Lily Phillips' 100 men in one day: a cautionary tale for aspiring adult creators
In recent years, the phrase "sex work is work" has become a rallying cry for progressive activists advocating for the decriminalisation and destigmatization of the adult entertainment industry.
While this perspective highlights the autonomy and rights of sex workers, it also raises important questions about the physical, mental and emotional toll that certain aspects of the profession can take on individuals.
One of the most extreme and controversial examples of this is Lily Phillips, a 23-year-old OnlyFans creator from Derbyshire, UK, who recently made headlines for sleeping with 100 men in a single day as part of content creation for her platform.
While the stunt garnered immense attention and was chronicled in a YouTube documentary by Goon Squad Productions, it also revealed the darker side of pushing boundaries in the adult industry.
The rise of extreme stunts in online adult content
In the age of social media and platforms like OnlyFans, adult content creators have found new ways to connect with audiences, build personal brands, and generate income.
For creators like Philips who boasts over 36,000 OnlyFans subscribers, standing out in an oversaturated market often means pushing creative and physical boundaries.
Philips’ "100 men in one-day" stunt was not just about content creation, it was also an attempt to break taboos and create a spectacle. However, the physical and emotional aftermath of the experience sheds light on the cost of such extreme stunts.
During the documentary, the 23-year-old broke down in tears, admitting that the experience left her feeling "robotic" and emotionally detached.
"Sometimes you just disassociate ... it's not like normal sex at all," she explained.
This disconnection, where the mind separates from the body to cope with overwhelming situations, is a psychological phenomenon often seen in trauma survivors.
While Philips publicly portrayed the stunt as a success, behind the scenes, her mental health was visibly strained.
She admitted to feelings of guilt, self-blame, and dissatisfaction, noting that she couldn’t recall most of the men she interacted with.
"In my head, I can think of five, six guys, 10 guys that I remember. And that’s it. If I didn’t have the videos, I wouldn’t have known that I’d done a hundred," she said.
Experts in mental health caution about the dangers associated with dissociation and emotional detachment, particularly within high-stress environments like sex work.
The symptoms Phillips described — mood swings, dissociation, guilt, and heightened sexuality — echo those often linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and rape trauma syndrome.
Psychology master's scholar Julie Theis provided insight in a TikTok video regarding these concerns.
She said: "When individuals push their bodies and minds beyond their limits, especially in intimate or vulnerable settings, they may experience emotional dysregulation, self-blame, and even long-term mental health impacts."
@julietheis ♬ original sound - Julie Theis
The normalisation of such experiences in public discourse can further isolate individuals from seeking help."
Philips admitted that part of her motivation for completing the stunt was the pressure to deliver on promises made to her fans. "I guess when you’ve promised something to people who support you, it’s kinda hard to let them down," she said.
For Philips, the pressure is far from over. She has already announced plans to take on an even more ambitious challenge: sleeping with 1,000 men in 24 hours, a feat that would break the current world record of 919 men held by Lisa Sparks since 2004.
While Philips appears excited about the challenge, describing it as a "marathon" and a "real test," her previous experience raises concerns about the potential physical and emotional consequences of such an endeavour.
Advocates for sex workers’ rights underscore the importance of autonomy and choice, but they also caution against glamorising the extremes of the industry.
"Sex work is work but it’s also work that requires emotional resilience, boundaries, and support systems," says Nicole Emma, an activist for sex workers’ rights.
Philips also issued a warning to young women considering following in her footsteps. "It’s not for the weak girls if I’m honest. It was hard. I don’t know if I’d recommend it. It’s a different feeling. It’s just one in, one out—it feels intense," she said.
While the adult industry can be empowering for some, it is not without its challenges.
As society continues to grapple with the complexities of sex work, it’s important to strike a balance between advocating for workers’ rights and addressing the risks and challenges they face.