American author and former sex worker Charlotte Shane has candidly shared her experiences from two decades spent working as an escort for the ultra-rich. In her newly released memoir, An Honest Woman: A Memoir of Love and Sex Work, Shane provides an intimate look into her life, starting from her years as a runaway teen to the time she served the world’s wealthiest 1% as an escort. She delves into her relationships with clients and the complex dynamics of her work.
Shane began her career as an escort during the presidency of George Bush, describing the routine of her job as one of detachment: “Work as an escort entails a certain blankness: shower, pick an outfit, go to a hotel, leave a hotel,” she wrote in her memoir, according to an excerpt featured in the Wall Street Journal. Reflecting on how the profession has evolved, Shane recalled that when she first started escorting in the early 2010s, advertising was centered around images of luxury, such as jets, champagne, and black American Express cards.
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However, the drastic changes in marketing, particularly the shift toward a more influencer-like presence required even for those without an online platform like OnlyFans, contributed to her decision to leave sex work. In a post on Instagram, Shane explained, “The main reason I last quit sex work wasn’t the actual face-to-face labor, it was the marketing.” She emphasized how the constant need to portray a certain image and the pressure to present a curated life became too taxing, regardless of the financial rewards.
Shane expressed relief at stepping away from the demands of this modern marketing approach, saying, “It’s been wonderful to not take or post pictures of my life (or pictures that might fool people about what my life is like). To not think about how I look is bliss. To not feel pressure to own or wear or buy things to impress other people is bliss.” She concluded by reflecting on the newfound freedom to live authentically, feeling that the current circumstances have never been more conducive for her to discover and embrace her true self.