Faced with concerns about its leadership experiencing AI-induced delusions, backlash because its founder stating she now finds sex work “exploitative,” and confusion from its millions of creators and users, porn platform ManyVids is doubling down on the AI-generated messaging with posts about “believing in aliens.” In a post seemingly by the platform’s founder Bella French, she says the answer should be “a 3-hour long-form podcast conversation.”
This comes after the platform promised more clarity into how creators would be affected.
In the past few months, as 404 Media reported last week, ManyVids has increasingly turned to posting bizarre, clearly AI text and videos about imaginary conversations with aliens, French as an astronaut floating toward a black hole, and photos of hand-scrawled plans to convert the site to a tiered safe-for-work funnel, versus what makes it popular today: access to adult content from sex workers. French also recently changed her website to state she doesn’t believe the adult industry should exist, causing many online sex workers to question whether the site will remain a viable option for their income.
When I asked ManyVids for clarity on French’s statements—specifically on how she plans to “transition one million people” out of sex work, and if any of this will affect the millions of creators and fans who use the platform—someone replied from the support staff: “We are not victims — and we are taking action now,” the statement said. I asked what “taking action” means, and they replied assuring me that all would become clear on January 24, when a post would be published on the ManyVids news feed “It will provide additional clarification and go into a bit more detail on this,” they said. ManyVids published several posts on Saturday. None of them include additional clarification, all of them seem to be AI-generated, and they introduce more questions instead of answers.
Samantha Cole
“MV is an 18+ pop-culture, e-commerce social platform — and part of the job-creation economy of the future,” one post on the 24th said. “Our diverse offering of NSFW & SFW creators is a strength. How did we get here? Why SFW matter? [sic] How can online sex workers be recognized by society with the same legitimacy and respect as any other form of labor? After 15 years of reflection — 3 years as a performer and 12 years as a CEO — I believe a 3-hour long-form podcast conversation is the best way to explain the why, the numbers, the logic, and the how behind this work. Today’s stigma, debanking, deplatforming, and prejudgment punish online SW without giving them a fair chance to be heard. Protection comes from building better systems and creating more options.”
The post ended with the hashtag “#MaybeLexFridman,” referring to the popular podcaster.
A second post that day features an AI-generated video of French as a fireman with laser eyes. “At ManyVids, we believe in a Human-Centered Economy (HCE) — where merit and meaning are preserved because they matter,” the post says. “The job-creation network of the future, for humans who want to monetize their passions.” It goes on to mention, but not explain, a fictional concept called “Universal Bonus Intelligence.”
The post concludes: “MV - Made by Humans & AI. For Humans.”
And in a third post that day, with a collage of photos and AI-generated versions of French in different occupations, including astronaut and firefighter: “At ManyVids, we choose slow truth over quick certainty. We aim to help open hearts and minds toward differences.”
That post ends with: “Bella French. Co-Founder & Still-Standing CEO #RespectOnlineSexWorkers #Innovation #Since2014”
In the two days since, ManyVids has posted several more times. In one titled “A Message from the Green Tara,” referencing a figure in Buddhism: “So yeah... dragons are real. 😜🐉🔥 #MaybeJoeRogan” In another about Lilith, a fictional character from religious folklore: “Not Heaven. Not Hell. A 3rd option: no old binaries: a new garden built by outcasts. Yeah... We Are Many. And we deserve better. ✨🔥 #MVMag13 #WeAreMany #MaybeJordanPeterson”
And in the platform’s most recent post: A huge thank you to everyone who has ever been part of the MV Team and the MV Community. 💖 You are FOREVER family. 💖 💖 Un gros merci du fond du cœur. 💖 From your favorite pop culture platform for adults that also 100% believes in aliens. 👽🖖🏾✨😉” This is a reference to concerns from the community about previous posts featuring imaginary conversations with aliens.
ManyVids did not respond to my requests for comment about these recent posts.
