A woman who “lived off food banks and couldn’t afford warm clothes” has revealed how her life was transformed after she joined OnlyFans – and has brought her family closer together.
Sofia Sunshine, from British Columbia, Canada, has a very successful career with legions of followers on social media, including 61,000 fans on TikTok (@x.sofiasunshine).
However, life wasn’t always so glamorous for the 32-year-old.
Growing up, she lived in a poor neighbourhood and although her mum, Samantha, 63, “tried her best” to support the family, they were often living on the breadline.
“My mum is very proud and did her best for us but she suffered from arthritis in her 40s and at times couldn’t work,” the model told Jam Press.
“During my teenage years, we lived in the ‘projects’ and couldn’t afford to buy food, so would go to food banks.
“My mum did whatever it took to make sure we had the basic things we needed.”
Sofia, who is autistic, faced other challenges in adulthood, constantly worrying about money and feeling “burnt out”.
She said: “I’ve had a lot of jobs; from waitressing to selling cars, working in retail and admin.
“It was never the right fit, I always felt I was failing.
“I’d get so burnt out dealing with people.
“I didn’t realise it at the time but I was overstimulated by conforming to everyone’s idea of normal.
“It was a symptom of my autism but I believed there was something wrong with me.
“Most days, I could barely get out of bed to face the cold, because I couldn’t afford warm clothes and I was homeless for a few months too.
“I have vivid memories of myself freezing on my way to work, thinking that there has to be more to life than this.
In 2017, Sofia joined OnlyFans hoping it would give her more freedom and allow her to work from home, spending time with her beloved chihuahua and support animal, Khaleesi.
The decision changed her life forever, with the model now supporting herself and her family.
She said: “It feels incredible to be able to buy my mum nice clothes and presents.
“She doesn’t care that the success I have happens to be in sex work, she is just happy and proud that I have finally found a way to earn money that works for me.”
When lockdown hit in 2020, Sofia – who was busier than ever – roped Samantha in to help out while the pair isolated together.
The model said: “I moved her in during the pandemic and she was such a great support to me and a cheerleader for my work that it just made sense to employ her as my PA.
“She helps with scheduling my posts on OnlyFans and social media, organising paid adverts and more.
“After lockdown eased I got her a place of her own a 10-minute drive away and now we see each other three times a week.”
Samantha told Jam Press: “I love to see Sofia doing well for herself after struggling for so many years and it is my honour to support her in her work and for us to be so close as mother and daughter.
“I am very proud of our relationship.”
The mother-daughter-duo draw the line at having Samantha present while Sofia films raunchy content.
Sofia said: “I’m not embarrassed that my mum knows I am a sexual woman.
“She doesn’t see my filming but she has been a runner for me, helping me set up beforehand.
“Trolls say it’s ‘disgusting and weird’ that my mum is involved in my business but I don’t care what people say.
“We have even filmed a tongue-in-cheek video that went viral of my mum sitting next to me on the sofa when I had my boobs out.
“It was posted as a response to trolls who said my mum shouldn’t be proud of me.
“We wanted to prove them wrong. We’re a team.”
Samantha isn’t the only family member who is involved in the business.
Sofia’s dad, not named for privacy reasons, also shares valuable advice with his daughter on how to invest her hard-earned cash and save up for the future.
The model said: “My family hasn’t always been this close and my career has definitely brought us together, including my dad.
“He used to feel a bit uncomfortable about what I do but over time he came around, and now he really supports me.”
Sofia’s boyfriend, Connor, 33, from Ireland, joins in on the naughtier side, with the couple filming content together.
She said: “We met during the pandemic and have been inseparable ever since.
“Besides my mother, he’s my biggest pillar of support and I wouldn’t be able to accomplish what I have without him.
“On days that I’m feeling overwhelmed, he’s the one who pulls me through.”
Although Sofia isn’t willing to share exactly how much she makes, it’s more than enough to ensure she will never have to go hungry or cold again.
She said: “To me, life isn’t about buying really expensive things for the sake of buying them – I’m grateful for small luxuries.
“The other day, I was in the shop and bought a loaf of bread and randomly looked at the register to see how much I had to pay.
“That was a big deal, because in the past I counted every dollar and worried I wouldn’t have enough.
“I’ve lived on the street and now I rent a huge house and have my own furniture, that’s a very big thing to me.
“And I can afford therapy too, which is a luxury everyone should have.
“I no longer have to rely on government services – which can often take a very long time.
“I can’t tell you what it has done for my anxiety to have control of my life.
“I feel empowered.”
It’s also very important to Sofia to give back to others.
She said: “I donate a lot of money, it’s important to me.
“I’ll buy big boxes at shops that are then given to food banks or donation boxes at the pet store, and help in other ways.
“It feels nice to be able to do this for people who are struggling like I did.”
