Pete Davidson has joked about making an unexpected career move: joining OnlyFans. In a recent Variety “Ask a Local” segment, the comedian questioned how some social-media creators can make enormous sums from everyday videos and then said he thinks about launching an OnlyFans account himself roughly once a week.
The remarks quickly became part of a bigger debate over the creator economy, online fame and what audiences actually pay for. The key distinction is that Davidson was joking and giving his opinion; his comments are not evidence that $40 million annual creator income is typical.
What Did Pete Davidson Say About OnlyFans?
During the Variety segment released September 30, Davidson criticized “get ready with me” videos and TikTok dances, questioning why some creators can become extremely wealthy from that kind of content. He referenced a figure of $40 million a year without naming a specific creator.
He then pivoted to himself, joking that if acting and comedy stopped working, he could potentially use OnlyFans as a retirement plan. The joke was deliberately risqué, but there is no indication that Davidson has actually announced an OnlyFans launch.
Is Pete Davidson Really Joining OnlyFans?
No announcement has been made that Davidson is launching an OnlyFans account. The available reporting describes the idea as a joke or hypothetical career option. Headlines suggesting he has officially joined the platform would go beyond what the interview establishes.
That distinction matters because celebrity comments about OnlyFans can travel quickly across social media and become “news” before anything has actually happened.
Why Davidson’s Influencer Comments Sparked Backlash
Davidson’s comments were not received as a simple joke by everyone. Critics argued that his remarks reduced creator work to the final video seen by viewers while overlooking the business behind it: planning, filming, editing, audience management, brand deals, community engagement and constant posting.
OnlyFans creator Sophie Rain was among those who pushed back. She challenged Davidson to try the work himself and argued that successful creator businesses require much more effort than a short public clip suggests.
Pete Davidson mocks social media influencers who “do nothing” and make “$40 million a year”
— Variety (@Variety) September 30, 2026
Sophie Rain’s Response Added an OnlyFans Angle
Rain directly connected Davidson’s criticism to the business of being a creator. She said people can underestimate how much work goes into maintaining an audience and producing content consistently.
Her response also made the story more relevant to the OnlyFans industry because Davidson had specifically invoked the platform as a possible way to make money. The exchange turned a celebrity joke into a broader argument about whether digital creators are being fairly understood.
The $40 Million Figure Needs Context
One of the most important details to keep straight is Davidson’s use of the $40 million figure. He did not identify a creator whose earnings he was citing, and there is no independent audit attached to the statement in the reporting reviewed for this story.
That means the figure should be treated as Davidson’s claim in the interview, not as an industry average or proof that creators routinely make tens of millions of dollars.
There are, however, individual creators who have publicly shared unusually large earnings figures. Sophie Rain, for example, has publicly discussed very high OnlyFans earnings. Those figures are self-reported, and OnlyFans does not publish a public leaderboard of individual creator income.
Why This Is Bigger Than a Celebrity Joke
Davidson’s comments touch a real tension in modern media: audiences can see a 30-second or 60-second piece of content without seeing the business infrastructure behind it.
A successful creator may be operating more like a small media company than a casual social account. Content calendars, photographers, editors, assistants, managers, taxes, legal work, moderation and customer communication can all sit behind what looks like a simple post.
That does not mean every influencer works harder than every traditional professional, nor does it mean every large income claim is accurate. It means the visible post is only one part of the business.
Could Pete Davidson Actually Join OnlyFans?
For now, there is no verified launch announcement to point to. Davidson’s wording was framed as a recurring thought and a joke about what he could do if his entertainment career failed.
Still, the comment is revealing because it shows how mainstream celebrity culture now treats creator platforms as a legitimate part of the entertainment economy—even when the reference is made jokingly.
Pete Davidson, Ariana Grande and the Rest of the Variety Interview
The same Variety interview also covered Davidson’s thoughts about Ariana Grande, his past relationships and the pressure of public attention. He defended Grande against criticism of her appearance and described her as talented and strong.
That broader interview context matters because the OnlyFans joke was one piece of a much larger conversation about fame, the internet and how celebrities experience public scrutiny.
Quick Answer
Pete Davidson has not announced that he is joining OnlyFans. In a September 30, 2026 Variety “Ask a Local” segment, he criticized some influencer content, questioned how creators could make millions and joked that he thinks about starting an OnlyFans account about once a week. His comments sparked criticism from creators including Sophie Rain, turning the joke into a wider debate about the work behind online creator businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pete Davidson joining OnlyFans?
There is no verified announcement that he has joined or launched an OnlyFans account. His comments were presented as a joke and hypothetical career idea.
Why did Pete Davidson mention OnlyFans?
He brought up OnlyFans while discussing his frustration with the amount of money some internet creators can make. He joked that the platform could become a backup plan if his acting and comedy career failed.
What did Sophie Rain say about Pete Davidson?
Rain pushed back on Davidson’s criticism and argued that successful creators do substantial work behind the scenes to build and maintain their businesses.
Did Pete Davidson say influencers make $40 million a year?
Yes, he referenced a $40 million annual figure while discussing creators, but he did not identify a specific creator in the segment. The figure has not been independently established as a typical creator income level.
Where did Pete Davidson make the comments?
The comments came during Variety’s “Ask a Local” video segment released September 30, 2026.
Sources and Further Reading
- Complex: Pete Davidson on influencers and OnlyFans
- OK! Magazine: Pete Davidson says he thinks about OnlyFans
- New York Post: Sophie Rain responds to Davidson
- Variety on X: Pete Davidson influencer comments
Author: Shivam Das
