry at just 19, Rhoades shared candid insights into the lack of support and protection for young women.
“There’s not really anything set up to protect girls who are young and vulnerable,” she explained, voicing concerns about the exploitative environment.
Rhoades also pointed out that many women who enter the field do so while struggling with low self-worth, often shaped by difficult pasts—making them particularly vulnerable to coercion and manipulation.
She described being surrounded by older men, often in their forties, who, according to her, ‘know exactly like how to get you to do what […] they want to make them money.’
She suggests that power dynamics and a lack of safeguards create a problematic and potentially exploitative environment for young performers.
Despite her fame and popularity, Rhoades shared that she was only paid $1,200 per scene, a figure that may shock many given the visibility and success she had.
Although $1,200 per scene may seem like a lot to some, Rhoades explained that many performers are lured into the industry because they come from small towns and families with limited financial means.
“I thought $100 at the time was like so much money,” she recalled, highlighting how easily influenced someone can be when they lack financial literacy or experience.
So, earning over a thousand dollars for one scene initially felt significant to her.
However, her perspective shifted dramatically after meeting a social media influencer who was making $15,000 just for posting a single photo on Instagram.
This stark contrast made Rhoades question the value placed on her work and the sacrifices she made for such relatively low compensation.
Rhoades also spoke about the stigma and backlash she receives for speaking out.
“The guys don’t understand what’s going on behind the scenes,” she noted.
“People are like, ‘Oh, you knew what you got into’… I think it’s because men like consuming p*** and they don’t want to feel guilty for consuming it.”
Since leaving the adult industry, Rhoades has reinvented herself as an influencer and entrepreneur, launching a clothing and lingerie brand.
She has also been vocal in criticizing the adult film world, at times suggesting it should be outlawed altogether.
