She signed up to X-rated photo-sharing site OnlyFans a few weeks ago and, already, Kerry Katona has notched up an impressive 11,000 likes. As well as a welcome ego boost for Kerry – who has dropped from a size 16 to an 8 last year – it’s also enhanced the twice-bankruptstar’s dwindling bank balance.
A source tells us, “When Kerry first looked into the idea of an OnlyFans site, she was wary. If people don’t click to look at your pictures, it can be a massive dent to your confidence. But, thankfully, the response has been amazing for Kerry. She’s had loads of people liking her pictures and posting positive messages on the site.”
Danielle Lloyd – who has been on the site since late last year and has 4,000 fewer likes than Kerry – showed her support after Kerry was initially trolled for her decision to sign up, tweeting, “F*** what people say Kerry, as long as you’re happy and it’s good for your confidence. Good luck.”
Kerry responded by posting, “Babe I do photo shoots [like] this all the time for the papers and mags but now I’m in control! And I’m loving it! Thanks for your help babe.”
As Closer reported last week, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen the mum of five lose a lot of work, which is a concern as she’s been declared bankrupt twice in the past.
But the money she is earning from OnlyFans – where fans pay to view photos and videos of her and Kerry takes 80 per cent of the fee – has been a huge help. Although insiders reveal pals can’t help but feel concerned about the emotional impact this could have on Kerry, 39, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has battled addiction in the past.
The star has been very honest about her mental health struggles, and as recently as 21 April she posted to Instagram, “I’d be lying if I said I’m OK. This is such a roller coaster. One day I’m positive, motivated, inspired, so grateful and productive. The next day I’m emotionally drained, scared, crippled with anxiety and stay in bed all day crying.”
Kerry has reportedly already shared a series of provocative shots to her OnlyFans account. Shots seemingly of the star – with her distinctive tattoos – appeared on Instagram.
In one, she was on all fours wearing a thong, another showed her topless, and two other pictures appeared to show her in the shower pressing her naked breasts and buttocks against the shower screen.
And on Kerry’s Instagram account, where she regularly promotes a subscription to her OnlyFans page, she has had a number of requests from fans outlining their sexual fantasies, including, “Can I get happy endings?”, “We all would love to see her nude”, and, “So spankable.”
Psychological therapist Emma Kenny, who has previously interviewed the former Atomic Kitten singer for Closer is worried it’s comments like these that could push Kerry to a dark place.
She says, “I can’t help worrying that with these kinds of sites, celebrities may be viewed as sexual puppets to be used by others. This is the last thing someone who has struggled with their mental health needs. She may feel happy and validated by the reaction of her fans, but if it doesn’t last, she could be left feeling very fragile.
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Kerry Katona calls ex Brian McFadden a 'dick' after wedding jibe
“The more you’re around glamour work, the more it normalises. Your boundaries might be strong initially and then they just ask you to do a little more, which poses the risk of things leading into more seedy acts and leading a secret double life. I’m not saying it happens to everybody, but when you’re doing something to pay for your kids and your food, it’s different.
"It’s not like Kerry’s a multimillionaire doing this for fun – she’s doing it because she needs to. Whenever you need to do something, you don’t have all the power and, in the end, that can threaten your future, as you might not always do things that are best for you.
"Kerry is the loveliest woman and I worry for her. She’s come on leaps and bounds in recent months and is doing so well – she’s a fantastic human and a brilliant mum. But someone with bipolar needs a stable working environment, not one where how you feel may be dictated by others.”
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.
Watch: Molly-Mae: ‘Sometimes you had to do things you didn’t want to’ | Love Island secrets
Kerry, however, has reassured pals that she’s not going to let anything bring her down and will be careful with her new career.
It’s not the first time she’s ventured into X-rated work, having previously revealed she worked as a topless model and a lap dancer in her youth. And she’s certainly proved that she’s tougher than people think.
She grew up in care, went on to survive two abusive relationships and three divorces and yet she’s now emerged stronger than ever, thanks to therapy and the support of her fitness trainer boyfriend Ryan Mahoney.
The source says, “Kerry always bounces back. She’s not a vulnerable teenager, she’s a fully grown woman with kids. She knows that her popularity might not last and is prepared for it. This is the best she’s felt in a long time and she’s not going to jeopardise it.”
Read even more enthralling celeb stories in this week's Closer magazine - out now.
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