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In January, Florida gubernatorial hopeful James Fishback took aim at OnlyFans star Sophie Rain. The Republican candidate announced he planned to enact a 50% “sin tax” on Florida OnlyFans creators if elected, money he said would go in part toward boosting teacher salaries and funding school lunches.
“If you are a so-called OnlyFans creator in Florida, you are going to pay 50% to the state on whatever you so-called earn via that online degeneracy platform,” he said in a video announcing his plan, taxing creators for apparently violating his own morality clause. When Fishback posted the video, he tagged Rain directly. “Hey @SophieRaiin, Pay up *or* quit OnlyFans,” he wrote.
Well, Fishback lost, and Rain is having the last laugh. She’s also making good on part of Fishback’s promise that he can’t keep: she’s pledged to actually help Florida teachers. On social media, Rain announced she will buy teachers’ entire wish lists, getting them classroom supplies and other crucial items to prep for the school year.
Rain spoke exclusively to Playboy about her plan to actually help teachers, her thoughts on Fishback’s failed political bid, and how she plans to continue to use her platform for good.
What was your first reaction when you heard James Fishback lost his bid for Governor?
I laughed. He spent months making me and other creators into this huge campaign issue, so seeing voters reject that was pretty satisfying. I’ve always said I’m happy to have a real conversation about taxes, education, and helping people, but singling out one group of women because you don’t approve of how they make money was never the answer. Doing so, he made one big fool of himself.
Tell us about your plan to clear teachers’ wish lists. How many do you plan to clear, and what does it mean to you to be able to do this?
I want to clear as many teachers’ wish lists as I realistically can, starting with teachers here in Florida. I don’t want to throw out some huge number just because it makes a better headline, but it’s been close to $100,000 so far, and we aren’t stopping. Teachers spend way too much of their own money making sure their students have what they need, and if I can take even a little of that pressure off them, I’m happy to do it. After all, teachers are a core part of society.
Florida’s schools have been chronically underfunded, and the state ranks last in the nation in average teacher salary. As a Florida resident, how do you hope to see the incoming governor address the schools?
Teachers should be paid better — that really shouldn’t be controversial. They’re responsible for educating the next generation, and some of them are buying pencils, books, and classroom supplies with their own paychecks…thats not right at all. I hope the next governor treats teacher pay as an actual priority and finds a sustainable way to fund schools instead of turning it into a culture war talking point, something that, in my opinion, is unacceptable.
When he first announced this plan, you said you’d be happy to pay more taxes if large corporations faced the same tax rate. Why do you think Fishback targeted creators like you, rather than these multi-billion dollar organizations?
Because it’s easier to turn someone like me into a headline. Saying “Sophie Rain should pay a 50% sin tax” gets attention. Talking about corporate tax policy is a lot less exciting. I’m not against paying taxes. I already pay a lot in taxes. What bothered me was the idea that I should be taxed differently because a politician personally disapproves of my legal business.
Why do you think Fishback targeted you specifically?
Because he knew my name would get attention. I have a big platform, my earnings have been public, and I’m an easy person to use as an example when you’re trying to make something go viral. He literally calculated what he wanted to take from me publicly. At that point it stopped feeling like serious policy and started feeling personal.
You’re running your own business as an OnlyFans creator, model, and entrepreneur. What would you like people to understand about the work that goes into it?
People see a photo or a number online and assume the money just magically appears. There’s a business behind it. I’m creating content, marketing, studying what performs, working with brands and partners, managing people, making investments and making decisions every day about where I want my career to go next. You don’t have to like what I do, but pretending there isn’t real work behind building a business at this level is just dishonest.
How can teachers reach you?
Teachers can reach out to me through my verified social media accounts with their wish list and some information about their school or classroom. I have already got over 30,000 DMs and emails with wishlists from teachers across the country. I am trying to answer and fulfill as many as possible.
What have these educators shared with you?
The biggest thing I’ve seen from teachers is how normal it has become for them to spend their own money on their classrooms. They’re not asking for crazy things. A lot of it is basic supplies that students need every day— erasers, pencils. That’s what makes me want to help even more, because these are things teachers shouldn’t have to personally worry about paying for.
How much do you hope to raise? How much have you raised so far?
I’m not putting out a fundraising number until I have something verified to share. For me, the important part is how many teachers and classrooms actually get helped, not announcing some huge goal and turning it into a publicity stunt. I’m willing to put my own money behind this, and if other people want to contribute too, even better.
Has anyone special reached out to you to support, or offered donations?
Nobody I’m ready to announce yet. I would obviously love to see other creators, brands and people with big platforms get involved. If someone wants to match what I’m doing or help us clear even more lists, my DMs are open.
Is there anything else you’re planning that Playboy should know about?
This whole thing actually made me think a lot more about what I can do with my platform outside of my normal business. I’m still figuring out what that looks like, but helping teachers is something I want to keep going beyond one viral moment. I think the funniest outcome of all of this would be if a politician tried to use teachers as a reason to attack me and it ended with directly helping more teachers.
