Actress Jessie Cave, known for her role as Lavender Brown in the Harry Potter films, has revealed that her earnings from the OnlyFans platform in one year surpassed her entire acting career earnings. Cave, 39, turned to the content-sharing site in a state of "complete desperation" to secure income, citing dwindling acting opportunities that fit around her four children and the high cost of childcare.
"I had a breakdown and I thought, that's it with acting, I give up. But also we have no money," Cave stated. She explained that potential heckling from Harry Potter fans and the inability to afford retraining for another field contributed to her decision.
Cave joined OnlyFans, where she posts non-sexual content focused on hair fetishes, sometimes in character as Lavender Brown. Her initial post, featuring her waist-length hair, went viral and attracted approximately 3,500 subscribers paying $6 per month. She reported earning £15,000 in a single day and has accumulated more earnings in 18 months on the platform than in her entire acting career. "It's now been over a year and a half and it's genuinely saved our lives," she told The Times.
Despite her gratitude for the financial support, which subsidizes her theatre work, Cave acknowledged a naivete about the stigma associated with OnlyFans and misunderstandings regarding her content. She also noted the potential limitations of her niche, mentioning a "business decision" boob job paid for by subscribers, stating, "my hair can only do so much." Cave clarified that she does not post explicit content or engage in sexual acts on the platform, but expressed uncertainty about its long-term viability if she cannot offer more.
Difficult Experiences on Set
Cave also recounted negative experiences during her time filming the Harry Potter movies. She shared on the RESET the Pod podcast that a costume designer shamed her for weight gain, physically grabbing fat from her hips and asking "What is this?" She also stated that she was instructed to "suck in" immediately before filming a scene, which led to her crying on set. After returning for the final film having gained weight, Cave felt "treated like I was invisible," contrasting with her initial role as an "exciting love interest."
These past experiences have made Cave hesitant about the upcoming Harry Potter TV series reboot. As a mother of four, she expressed that she would not want her children to endure similar scrutiny, describing the acting profession as potentially involving "a lot of cruelty" that "hardens you."