Actor Jessie Cave has revealed that joining the subscription platform OnlyFans felt embarrassing after struggling to cover living expenses and childcare costs for her four children.
Speaking on the British television show This Morning, the 39-year-old actor explained that earnings from roles such as Lavender Brown in the Harry Potter film franchise were no longer sufficient to provide financial security.
Cave said members of the public often assume she is wealthy due to her role in a major movie series, but clarified that she does not have excessive money. She explained that while she genuinely wanted to find regular work, the high cost of childcare made taking a traditional job unaffordable while raising four kids.
Reflecting on her career, Cave described acting as an uncertain profession that rarely offers ongoing financial stability. She noted that only a small percentage of actors manage to work continuously, adding that she had managed to get by on various acting jobs for 18 years before reaching a point of crisis about two years ago when she did not know what to do next.
The actor said her decision to launch an OnlyFans account in March 2025 was influenced by other public figures, including singers Lily Allen and Kate Nash, who had started publishing content on the subscription platform. She described the move as an available option during a period of financial hardship.
Financial Desperation And Supermarket Work
In a recent interview with The Times newspaper, Cave disclosed that she had reached absolute desperation prior to becoming a content creator. She said she suffered a breakdown and considered quitting acting altogether, but lacked the financial resources to retrain or pursue a university degree.
Cave added that working at a local supermarket was not a viable solution to her financial struggles. She explained that supermarket wages would not cover her childcare expenses, while also noting that she did not want customers shouting Harry Potter spells at her while working at Tesco.
When she initially established her account, Cave anticipated earning around £5,000 over a few months to buy time to figure out her next steps. However, she revealed that she earned more than £15,000, equivalent to approximately $20,200, in a single day after joining the service.
Cave acknowledged that her subscriber count dropped once viewers realized she would not be posting sexually explicit content. Despite the decline, she retained a dedicated group of paying subscribers, noting that after more than a year and a half on the platform, the income had comfortably surpassed her total earnings from her entire 18-year acting career and had saved her family.
Non Explicit Content And Personal Confidence
Rather than adult material, Cave's content revolves around non-sexually explicit videos where she brushes and braids her long hair. In her posts, she appears dressed in various costumes, including an elf, a maid, and her former film character Lavender Brown.
Cave stated that creating the video content helped boost her confidence as a woman. She described herself as having always been very awkward and strange, explaining that taking photos of herself and trying to look attractive gave her a sense of personal control.
Discussing her interactions on the platform, Cave said the site allowed her to connect with people around the world whom she would otherwise never speak to. While acknowledging that online content creation carries potential pitfalls, she maintained that there is also significant value and beauty in the experience.
Cave also expressed her belief that subscription services represent the future of online media. She observed that many people post bikini photos or attractive content on Instagram for free, arguing that creators are losing money by not charging for their posts when audiences are increasingly willing to pay for online content.
Career Background And Movie Roles
Jessie Cave gained international recognition for playing Lavender Brown in the Harry Potter film series, depicting the Hogwarts student and romantic interest of Ron Weasley. In addition to her work in the wizarding franchise, Cave has appeared in television productions including the BBC and HBO drama series Industry.
OnlyFans is a London-based internet subscription service where content creators earn money from users who subscribe to their profile. Although widely known for adult content, the site also hosts creators sharing lifestyle, comedy, and non-explicit media.
