JESS ROBERTSON
Contrary to popular belief, Adult Entertainers work like most contractors, with ABN’s, rates and rent all part of the job.
Local Brisbane DJ, Jaydn Lamb, spoke about the nightlife entertainment industry as a whole.
“I think it’s a common misconception that people in the Adult Entertainment industry are earning an hourly rate plus commission as, what is advertised as a role with many emotional and physical sacrifices, one would assume they would be compensated,” he said.
Georgia Clark, current employee at The Cabaret club in Fortitude Valley, spoke of her journey to Brisbane’s entertainment nightlife following her high school dream of musical theater.
“In this industry it’s essentially all up to you, you only get out what you put in, if you’re late or only do a few shifts you lose money and if one night, you don’t have your head on straight, you don’t earn money.”
Following a three-month mental health break from the industry, Georgia spoke about the toll that the business has on many adult entertainer’s lifestyles.
“People assume it’s a lot about dancing but it’s really not, it’s a lot about your ability to have a conversation and be likable, appearance is one thing but if people are going to spend copious amounts of money on you they have to like you as a person,” Georgia said.
“Being able to determine what people like and alter yourself accordingly is key to your success because when you put 40 girls in a room and they’re all competing on the basis of appearance, there is going to be competition and many take it very personally when they don’t make money.”
Nel, an unemployed student, trialed at Love and Rockets as a way of earning extra money and was exposed to the competitive nature of the industry.
“It wasn’t what I thought it would be at all, rather than appreciating that everyone was there to achieve the same goal, girls were there strictly on the basis of earning their own money, and many were taking unnecessary steps to achieve this by bringing the other girls down,” Nel said.