PAHRUMP, Nev. — Phoenix Divina, a former professional fashion model now in her mid 20s, recently discussed why she changed careers to become a successful sex worker at a brothel in Southern Nevada.
Divina said she was initially thrilled when she entered the fashion business in her teens, but left after the psychological and physical toll it took on her after seven years.
“The more inches I gained the more clients I would lose,” she said. “It was terrible for my self-esteem and when I finally quit after seven years, it felt like an invisible weight had been lifted off of me.”
Shortly after leaving the industry, Divina decided to use her good looks to make money in another way, by entering Nevada’s legal sex work scene, where she rediscovered a positive self-image at the legal brothel.
Divina works at Sheri’s Ranch, a licensed Nevada brothel about 60 miles from Las Vegas.
“I still struggle with my body image and self-esteem on a daily basis, but it’s been steadily improving since I became a sex worker,” Divina said.
“It’s such a relief to me now that I have clients who appreciate and celebrate my body just the way it is. As a sex worker, my clients value me for more than just my measurements, and even for more than the sexual services I offer. They value me for who I am as a person, internally, more than my clients in the fashion industry ever would have.”
“I get to be the most authentic version of myself as a sex worker. I appreciate my body for the pleasure it brings to both me and my client. I feel confident and empowered as a sex worker. I know that I’m good at what I do and that I’m admired and well-compensated for it,” Divina said.
The 27-year-old Divina said that she has no intention of ever returning to the fashion industry and hopes to practice sex work as her career for many years to come.
“It’s surprising to many people that I would quit modeling to become a sex worker, but it was the best decision I ever made and I don’t think I’ll ever look back.”
“People think that the sex industry is shallow, but to me it has far more depth than the fashion industry. I believe sex is sacred and transformational at a level far beyond fashion. I know some people say fashion is life, but for me, sex is life,” Divina said. “There’s not much else that I could ask for in a job.”
Check out Phoenix Divina on Twitter at @PhoenixDivina.
