Many social media users have been expressing outrage about the video and OnlyFans, which has been criticized in the past for enabling users to post explicit or pornographic content.

Others were less convinced, speculating that the video is just part of a comedy skit.

The Claim

In a clip that has been shared widely on social media and video streaming platforms a man, claiming to represent OnlyFans, is inviting students at the Florida International University campus to become porn stars for “financial freedom.”

“We don’t want you to be a porn star, we just want you to have an open mind. Our motto is you get ahead by giving head,” he tells one young woman.

The 44-second video drew a backlash on Twitter, Reddit and other platforms, including such claims as “the colleges are lost” and “Wow…I thought pimping wasn’t easy.”

Others were more skeptical, noting that simply wearing the shirt with an OnlyFans logo doesn’t make him the company’s representative.

“Do you really think onlyfans hired someone to do this? More than likely this is a set up by some guy wanting to get views on TikTok or something,” a Reddit user asked.

The Facts

The original video was posted by the @bendadonnn (username “Ben Da Biggest”) Instagram account on Wednesday, February 9, and has since gathered more than 300,000 views. It was also cross-posted on the “backup” bendadonnnn1 Instagram page.

At least two Reddit posts featuring the video have since been removed, with one moderator citing Rule #3, which states, “Do not post fictional content, videogames, comics, cartoons, or anime. This includes fake news articles, and stories that are obviously fictional.”

Bendadonn, whose real name could not be established, is a social media celebrity from Memphis, Tennessee, and based in Florida. He is known for posting content featuring prominent sports stars and musicians, as well as comedy skits, where he portrays a pizza delivery guy, a school student and other fictitious characters.

The video in question appears to be just another sketch, as confirmed by the response from @Bendanonnn’s Twitter account to the post claiming “colleges are lost.”

Responding to a comment request from Newsweek, OnlyFans communications team confirmed that the individual featured in the video is not connected with the company.

“OnlyFans is not affiliated with this individual and he is not employed by nor does he represent the Company in any way. These actions are not sanctioned by OnlyFans and fall outside our acceptable use policy, which prohibits impersonating OnlyFans or one of its employees,” an OnlyFans representative responded in an email.

Following the publication of the article, a member of the Florida International University communications team reached out to Newsweek with an official statement about the incident.

“Last week a person claiming to represent a private business recorded a video in the Graham Center. The individual’s use of the space was in violation of our campus policies, and he was quickly asked to leave campus. This person is not a representative of FIU and their actions do not reflect the values of our community,” the FIU representative wrote in an email.

Newsweek has reached out to @Bendanonnn for comment.

The Ruling

False.

No, OnlyFans was not recruiting “porn stars” on a Florida college campus—the viral video is satire. The company confirmed to Newsweek that the man in the video pretending to be their representative is not affiliated with OnlyFans.

Update 2/16/22, 08:40 a.m.: This story has been updated with additional comments from the Florida International University communications team.

FACT CHECK BY NEWSWEEK