From her pole-dancing roots in 2013 after taking time off from graduating college magna cum laude, to her vibrant stardom as a top-tier adult entertainer extraordinaire today, 2021 XBIZ Female Clip Artist of the Year Reya Sunshine is the ultimate modern day indie creator.
She’s stylish as hell, shoots with super fancy cameras (purchased with the hard-earned cash she wisely reinvests into her productions and wellness), rocks her fitness goals and is now making a big splash with a pivot into boy/girl content.
Showing unwavering acceptance to my customers for their particular tastes is just another way my work becomes meaningful to me.
And, Sunshine lives up to her name by shining so many rays of that solar charisma across tons of platforms spanning OnlyFans, ManyVids, Pornhub, Brazzers+, MyFreeCams, FanCentro and more.
She is even huge on YouTube, with around 250K subscribers and tens of thousands of views on every video she posts! Not to mention, she has amassed around 150K followers on Twitter and 3 million on Instagram.
Sunshine is also happy to share her knowledge, and generously laid out all of her philosophies, experiences and goals in this exclusive Clip Star of the Month interview. Pull up a beach towel and bask in her warmth!
XBIZ: Tell us about your journey into adult. When did you take the plunge and why?
Sunshine: I started in the “adult entertainment” industry in 2013. I had just graduated from college and was planning on taking some time off before continuing on to graduate school: I studied psychology and dance in college ... and I graduated magna cum laude! That little tidbit is for the trolls who tell me to “go to school.”
It was a very interesting time in my life, as I had lost my mom to cancer during college, and I was finally taking a break to really heal and explore myself, how I spent my time, and what I wanted out of life. Losing a loved one is always tragic, yet also beautifully profound. When someone close to you dies, especially if they die “too young,” you’re faced with the finiteness of life. This was a powerful motivator to me to make sure I experienced all that I want out of life.
During this time of self-exploration, I started pole dancing. As a lifelong dancer with an interest in things my Christian mother would have deemed “sinful,” pole dancing was a fitting new hobby for me. Inspired by how amazing it felt to express my sexuality through dance, I had a “eureka” insight one night while practicing in my bedroom: “I should get paid for this!”
So it was in this pursuit of living life to the fullest and a natural yearning to experience the thrill of working in a strip club, that I decided to take the plunge. I dipped my toes in slowly and started exotic dancing at a bikini bar. The novelty was thrilling and the challenge of hustling (that part did not come naturally to me) kept me interested.
I had heard of webcamming and was super intrigued. Well aware of the life-long implications that come with doing adult work online, I waited a couple of years before deciding to bring my strip club experience to the world wide web. While hustling and sales were a challenge, branding and marketing definitely did come naturally to me! Inspired by cam girls and bikini baristas, I started building up a social media following while dancing at the club.
It was fun for me and I was also really curious if I could get it big enough to bring in new customers to see me at my small little bikini bar (I did!). At a certain point, I realized I had already given myself the “scarlet letter” to an extent, given that I had branded myself as a stripper online. Having dipped my toe in and knowing I’d be more likely to regret something I didn’t try vs. something I did and didn’t like ... I decided to take the plunge into webcamming!
Because my decision to begin webcamming was very calculated, I already had a handful of clips I had created, ready to sell during my first cam show, which was January 1, 2016. I started with non-nude style clips, then progressed to topless and nude softcore content. I eventually took the step to start doing “cum shows” and masturbation content once I had established a name for myself.
My cam shows helped my social following grow more, which in turn helped my cam shows and clips. My popularity at the bikini bar continued to rise with my online presence. The fact that customers could go home and tune into my webcam shows after my shift to see much more than they could at the club was exciting for them (as well as for me!).
My journey through online adult entertainment progressed in much the same fashion: leveraging my presence on various platforms (both online and at the club) in order to build a brand. “Brand” has always been my guiding light. It’s just how my brain works and what I find fun. I will often make decisions to benefit my brand long-term at the expense of short-term financial gain. If I focused on profit, I probably could have made more money faster, but I think the brand strategy is starting to pay off.
XBIZ: Compare and contrast the kinds of clips you created when you first started, to what you’re producing now. What’s changed and what’s stayed the same?
Sunshine: Since I started online adult entertainment, I’ve progressed through different styles - stripping, webcamming, clips, feature dancing, girl/girl to hardcore b/g content - in stages. Moving one step at a time has been intentional for a couple reasons. One being to test my comfort and enjoyment of the work before jumping ahead too far and possibly regretting it. The other reason being a business strategy to build up demand in order to capitalize fully on each “first”. It’s been a strategy that has worked well for me and has helped keep my work stimulating for me.
In my early days of making clips, I used my iPhone or webcam to record. The editing was minimal and the lighting wasn’t great. Since then, I’ve leveled up my video, lighting, and sound equipment many times over. I now hire a videographer to help me with most clips. So I have assistance and professional quality video, lighting and sound! Though it’s certainly not necessary in order to be successful, I love that I’m able to do this. The 8K RED cinema camera I now use helps my content stand out, especially for the quality nerds! I also hope it helps my content retain more longevity into the future as video quality standards continue to rise.
And now, obviously, my clips have changed in the sense that I’m shooting some boy/girl content instead of just solo or girl/girl. It’s a whole new world for me, and I’m already having a lot of fun experiencing it! Even though I’m now shooting with male talent instead of dildos, it’s still me directing and calling the shots. I decide what I do, how it looks, etc. I don’t think that will ever change.
XBIZ: Talk about the ways that a career in adult has helped you evolve personally and professionally.
Sunshine: I absolutely love that I’m able to have this independent career in adult entertainment. I’ve been able to obtain a level of financial and personal freedom that is hard to imagine having in any other field. I love the creative control I have over everything from what kind of content I create and when, to how I interact with fans and promote my work. I’ve also learned so much about branding, marketing and running a business, that I’m confident I could successfully start and run another business should I decide to move on.
On a personal level, my career has been a way to heal sexual shame and practice extending that acceptance to others as well. I have been masturbating for as long as I can remember (some girls figure it out early; it’s not sexual, it’s simply physical). While well-intentioned, my mom did not handle it well. I think it really scared her, especially as a devout Christian, and she repeatedly reprimanded me for doing it without explanation. I just knew it was “wrong/bad,” but I also knew I enjoyed it. I grew up with immense shame around it, before I even knew that what I was doing was masturbation! I was taught so little about it, that I actually thought there was something deeply “wrong” with me as a human being. I was so ashamed for so long for this natural human experience, that I thought was mortifyingly unique to me.
To decidedly and boldly take ownership over my sexuality has been both healing and exciting. I love that I can now embrace and profit off of this part of myself that was wrongly shamed for so long. I also delight in the ability to share my experience and hopefully help others who have been traumatically shamed for their sexuality. Many people turn to webcam models or custom amateur content in order to fulfill fetishes they may not be comfortable bringing up in real life. Being kinky or having a fetish is so understandable and beautiful to me, but I know much of the world doesn’t see it that way. Showing unwavering acceptance to my customers for their particular tastes is just another way my work becomes meaningful to me. I hope to be a source of sexual healing to my customers. I’m someone who accepts them on a sexual level, no matter their experience or interests.
XBIZ: How did you build such a large subscriber-base on YouTube? Discuss your content strategy.
Sunshine: My content strategy for YouTube falls in line with my overall brand strategy. I try to be “everywhere” as much as possible. Each platform helps me build my brand, which in turn helps each platform grow, whether that be a social media platform or my adult content platforms. YouTube has been a grind and a slow build. I didn’t start it to make money off of it, which is a good thing since they stripped my channel of the ability to monetize because of who I am. I do post content about the adult industry, but I’m careful to expressly follow all guidelines. I have noticed unfair removal of thumbnails and videos that are nowhere near as provocative as some posted by mainstream YouTubers, but being discriminated against is unfortunately par for the course in this field.
I value YouTube as a way for new fans to find me. It also offers a unique way to connect with my fans. I’m able to show a side of my personality that you wouldn’t pick up from a XXX clip you purchased or from my Instagram feed full of pretty pictures. It’s also a way to show fans of the industry a behind the scenes look at what it’s like to be an adult content creator. I’m well-known for posting my “feature vlogs” where I vlog my experience traveling, preparing and performing during my feature dance gigs. Of course, this circles back to my overall marketing strategy of leveraging one platform to boost another. The YouTube vlogs bring attention to my feature dancing, and the feature dancing brings content and credibility to my YouTube channel.
XBIZ: Describe the different ways you use social media on various platforms like Twitter, TikTok and Snapchat.
Sunshine: Thank fuck for Twitter, the only big social platform that still allows adult promotion! I use Twitter to directly promote my adult content on all of the platforms that I’m on (OnlyFans, Brazzers+, ManyVids, Pornhub, Modelhub, Fancentro, MFC, Camsoda, etc.). I feel a little bad for the flood of promo my fans get from my Twitter, but with a busy schedule and limited platforms for adult promo, that’s what happens.
It is the only social platform that allows nudity and porn clips, so I’m sure a lot of followers are there for that as well. I recently made a SFW Twitter account: @reyasunshinetv. I wanted an account that wouldn’t be shadowbanned, so that people looking for my Twitter could actually find ME instead of the scammer “fake Reyas” that way too many people fall prey to.
I have only dabbled in TikTok (also @reyasunshinetv), but it’s been fun so far! I’m very careful to keep my vibe SFW on there, as I know the audience skews young and TikTok has little tolerance for risqué content. I still value the platform as a way to strengthen my brand.
Instagram (@reya__sunshine - 2 underscores!) has been a tumultuous ride, but it’ll always have a special place in my heart as my breakout platform. My brand grew up and out of my Instagram. I fondly remember the days when I could post a close-up picture of my booty in a thong, or have a video go viral of a stripper enthusiastically spanking me in the locker room. Sigh. I really feel like a shell of my former self on Instagram. It’s a shame, but again, the discrimination is par for the course with a career in adult entertainment. The angle I now take on IG is “documentation.” I do not promote my adult content on IG, but I still document my life as an adult entertainer.
XBIZ: What are the main adult content platforms you use? Which of your revenue streams are most profitable?
Sunshine: OnlyFans is on fire right now! It’s currently my highest earning adult platform and I’m loving the mainstream popularity. I’m also doing better than I ever have on ManyVids after my first-ever boy/girl release. It’s super exciting to move up in popularity and monthly rank after being active on the site for several years.
I’ve also recently joined Brazzers+! I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of Brazzers, while still owning the content. The platform has some really awesome features and I’m excited to grow with it.
I’m also on Pornhub and Modelhub. I use my Pornhub channel to post trailers or NSFW vlogs, and I sell my XXX clips on Modelhub. I was super bummed that Visa/Mastercard temporarily withdrew their services from Pornhub. I made a YouTube video about it if you’re interested in knowing more!
I also still webcam on MyFreeCams! I only cam on MFC once per week now, as it’s not as much of a focus for me as it was in the beginning of my career. Even so, I value having my “eggs in many baskets” and want to maintain an audience on as many platforms as possible!
XBIZ: Discuss any budgeting advice you have for affording tip-top shooting equipment, cosmetic investments and wardrobe.
Sunshine: I have several different savings accounts in addition to my main checking account. These are labeled so I can visually keep track of my money and what I’m saving it for. Each time I receive a deposit, a percentage goes straight into my “taxes” savings account. That way, I’m financially prepared when it’s time to pay quarterly taxes. I also have separate savings accounts for equipment, buying a home and general “rainy day” savings. I set up auto deposits either weekly or bi-monthly for these accounts.
I devote a lot of my time and resources to my brand, so it’s natural to make a savings account for business investments. I’ve been able to save for and purchase a $70,000 RED Monstro 8K cinema camera, a $30,000 Mac Pro computer and a $23,000 breast revision! Having the money visually in different accounts helps me stay motivated and also keeps my spending in check.
XBIZ: How do you maintain your physique as far as exercise, dieting and more?
Sunshine: I’m very out of shape at the moment. I’ve grown what my fans and I affectionately refer to as my “mac n’ cheese booty”. Haha! The booty has grown ... but it ain’t from squats! I joke about being lazy and eating poorly now, but I do actually love to be in shape. I’m a huge fan of combining yoga and HIIT workouts. I also love pole dancing, which requires incredible strength. I don’t drink alcohol which helps me stay slim(ish) and don’t consume sugar or high-fructose corn syrup because it makes me break out.
XBIZ: What was it like winning the 2021 XBIZ Clip Artist of the Year award?
Sunshine: AH-MA-ZING!!! I am so, so thrilled! Winning this award couldn’t have come at a better time in my career! Starting my journey with boy/girl content is a huge milestone, and I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to further the hype by winning XBIZ Clip Artist of the Year! I also want to point out that there are so many talented clip artists deserving of recognition! It’s truly an honor to be nominated multiple times, let alone win the award.
XBIZ: Give us a glimpse of your biggest goals for 2021 and beyond.
Sunshine: I’m super excited for my new journey with boy/girl content! It’s something my fans have been hoping for ever since I started creating adult content. So it’s really fun to be able to fulfill their ultimate fantasies, and of course, see increased sales as a result! I’m looking forward to continuing to grow my brand through this next phase of my career. I’m also interested in starting to refine my acting and sexual expression on camera. I’ve only just begun using living, breathing men instead of dildos, and it’s a world of difference! I love that I now have someone I get to interact with and feed off of, instead of having to craft my dialogue around a dildo. I’m also really interested in learning how to convey different types of sexual tension on camera. I want to challenge myself to make porn that even I find arousing, which is a tall order.
