In today‘s digital age, social media has become a powerful tool for individuals to build their brand, showcase their talents, and connect with audiences across the globe. However, this increased visibility also comes with its own set of challenges, particularly for those in the adult content creation industry. The recent controversy surrounding Karely Ruiz, a popular Mexican adult content creator, and her alleged involvement with rapper Babo Cartel de Santa has once again brought these issues to the forefront.
The Rise of Karely Ruiz: From Social Media Influencer to Adult Content Creator
Karely Ruiz, a 22-year-old from Monterrey, Mexico, has built a massive following on social media platforms through her stunning photos and videos. With over 7.6 million followers on Instagram and 630k on TikTok, Karely has become one of the most popular influencers in Latin America.
However, her journey to fame has not been without controversy. In 2020, Karely made the decision to transition from traditional social media content to adult content creation on platforms like OnlyFans. This move was met with both praise and criticism from her fans and the general public.
Despite the backlash, Karely‘s popularity has only continued to grow. According to data from OnlyFans, she is currently one of the top 10 earners on the platform, with an estimated monthly income of over $500,000 (Influencer Marketing Hub, 2021).
Babo Cartel de Santa: The Rapper Turned Adult Content Creator
Eduardo Dávalos De Luna, better known by his stage name Babo Cartel de Santa, is a Mexican rapper who has also ventured into the world of adult content creation. With over 1 million followers on Twitter and 8.7 million on Instagram, Babo has a significant following in the Latin American music scene.
In March 2023, Babo released a music video for his song "Piensa en Mi" on YouTube, which quickly gained over 4.4 million views in just five days. However, it was the explicit version of the video, released on his OnlyFans account, that garnered the most attention.
The explicit video featured several popular adult content creators, including Kelly Madanie, Gaby Lily, Alixia, and Alieda Ramirez. The pay-per-view model utilized by Babo on OnlyFans has become increasingly popular among celebrities and influencers looking to monetize their content.
The Alleged Video and the Spread of Misinformation on Social Media
As the explicit video featuring Babo and other adult content creators gained traction on social media, rumors began to circulate that Karely Ruiz was also involved. The speculation was fueled by the fact that both Karely and Babo are prominent figures in the adult content creation industry and have collaborated in the past.
However, Karely quickly took to her social media platforms to address the rumors. In a series of Facebook posts, she clarified that she was not involved in Babo‘s latest music video. "Imagine if I had appeared in that video," she wrote in one post.
Despite Karely‘s efforts to set the record straight, the alleged video continued to spread on social media, particularly on Twitter. This highlights the power of social media algorithms in amplifying viral content and the potential for misinformation to spread rapidly.
According to a study by MIT, false news stories are 70% more likely to be retweeted than true stories (Vosoughi et al., 2018). This tendency for misinformation to spread quickly on social media can have serious consequences for individuals and society as a whole.
The Impact of Controversies on Social Media Influencers‘ Careers
For social media influencers and adult content creators like Karely Ruiz, controversies and rumors can have a significant impact on their careers. In an industry where public image is everything, even the slightest hint of scandal can lead to a loss of followers, sponsorships, and revenue.
In Karely‘s case, the alleged video controversy has not seemed to have a negative impact on her popularity. In fact, her social media following has continued to grow in the wake of the rumors.
However, this is not always the case. In 2019, popular YouTuber James Charles lost over 3 million subscribers in just a few days after being accused of inappropriate behavior towards straight men (BBC, 2019). The incident highlights the precarious nature of fame in the digital age and the importance of reputation management for social media influencers.
The Growing Trend of Celebrities Joining Adult Content Creation Platforms
The controversy surrounding Karely Ruiz and Babo Cartel de Santa is just one example of the growing trend of celebrities and influencers joining adult content creation platforms like OnlyFans. In recent years, several high-profile figures, including Bella Thorne, Cardi B, and Tyga, have created accounts on the platform, sparking debates about the mainstreaming of adult content.
According to data from OnlyFans, the platform has seen a significant increase in creators and subscribers since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2020, the platform reported a 75% increase in new creator registrations compared to the previous month (OnlyFans, 2020).
This trend has not been without controversy, however. In August 2020, Bella Thorne faced backlash from sex workers and adult content creators after earning over $1 million on OnlyFans in just 24 hours (Rolling Stone, 2020). Many accused Thorne of gentrifying the platform and taking opportunities away from those who rely on adult content creation as their primary source of income.
The Future of Adult Content Creation and the Need for Regulation
As the adult content creation industry continues to grow and evolve, there are increasing calls for greater regulation and oversight. While platforms like OnlyFans have provided a space for creators to monetize their content, there are concerns about the lack of protections for creators and the potential for exploitation.
In 2021, OnlyFans announced plans to ban sexually explicit content on its platform, citing pressure from banking partners and payment providers (BBC, 2021). The decision was met with outrage from creators and subscribers, and the company quickly reversed its decision.
However, the incident highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the adult content creation industry. As more celebrities and influencers enter the space, it is crucial that there are clear guidelines and protections in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved.
The controversy surrounding Karely Ruiz and Babo Cartel de Santa also underscores the importance of digital literacy in navigating the complex landscape of social media. With the proliferation of fake news and misinformation, it is crucial that individuals have the skills to critically evaluate the content they consume online.
According to a report by the National Literacy Trust, only 2% of children and young people in the UK have the critical literacy skills needed to identify fake news (National Literacy Trust, 2018). This highlights the need for greater education and resources to help individuals develop the necessary skills to navigate the digital world.
Conclusion: Towards a More Transparent and Empathetic Digital World
The Karely Ruiz video controversy is just one example of the many challenges and complexities of the digital age. As social media continues to shape our lives and culture, it is crucial that we approach these issues with empathy, nuance, and a commitment to transparency and accountability.
For adult content creators like Karely Ruiz, this means having the freedom to express themselves and monetize their content without fear of stigma or backlash. It also means having access to the resources and protections needed to ensure their safety and well-being.
For social media platforms and tech companies, it means taking greater responsibility for the content that is shared on their platforms and working to combat the spread of misinformation and fake news. It means providing greater transparency around their algorithms and data practices and being accountable to the communities they serve.
Ultimately, building a more equitable and empathetic digital world will require the efforts of all stakeholders – from creators and consumers to tech companies and policymakers. By approaching these challenges with openness, compassion, and a commitment to the greater good, we can create a digital landscape that is more inclusive, more trustworthy, and more beneficial to all.
References
- BBC. (2019). James Charles: The darkest time of my life. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-48297341
- BBC. (2021). OnlyFans suspends plans to ban sexually explicit content. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58331808
- Influencer Marketing Hub. (2021). OnlyFans creator earnings: How much do OnlyFans creators make? Retrieved from https://influencermarketinghub.com/onlyfans-creator-earnings/
- National Literacy Trust. (2018). Fake news and critical literacy: The final report of the Commission on Fake News and the Teaching of Critical Literacy in Schools. Retrieved from https://literacytrust.org.uk/research-services/research-reports/fake-news-and-critical-literacy-final-report/
- OnlyFans. (2020). OnlyFans 2020 year in review. Retrieved from https://onlyfans.com/blog/onlyfans-2020-year-in-review
- Rolling Stone. (2020). Bella Thorne made $1 million on OnlyFans in 24 hours. Sex workers aren‘t happy. Retrieved from https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/bella-thorne-onlyfans-sex-workers-1051389/
- Vosoughi, S., Roy, D., & Aral, S. (2018). The spread of true and false news online. Science, 359(6380), 1146-1151. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aap9559