She signed up toX-rated website OnlyFans – where users pay to view explicit photos and videos – just a month ago, but Kerry Katona’s new career is going from strength to strength. So much so, the mum of five has now joined a similar internet adult site, called Admire Me, to boost her earnings.
But as Kerry, 39, relishes her new-found success, writing online, “I’m loving doing @onlyfansofficial I feel so empowered and confident,” her fans have expressed concern.
“You don’t need to make money from this sort of thing,” wrote one last week, while another said, “Kerry, come on, you are SOOO much better than this.”
A source says, “Kerry has shrugged off the criticism. She’s loving the confidence this gives her and, of course, the money is coming in very handy. She can’t believe the success she’s had – and after years of battling with her image and confidence, she feels on top.”
Earlier this year, the star said she was doing yoga every morning and feeling better than ever, posting a picture of herself looking super toned with the caption, “Not gonna lie, my cofidence has gone through the roof”.
In an interview earlier this year she said, “I’m being such a health freak at the moment,” adding, “let’s face it, it never hurts to be sh***ing a personal trainer,” referring to boyfriend Ryan Mahoney.
Kerry initially started her OnlyFans account – which now has over 50,000 followers – by sharing snaps of herself in the shower, but her pictures have got more risqué as her popularity’s grown. In the latest shots seen by Closer, she calls herself a “dirty s**t”, urging fans to “punish her”. In others, she provocatively spreads her legs and wears sexy outfits chosen by her followers.
Insiders say Kerry – who’s been dating personal trainer Ryan since 2018 – has sparked concern among friends that she may be tempted to go further for more fans and money. They fear bipolar Kerry – who has battled an addiction to cocaine – is becoming addicted to the thrill of seeing how much she can make each day.
The source says, “She regularly checks her phone to see how many clicks she’s had – she loves the attention and is getting quite hooked. But her friends are worried about where this could lead. It started off as a bit of fun but has become a full-time business.
"They know she’s loving it, but they worry about how far she may be tempted to go to keep the money rolling in and to keep her fans interested.”
Check out: Atomic Kitten - where are they now?
Atomic Kitten WATN - STACKED
1 of 9Atomic Kitten
Glam girl band Atomic Kitten were formed in 1998, but it wasn't until 1999 that their unforgettable debut single 'Right Now' landed in the UK Top 10 music charts. They split in 2004, but came back on stage for a reunion in 2014. Check out where each of the band members are now...
2 of 9Kerry Katona THEN
Founding member Kerry Katona broke all of our hearts when she announced her decision to leave the band to focus on marriage and family. She wed Westlife singer Brian McFadden in 2002, with whom she shares her eldest daughters, Molly Marie and Lilly-Sue.
3 of 9Kerry Katona NOW
The next decade for Kerry involved becoming the queen of supermarket chain Iceland, then losing lots of money (weep), a string of unhappy marriages and alleged drunk binges - ahem, who remembers THAT infamous 2008 This Morning Interview? But by 2018, the mum-of-four had turned her life around and in 2019, she was even ready to look for love again, appearing on Celebs Go Dating. Alas, Kerry didn't find the one during her time on the show, but she is currently bossing life as a working mum. Go, Kerry.
4 of 9Liz McClarnon THEN
5 of 9Liz McClarnon NOW
While she's not as regular a telly guest as the likes of her fellow band members, Liz McClarnon has still starred in Celebrity Masterchef (which she won with her delicious dishes) and remains in the TV and music industry. Keeping a low profile eh, Liz?
6 of 9Jenny Frost THEN
Jenny from the block had been a member of the girl band Precious before she replaced Kerry Katona in 2001, when she was just 23. The singer stuck with the band until their split in 2004.
7 of 9Jenny Frost NOW
After she ditched the er, very sheer tops and parted ways from Atomic Kitten, Jenny Frost developed a successful career as a TV presenter across hit shows like BBC 3's 'Snog Marry Avoid' - who else remembers this legendary makeover show?
8 of 9Natasha Hamilton THEN
Natasha joined Atomic Kitten in 1999, replacing original band member Heidi Range - who was with the group before any songs were released. The original mutl-tasking mum, Natasha even decided to take her baby with her on the 2003 tour with Atomic Kitten. Absolute goals.
9 of 9Natasha Hamilton NOW
Since the '00s, Natasha Hamilton has been doing the rounds on the celebrity television circuit, with appearances on Celebrity Come Dine With Me, Celebrity Big Brother and First Dates. Plus, she's now a mummy to four kids - and she followed in Gwyneth Paltrow's footsteps by eating her placenta.
Chartered clinical psychologist Dr Abigael San says, “This may seems like a quick way to make money, but it’s also a quick way to erode your confidence. After all Kerry’s been though – with drug addiction in the past and mental health issues – I’m concerned she could still be very vulnerable.
"The more you’re around glamour work, the more normal it seems, and initial boundaries she’s decided on could easily move. It becomes a slippery slope. The money and validation might be appealing and even become addictive and lead you down a more graphic route than you intended.
“Equally, the superficial validation of your body can make people feel worthless and like a piece of meat, rather than being admired for her personality and what she’s achieved.”
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Last year Kerry – who has been bankrupt twice – dramatically changed her image, losing 2st through healthy eating, exercise and weight-loss injections SkinnyJab to help her shape up. And she’s now transforming her bank balance. She charges just over £20 a month to subscribe to her channel and is thought to make in the region of £5,000 monthly from subscriptions alone.
She charges additional fees for raunchier pictures and nude videos – she is believed to have earned over £150 per view for a short clip of her having a shower. Insiders say by the end of the year, she is on course to pocket up to £100,000 from it.
But pals say she has the support of Ryan and her eldest daughter Molly, 18, to whom she is close.
In 2015, Kerry revealed, “I’ve been very open and honest about my past, especially with Molly and Lilly, my eldest two. I’ve told them everything.”
The source says, “Ryan has been enjoying himself, too, as he takes a lot of the pictures and videos. Not many blokes will complain about recording videos like that of their girlfriends. But he’s also involved to keep an eye on Kerry and make sure she stays on the straight and narrow. He’s always looking after her.”
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