A federal judge in California has ruled that adult film performers working with Vixen Media Group can be treated as employees, not independent contractors. The decision came in a class action lawsuit started by performer Kenzie Anne back in 2023. The court certified the case, meaning hundreds of current and former performers could now go after the studio for unpaid wages and penalties.
This is a major shift. For years, most studios classified performers as contractors, which meant no benefits, no overtime, and performers covering a lot of their own costs like testing and travel. The judge basically said the level of control these companies have over talent makes them more like regular employees under California law.
The big question now is: what about platforms like OnlyFans? Many performers earn most of their money there as “creators.” Will courts start treating them as employees too, forcing platforms to give labor rights, minimum wage protections, or expense reimbursements? The rules in the US are still messy on this, and it could get complicated fast.
This ruling might push the whole industry toward better pay and conditions, but it could also raise costs for studios and change how business is done. We’ll see how it shakes out after mediation in June. Interesting times ahead for adult entertainment.
