An Interview With... Alisonxox - How the Industry Has Changed Over a Decade

[Guest lydiahardwood]

Time to hear from another incredible, intelligent and beautiful Canadian Companion. This time we are talking to @Alisonxox who has been working within the sex industry for ten years. In this time she's seen changes in laws, different types of sex work appear and different platforms coming and going. I'm so lucky to have got the chance to ask her a few questions about her experiences - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Please remember to like and leave a comment. ❤️ 

Q: Hey Ali! Thanks so much for agreeing to be an interviewee and suggesting this topic. I’m really looking forward to learning more about your experience in this industry and how it has changed over the years. So tell me, how long have you been a sex worker?

A: Hi Lydia. Haha, this is like asking a woman how old she is. I'll just say that I've been in this industry for over a decade. I have seen it changed and evolve. Certain aspect for the best an other aspects for the worse, but all in all I would say that like everything else it has evolved and us providers had to adapt in order to be successful in the industry.

 

Q: Haha, gotcha. 😉 When you started out, what was the terminology that was used? Has it changed?

A: Well I will describe my "parlours" and the terminology. I don't think that aspect changed so much over the years.

I started as a show girl for Peep-Shows , so we were basically giving a show behind a glass. We were called "Modeles". When the peep-shows club closed their doors , I redirected my career to be a dancer. Stripper in a Club. I loved the stage and to give a show , but I am not very patient with drunk clients so left the club to try Massage.

I started Massage as an MA at Paradise and stayed there for many years. I am now an independent provider since 2015. I first eared about Hybrids maybe a couple of years ago. I think the terminology's still very vague. Some people are still very confused when they hear Hybrids, MA, SP... I think escort is the word that they are used to hearing. The terminology Sensualist is very new and I first heard it last year.

The terminology will keep evolving until we find a term for each type of services. Wen I first started it was escort for everything and it was different levels of services.

Now we have:

MA: Massage attendant with hand finish 

SP: Service Provider (Usually include more than an hand finish, confirm with your SP)

Hybrid: Can be an MA & a SP

Sensualist: Massage attendant ( new term for MA)

Escort: Usually means that she's offering full service

 

Q: Thanks, Ali. I hadn't heard of sensualist before! Let's talk about the internet... these days adult content is super easy to find, even for the nichest of kinks! I guess that wasn’t the case a decade ago?

A: A decade ago , the clients were going to their local video rentals in those little dark places with western doors in order to get their fix. They were renting porn videos. Now, porn is very accessible and more important FREE online. Imagine how the industry were impacted by the fact that clients don't necessarily needs us in order to get their fix anymore. They can simply sit in front of their laptop with a box of tissues and have access to all their fantasies for free in the comfort of their homes. The online industry is now our new reality.

The impacts of that technology are enormous.

-The industry's not as busy as before

-The clients have access to so much porn that their fantasies have changed

-The providers have to adjust to that new reality in so many different levels

Just as an example, I used to advertise in the Sun News paper. It was enough to bring me all the clients I needed. Now I have to advertise online on many different platforms. The cost of all those platforms is approximately 75% more $ than what I used to pay for one spot in the newspaper.

I didn't need to weed out time wasters back then. Now it's a complete different game with scammers , fake advertisement , fake pictures etc.

 

Q: What would you say is the most noticeable change in the industry over time?

A: Internet. It basically changed EVERYTHING

 

Q: What are your thoughts on Only Fans? Do you think it’s better/worse that online work is so accessible now for both models and Clients? Is there anything you think could be harmful?

A: Well it's an interesting topic.

I find that all platforms that are at the provider’s disposition have good and bad.

I think it’s great that providers have access to those platforms in order to sale their own content. It’s an additional revenue for us and we have control over our material and the revenue it generates. 

BUT...

The platforms are taking a quote and we have to watermark and protect our material against people that could steal it and post it on PornHub by example.

 

Q: It's a shame you have to do that. Have you noticed fetish/kink/requests changes over the years?

A: Yes of course. A fantasy is something that you don’t have easily access to and since the clients have access to so much porn, their fantasy evolved. Back then, a sexy secretary was a very common fantasy, when now I notice that fantasies are more extreme.

Imagine your client watching anime porn and in the anime , the woman can turn her neck 360 degree , place her body in an humanly impossible position while the guy’s a monster giving it to her with a 2m thick penis. Some clients have unreal expectations and it makes our job difficult to try to compete with porn.

 

Q: Hahaha that made me laugh aloud. Yeah I'm not sure how you'd manage to recreate that one, even if you're incredibly flexible lol. I’ve gotta ask… what about body hair preferences? Obviously that’s evolved massively over time and more and more women are now going au natural! Have you noticed preferences change much?

A: I always had a very simple opinion on this topic. It’s a provider for every type.

Some likes curves, brown hair, blonde hair, spinners etc…

It’s the same for body hair. 

Men and women have their preferences and it’s different for everyone.

I think as a provider , being yourself is the key in order to get the type of clientele that fits you.

It’s impossible to please everyone.

 

Q: What about pricing? Have your prices changed much over time and if so, what were the reasons? Was it in line with inflation or have you increased them as you’ve gained more experience?

A: That’s a big question that started a lot of debate and that the providers are trying to fix.

As a showgirl , I was making 100$/H

Many years later as a Ma at Paradise , I was making 100$\H

As an Indy Hybrid I am making approx. 100$/H once I deduct all my expenses.

So no that part still didn’t evolve, but the services have, the operation costs have, the workload have.

 

Q: I see how much hard work goes into advertising alone so I feel for you. I guess social media and forums have really been a game changer too? Do you feel like there’s more of an online Provider community now? 

A: Well as you already know, I am a proud member of OIC so yes it does makes a difference in a very good way. Social medias and forums gave us a way to get together and to connect. I think as a provider, the feeling of isolation can be very strong.  The opportunity of connecting with each other was completely game changing.

To be able to exchange point of view, to share our story and thoughts, gives us a feeling of normality of complicity, of understanding  of compassion. It makes the industry better because we all share and communicate in order to make each other better, the industry better.

Now the providers have the opportunity to work as a team and to support each other.

This is absolutely amazing.

 

Q: I have goosebumps, for real. I always say my favourite thing about this community is the solidarity and support amongst workers. So let’s look into the future. 😉 Can you predict any upcoming changes in the industry, short or long term?

A: Hopefully we’ll find a way to make screening & deposit mandatory. I hope that in the future , the government will understand that legalizing the industry can make it safer for both clients & Providers. I also have hope that our industry will eventually be less taboo and judge.

 

Q: I hope you're right! Thanks so much for shedding some light on this - it’s been so interesting talking to you! Is there anything you’d like to add?

A: I have been in the industry for a long time and I am still part of the industry because I love what I do.

Everything change with time. That’s what we call evolution. It’s our job as Providers & Clients to make the industry evolve in a good way. I am blessed with amazing clients and amazing colleagues. Hopefully we keep working as a team in order to better the industry.

Kisses 

Ali xo

[Sharpe 771]

Thanks for this fascinating interview Alison.  So many industries have changed and evolved over the years.  I wonder what kind of impact 2020 will have long term?

Thanks as always Lydia.  These interviews are the highlight of the weekend.

[NotchJohnson 214136]

I really enjoyed reading @Alisonxox point of view on this subject.  I think you are gorgeous and very attractive.  Thanks also to @lydiahardwood for inviting her for this weeks interview.

[Allie Zeon 2925]

love it:)

[Phaedrus 209521]

Thanks, Alison! Great to get your perspective on this. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the next decade...

[Onceinawhile 1127]

Great interview, I really enjoyed it.

Thank you Alison 💕

[1963Kennedy 10698]

Thank you Ali for this. I know for sure you have your head screwed on right.