The Sex Tape Economy: From Kim Kardashian to the Newmans
The New Yorker's culture column examines the evolution of celebrity sex tapes, using Kim Kardashian's rise as a historical benchmark. The article traces Kardashian's path from a 2007 leaked tape to global superstardom, contextualizing it within the convergence of smartphones, social media, and reality TV. It contrasts her trajectory with contemporary figures like OnlyFans models Sophie Rain and Camilla Araujo, who have built substantial followings through digital sex work but face different dynamics. The piece then focuses on the Newman family, former child basketball prodigies Julian and Jaden, whose recent leaked explicit video has been met with a controversial response: rather than expressing outrage, they have sought to capitalize on the notoriety, appearing on podcasts and live streams. The article argues that the cultural impact of a sex tape has diminished as adult content becomes integrated into social media, and that the Newmans' active promotion of the leak transforms it from a scandal into mere pornography. It also highlights the historical context of celebrity sex tapes, including those of Rob Lowe, Chuck Berry, Pamela Anderson, and Tommy Lee, and notes the personal toll such leaks have taken on figures like Paris Hilton and Kardashian herself.
Key facts
- Kim Kardashian's sex tape with Ray J was released in 2007, titled 'Kim Kardashian, Superstar'.
- Kardashian launched 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' on E! network, which became a defining show of the 21st century.
- OnlyFans and similar platforms now allow individuals to gain visibility through digital sex work.
- Sophie Rain debated a Republican congressional candidate on Piers Morgan's talk show.
- Camilla Araujo has become a mainstay on popular YouTube shows and podcasts.
- Julian Newman is a 24-year-old former child basketball prodigy; his sister Jaden is about two years younger.
- Jaden Newman's Snapchat was allegedly hacked, and an explicit video circulated online.
- The Newman family appeared on 'No Jumper' podcast, where Jaden said she decided to 'capitalize off of it'.
- Julian Newman had encouraged Jaden to launch an OnlyFans account since she turned 18.
- The Newman family joined a live stream with N3on, where Jamie joked about a threesome with his daughter.
- Historical sex tapes include Rob Lowe's 1988 incident, Chuck Berry's leaked footage, and Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's honeymoon tape.
- Paris Hilton described the leak of her sex tape as 'like being raped' in a 2018 documentary.
- Kardashian told Oprah in 2012 that she had to work ten times harder to be seen as her real self.
Entities
Artists
- Kim Kardashian
- Ray J
- Paris Hilton
- Sophie Rain
- Camilla Araujo
- Julian Newman
- Jaden Newman
- Jamie Newman
- Rob Lowe
- Chuck Berry
- Pamela Anderson
- Tommy Lee
- Kris Jenner
- Piers Morgan
- Adam22
- N3on
- Oprah Winfrey
- Minette Hillyer
- C. Wright Mills
- Jay Caspian Kang
Institutions
- E! network
- OnlyFans
- Fanfix
- Snapchat
- YouTube
- No Jumper
- Pillow Talk
- Good Morning America
- The New York Times
- The New Yorker
- California State University, Los Angeles
- N.B.A.
Locations
- Los Angeles
- Atlanta
- United States