Stella Barey, a 29-year-old former medical student, has made a dramatic career shift from aspiring doctor to pioneering entrepreneur in the adult content industry. After years of exhausting work on platforms like OnlyFans, she has launched her own app, Hidden, created specifically by and for sex workers to address systemic issues in the sector.
From University to Unconventional Entrepreneurship
Originally studying medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, Stella turned to selling explicit content online to supplement her income. What began as a side hustle quickly consumed her life, with daily posts on TikTok and OnlyFans focusing initially on anal sex content. She recalls filming multiple times a day, describing it as "the best time ever" but admits it dominated her existence.
Financial Success and Growing Frustrations
Her dedication paid off handsomely, with earnings soaring from £6,000 in her first month to an average of £40,000 monthly across various platforms. However, Stella faced relentless challenges, including frequent bans on social media for promoting adult content. She reports being banned over 22 times on TikTok alone, often for minor infractions like having a link in her bio or discussing sexual health.
This constant battle with censorship led to burnout and a sense of isolation. "As girls on the internet we exist in our bedrooms across the world — there's a massive lack of community," she explains. Despite her mother's support, she acknowledges her father's disapproval, reflecting broader societal stigma that many sex workers endure from their families.
The Birth of Hidden: A Pro-Sex Worker Platform
In April 2025, Stella decided enough was enough and founded Hidden, named after the "hidden" folder on smartphones. Unlike giants like OnlyFans, Hidden aims to be a niche platform with pro-sex worker policies, hoping to set new standards for the industry.
Innovative Features and User Experience
The app features a TikTok-style "For You Page" with free content to attract users to creators' pages, eliminating the need for constant social media advertising. A one-click-to-buy store simplifies purchases, reducing administrative hassle for creators. Hidden takes an 18% cut from earnings, slightly less than competitors, and plans to introduce live streaming soon.
Content on Hidden includes outdoor scenes, pee play, BDSM, and other kinks that are increasingly restricted on other sites. Stella emphasises that while illegal or harmful content is banned, the platform embraces diverse adult sexuality with strong safeguards like consent forms and ID verification.
Building Community and Support
Beyond financial benefits, Stella is passionate about fostering a sense of community among sex workers. She hosts monthly creator dinners funded by Hidden profits, where women can bond and share experiences. Tiffany Wisconsin, a 37-year-old sex worker on the platform, praises these gatherings for creating meaningful connections in an often lonely profession.
Tiffany also highlights the ease of use on Hidden, particularly for managing consent forms, compared to other platforms. While earnings may be lower initially due to its newness, she appreciates the reduced workload and automated content promotion.
A Vision for Change in Adult Content
Stella's journey from medical school dropout to app founder underscores a growing movement for better treatment of sex workers online. By prioritising creativity, community, and fair policies, Hidden represents a bold step towards reshaping an industry often marred by censorship and exploitation. As Stella puts it, "Censorship kills creativity," and her platform aims to provide a safe, ethical space for niche creators to thrive.
