Jessie Cave, known for her role as Lavender Brown in the "Harry Potter" film franchise, has spoken candidly about the financial pressures that led her to join the subscription-based platform OnlyFans. Despite her past involvement in the popular movie series, Cave stated that the residual income from the films and subsequent acting roles were insufficient to support her four children.
During an appearance on ITV's "This Morning," Cave explained that many people assume she is wealthy due to her "Harry Potter" connection, but that is not the reality. "I was in Harry Potter, but it was a smallish part, and it was 20 years ago," she said. "I've done little roles ever since, and I've mainly done comedy."
Cave launched her OnlyFans account in March 2025, initially posting videos of herself styling her hair. She described the content as catering to a niche audience interested in hair. The subscription fee is $6 per month. She noted that balancing an acting career with raising four children, particularly the costs associated with childcare and travel for performances like the Edinburgh Festival, became increasingly challenging.
"I have felt like I've had to apologize a lot," Cave stated, adding that she wanted to continue creating art while also raising her family. She explained that consistent acting work is rare for many performers, and she had been managing financially for 18 years before reaching a point where she needed to explore other options.
Cave revealed that the platform has been financially significant, stating she earned "more, easily, than my entire acting career within one year." She had initially anticipated making a modest amount to provide a temporary financial cushion while she figured out her next career steps, but the platform has become crucial for her family's stability. "It’s now been over a year and a half, and it’s genuinely saved our lives," she said.
Inspiration to join OnlyFans came from fellow musicians Lily Allen and Kate Nash, who had also established presences on the platform. Cave mentioned that Allen had used her feet for income, and Nash had funded tours through her page. Cave, who primarily performs one-woman shows with puppets, identified herself as a "struggling artist."
She initially viewed the platform as a temporary solution, especially after the birth of her fourth child, as she found it difficult to navigate her career while primarily at home. The income generated allowed her to fund future artistic endeavors, such as new shows or tours. With her children now approaching school age, Cave anticipates having more time to focus on her career.
Cave also shared that the experience has boosted her confidence as a woman. "It's really opened me up and definitely made me more confident as a woman because I've always just been very awkward, very, very weird. And this has kind of made me be like, 'Oh, I can actually just do a photo of myself and try and look hot.' And that's quite nice," she said. She emphasized that while there are challenges, there is also beauty in engaging with a global audience on the platform.