The fetishists who stream sexually explicit material live on the internet and take money in exchange for sex from strangers are known as ‘camgirls’. They work out of sex studios hidden in nondescript office buildings, advertised discreetly on Craigslist, and often require viewers to pay them in virtual tokens, which are used as a proxy for real currency. They can also negotiate private shows for fans willing to spend significantly more. They can accept or reject requests from viewers, and many stream fetishes such as foot worship and role play, or penis humiliation.
The world of american camgirls is often portrayed as glamorous, but it is not always lucrative. Some models tell of being paid just 174,000 Colombian pesos ($42; £26) for a 90-minute show on a top site. One model, Isabella, whose story was featured in the BBC documentary ‘Camgirls’, says her studio took 60 to 70% of her earnings. She quit after two months, saying the demands of the studio and the grueling hours were too much.
In the world of camming, where women invite strangers into their bedrooms in exchange for cash, it’s not uncommon for performers to find themselves facing strange sexual requests. But it is also common for them to develop relationships with viewers who they spend time chatting to outside of their webcam shows, and to meet up in person at sex conventions or on private dates. The result is that for some models, camming can become more than just a way to earn a living; it becomes a life.
A ‘cam girl’ who does not want to be identified by her real name is known as an ‘anonymous camgirl’, and there are thousands of them working online. But while they have the freedom to choose when and how they want to perform, cam girls are still legally bound by sex laws in the countries where they are based.
At a recent conference called CammingCon, held at the Eden Roc hotel in Miami Beach, hundreds of cam girls and their fans descended to chat, mingle and watch them strip onstage. During the conference’s Industry Day, New Times spoke to some of these anonymous performers about their experiences and the oddest requests they have received from their clients. Read more about american camgirls here.