A pop-up event at Gold Coast‘s Pacific Fair shopping centre has ignited controversy after featuring OnlyFans star and social media influencer Anna Paul.
The meet-and-greet event saw a crowd of over 200 fans including teens and children gather to meet the influencer, 24, and purchase products from her new skincare brand, Paullie Skin.
The event included a Q&A session and photo opportunities with the popular TikTok star, whose social media presence promotes body positivity and lifestyle content.
However, Anna’s young fanbase at the event sparked a heated debate as it divided parents and the local community.
Gold Coast mother-of-two Georgia Clifford, who is the wife of eight-time world wakeboarding champion Harley Clifford, voiced her concerns after witnessing the turnout at the event.
‘Had a realisation today at Pacific Fair and seeing all those young kids lining up to meet this OnlyFans chick,’ Georgina posted to her Instagram.
‘I’m worried for our younger generations with what we are promoting. Pacific Fair, yes you dam(n) right sent the wrong message today.’
Ms Clifford expressed her disappointment, saying such events encourage children to ‘admire’ the ‘behaviours, attitudes and images’ of online personalities like Ms Paul.
‘I’m literally disgusted and actually cried tonight thinking of what this world is coming to for my son and daughter,’ she added.
The Australian OnlyFans creator has openly described her profession as a sex worker, having previously used Twitter to advertise her explicit content.
Despite this, her TikTok and Instagram profiles focus on body positivity and the everyday aspects of her life.
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However, defending Ms Paul, breakfast radio star and mother Emily Jade O’Keeffe cautioned against quick judgments.
‘While I don’t follow Anna Paul, there is more to her than just ‘sex worker’,’ she told The Gold Coast Bulletin.
‘She’s an entrepreneur, connected well with her audience on all platforms and pioneered connecting with them to her benefit. My daughter is a fan of her cosmetics and her other social media platforms.’