Dear influencers: We are not built for this much intimacy

[Michie]

Last December I found myself unable to shake a story I had read in the Wall Street Journal. It has bothered me into the new year.

The article chronicled the rise and subsequent demise of David Hollis, Instagram influencer, former Disney executive, and ex-husband of Rachel Hollis, the popular blogger and self-help author of “Girl, Wash Your Face.”

The profile was framed as a glimpse into the “weirdly intimate world of social-media influencers, where you are personally the product and everything you do in your life can be produced into a commercial event.”

His ex-wife, Rachel, rose to fame with a viral Instagram post about her post-partum physique. After receiving a tidal wave of positive feedback for her vulnerability, she launched a self-help brand built on sharing the details of her personal life — including issues with marital intimacy and parenting ups and downs — with her nearly 2 million Instagram followers.

Eventually, David got on board and built his own brand of self-help convert and relatable dad. David shared his thoughts, feelings, and struggles with an audience of 400,000 people.

The toll of performing day in and day out for an audience of strangers, as well as monitoring their comments and feedback, eventually led to the breakdown of their marriage and David’s accidental death from alcohol and drugs.

This December, I couldn’t stop thinking about another online “influencer,” Lily Phillips, of OnlyFans fame. OnlyFans is a British-based subscription platform, where creators and performers post content for paying subscribers. The founder, Tim Stokely, said he wanted content creators to have more control over their work. The site is now primarily used for pornographic content.

Twenty-three-year old Phillips has reportedly earned $2 million from her 36,000 paying subscribers. Yet she became a household name this December with the release of a YouTube documentary chronicling her 24-hour sexual marathon with 101 men.

Continued below.

The Lily Phillips tragedy: We are not built for this much intimacy

What should Catholics think of self-commodification as a means of generating income or as a viable career path?

angelusnews.com

 

[godisagardener]

This type of "social media" is a two-edged sword. So many people want that fifteen minutes of fame that everyone talks about. They're told by society (or their psyche tells them) that if the world doesn't know them, then they're nobody. So many feel they're alone even when surrounded by many friends and family, so they crave more. They want to be "somebody". They want to be seen. They want to "influence". Social media feeds on this. And this article shows the side of social media that many fall into. I wouldn't know an influencer if I saw one, for a long time I didn't even know what it meant. I'm sure there's a good side to it somewhere. But for so many it's a trap they fall into and can't get out of, like a rabbit hole. I think for some, like those unfortunate ones in the article, there are psychological issues.

 

[Michie]

This type of "social media" is a two-edged sword. So many people want that fifteen minutes of fame that everyone talks about. They're told by society (or their psyche tells them) that if the world doesn't know them, then they're nobody. So many feel they're alone even when surrounded by many friends and family, so they crave more. They want to be "somebody". They want to be seen. They want to "influence". Social media feeds on this. And this article shows the side of social media that many fall into. I wouldn't know an influencer if I saw one, for a long time I didn't even know what it meant. I'm sure there's a good side to it somewhere. But for so many it's a trap they fall into and can't get out of, like a rabbit hole. I think for some, like those unfortunate ones in the article, there are psychological issues.

It’s really all about ego, unrealistic standards, deception and money 98% of the time. I used to watch someone swing with whatever influencer fad there was. One week it’s this, next week it’s that. It’s pretty tragic when you really think about it. Lots of us enjoy instructive videos for learning but the influencer vibe is the epitome of unhealthy imo. A more dangerous version of keeping up the Jones.

“Comparison (with others) is the thief of joy.”​

-Theodore Roosevelt

 

[RileyG]

I think a lot of people also use social media because they want to feel appreciated, when in reality they feel unloved or unwanted. That's only my opinion.

 

[RileyG]

In reality, they may actually BE unloved and unwanted ... but social media is not a lasting way to fill that void in one's heart.
Only a vibrant, loving, active relationship with God can truly fill the hungry heart.

Our perceptions aren't always realistic...especially people with depression or anxiety disorders...social media only makes people feel unloved and unwanted

 

[RileyG]

I think social media has messed with alot of people's heads.

Amen

 

[WarriorAngel]

Social media like everything can be used to spread good worldwide or pure slop.

Unfortunately it is mostly slop.
I follow the Catholics and such on TikTok/facebook reels.

 

[RileyG]

Social media like everything can be used to spread good worldwide or pure slop.

Unfortunately it is mostly slop.
I follow the Catholics and such on TikTok/facebook reels.

I really like LizziesAnswers and RebornPure on YouTube

 

[Michie]

I would love to see that platform destroyed.

 

[RileyG]

This is just tragic. Lord have mercy.

Talking in more detail about her Only Fans challenge, Lily, who is now aiming to sleep with 1,000 men in a day this month, told YouTuber Josh: "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."

Josh asked if it was more intense than she thought and she broke down in tears, saying: "Definitely." But despite getting emotional in the clip, Lily reassured fans that she is healthy and mentally strong. Speaking on the documentary, Lily explained her reasoning behind her niche and said: "You have to stand out with unique content. You have to be different... Because there are so many people on OnlyFans," Mail Online reports.[/i]

Woman who slept with 100 men in a day leaves people in tears with 'sad' update

Adult star Lily Phillips, 23, has done a candid interview about her career as she plans another extreme 'sex challenge'. And it's left people very concerned

www.mirror.co.uk

Lord have mercy!

 

[RileyG]

I would love to see that platform destroyed.

OnlyFans?

 

[Michie]

OnlyFans?

Yes!

 

[Michie]

I woke up this morning, still thinking about this thread.

And I remembered that it was almost 20 years ago now since I became a member of CF.
Granted, I have been gone at times for long periods, but hello ... it's 2025 and today I'm here!

But what I was thinking is that 20 years ago, we would not have found a 'Lily' kind of article on this site. 20 years ago, we wouldn't have been having a discussion here about that article, because it would have been too obviously sinful to discuss. 20 years ago, I think most of us would have been shocked and appalled at the story, if we even saw it on the internet. (But in 2025, it is now widely circulating for everyone to read.)

This thread made me think about how morals have declined in the past 20 years. And how de-sensitized we seem to have become to reading some of the most depraved stories on the internet. If we continue on this downward moral trajectory, and the Lord should tarry, I wonder where we will be morally as a society 20 years from now?

... and I shudder to think.

I don’t think Angelus news has lost their morals and it is not good to avoid discussing what is happening in the world today as Christians. But that’s just me.

 

[RileyG]

Yes!

It's literally prostitution. I always called pornography legal prostitution. ugh

 

[Michie]

The Angelus News link in Post #1 was okay.
But the links to Mail Online and Mirror.co.uk in Post #12?
Graphic. Graphic details and graphic photos.
Imo? Too graphic for a Christian site. But that is just me.

Those articles did make me ponder the state of the world, and the widespread depravity and lostness of mankind within it. They made me weep. And they inspired me to pray for Lily. And then to set my eyes on some goodness, after reading about such depravity. But did I want to read those graphic articles after just leaving a time of Bible study and prayer on the Book of Revelation? No, not really.

- I just need to be more careful about what threads I read. Not all threads are for everybody.

p.s.
Maybe threads like this one need a 'Graphic' warning in the title???
(Just an idea ... I got a million of 'em! )

I did not find anything particularly graphic in the second article except the reality of Lily’s reaction on her psyche and now she feels she needs to up her game when she is clearly traumatized? She posed in a bikini maybe? *shrug* We can talk graphically about abortion, transgender issues, child sex trafficking,etc., what leaves Lily’s situation out working for the porn industry? We cannot bury our heads in the sand when it comes to these issues. How are we to be the salt and the light in a dark world when it is forbidden to speak or acknowledge these issues? Seriously, I do not get it.

Deleted the link that upset you.

 

[Michie]

There was no picture of her naked on a bed. I would not if posted it if that were the case.

 

[Michie]

You are mistaken, so please don't imply that I'm lying.
(What point would there be in my doing that???)

Looks like you've deleted the old Post #12 with the two questionable articles in it, but I was able to find one of them.

Here is the Mail Online article that was posted:
In it, there is a photo of Lily, kneeling on a bed. She is holding some of the bedding to cover her frontals.
Not naked? Guess that depends on how one sees it, but she looks naked to me.

Lily Phillips reveals moment she decided to become an Only Fans star

She was a seemingly conventional youngster, enjoying watching SpongeBob Square Pants at home and playing netball with her friends after school.

www.dailymail.co.uk

She had bikini bottoms on. Look, it’s strange you would post an article that you find so offensive after I deleted it on your account. Why is it you are arguing with me about this? I tried to be considerate and you are just trying to argue. I never implied you were lying. There is no nudity in that photo. I’ve seen people on the beach in less. If you have an issue you should have PM’ed me. Now where’s the trigger alert since you reposted what you thought should have never been posted in the first place? Shouldn’t you delete it?? I posted 2 articles. 1 from Angelus and one from the Mirror. What was questionable about the op? The second article was about more than those pics that shook you up so much.

 

[RileyG]

Hmmm.....

It reminds me of a foreign exchange student in the 11th grade I went to high school with, an agnostic from Sweden, he was very surprised by the so-called "puritan" views that American had on sex. He was barely 15 and not a virgin.

It also reminds me when Miley Cyrus made a photo when she was underage of her bare back. Some considered it "provocative", others did not.

I guess it depends on someone's' perception?

I don't know.

 

[Michie]

Hmmm.....

It reminds me of a foreign exchange student in the 11th grade I went to high school with, an agnostic from Sweden, he was very surprised by the so-called "puritan" views that American had on sex. He was barely 15 and not a virgin.

It also reminds me when Miley Cyrus made a photo when she was underage of her bare back. Some considered it "provocative", others did not.

I guess it depends on someone's' perception?

I don't know.

I was concerned about her. Like I said, I see more on the beach. I’m just going to delete my posts. This really took a very odd turn. Reposting an article that is being complained about so I delete it and the person complaining posts it again??? Without a trigger warning? Wow!

 

[RileyG]

I was concerned about her. Like I said, I see more on the beach. I’m just going to delete my posts. This really took a very odd turn. Posting an article that is being complained about so I delete it and the person complaining posts it again??? Without a trigger warning? Wow!

No.

You don't have to delete anything.

If anything, just request the thread to be closed.

You're fine!