The creator economy is back in the spotlight, and this time it’s because of a very public back-and-forth between comedian Pete Davidson and OnlyFans star Sophie Rain.
What Did Pete Davidson Say?
It started with a Variety interview in which Davidson, the 32-year-old “Saturday Night Live” alum, went viral for dismissing female creators who pull in huge paydays online. He called the influencer economy “broken” and said he couldn’t believe online personalities could earn tens of millions from dances and “get ready with me” videos. The clip spread fast because the point was blunt: these women do nothing, and they’re getting rich anyway.
Worth noting: Davidson never named Rain in his remarks. The internet connected the dots on its own.
Sophie Rain Answers Back
Rain first replied in the comments with a short “@me next time.” She then expanded on her criticism and posted a video of about 75 seconds. In it, she introduced herself as the woman behind the $40 million figure.
She didn’t stop there. Her message was that if it’s really that easy, he should go do it himself. She also pointed out that Davidson has joked about starting an OnlyFans page of his own, which suggests he knows the money is real.
The Kim Kardashian Jab
The line that got the most attention was personal. Rain questioned whether Davidson was paying attention while dating Kim Kardashian, one of the most famous influencers in the world. It was a pointed way of saying he should understand this business better than most.
“The Money Comes Easy Now, but It Wasn’t Always That Way”
The most human part of Rain’s response was about her background. She said she worked a 9-to-5 server job for three and a half years before moving into social media. She also argued that creators have to post content every day to keep their audience engaged.
On the numbers: she reportedly made more than $43 million in her first year on the subscription platform, and she says most of her income comes from that platform rather than her social media accounts. Other outlets put her annual earnings closer to $45 million, so treat all of these as reported or self-reported estimates.
How the Internet Is Reacting
Opinion is split. Some users defend Davidson’s point, while others ask why female creators are singled out for criticism. The bigger question underneath is what counts as “work” today. Supporters of creators argue they’re running small businesses built on audience development, marketing, branding and constant engagement, even when the finished product looks effortless.
What Happens Next?
As of the latest reports, Davidson hadn’t publicly responded to Rain’s comments. He may stay quiet, or he may turn it into a new bit. Either way, this debate doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon.
