Miesha Tate, 35-year-old MMA fighting dynamo, had a classic case of jamming her foot in her mouth when she put the kibosh on requests to open an OnlyFans page after she responded to one supporter on her YouTube Channel: “No. Where in this video did I say I was desperate?”

The word “desperate” was a match to a powder keg.  Kneejerk reactions, scathing cancel culture tweets and a lashing out at Tate’s poor choice of words exploded all over the Internet.  Everyone from OnlyFans creators who felt she was looking down her nose in judgement, to UFC bantamweight fighter Julia Avila (who responded on social media), had their feathers ruffled:

“This is aggravating. Yes, women have an OnlyFans and what of it?  Maybe they want attention. Maybe they want an extra dollar.  Maybe they just WANT TO CELEBRATE THEIR WOMANHOOD AND HOW FUCKING GORGEOUS THEY ARE.  it’s not our place to judge or to tear down another woman for it. Fix your crown queen before casting stones on another because, honey, NONE of us are without fault and it’s a hard fucking world without having to tear one another down. 🐼💜 rather than criticizing how about, ‘it’s not for me’, plain and simple.”

Tate, who was interviewed on “The MMA Hour,” attempted to set the record straight by saying the whole thing started because she was being harassed by fans who would not stop asking her to open a page:  “… start an OnlyFans, retire, do an OnlyFans, retire, do an OnlyFans,” and I’m like guys I’m not desperate for that, I wanna fight.”

She explained that this was not a judgement on others’ choices but that she wanted to be thought of as a fighter first and foremost.  She further admitted she didn’t choose her words wisely because she had let a needling fan “kinda piss me off.”  Finally, Tate went on to give a heartfelt apology to anyone that she had offended and reiterated she supported whatever women wanted to do.

It’s nice to see that so many back the creators who make their living from OnlyFans.  However, is this anger misplaced against Tate?  Was she the person to be held up as an example?  Did she deserve the public caning she received?

It’s understandable why there were kneejerk reactions; simply being on OnlyFans is enough to set you up for a lot of unfair judgement — unless you happen to be a celebrity, in which case you’re considered “entrepreneurial.”

As reported on by The Complex, who talked about the Bella Thorne/OnlyFans controversy: “Many slammed Thorne and other celebrities for using OnlyFans as what they perceived to be a hobby, which caused financial losses for those who rely on the platform to make a living. They also took issue with the fact that early OnlyFans users were chastised for using a platform known for adult content, while celebrities were subsequently praised as “entrepreneurs” when they chose to join.”

This writer thinks the whole thing was taken out of context and that Tate, a longtime supporter of women’s right to do whatever they want, just made a mistake.  I’m not the only one who thinks this, as adult performer Kendra Lust came to Tate’s defense, tweeting:

I know Miesha she is a friend ❤️ .. i know how she said it came off .. but i know thats not how she meant it. She has supported me always. I believe her 💯 Miesha is one the sweetest that would never intentionally put down other women for there career choices because its adult

— Kendra Lust™ (@KendraLust) January 13, 2022

This writer also thinks Avila, who shored up her initial rant with a caveat – “I really hope that this was taken out of context because I’ve always respected her as a role model for other people. So, I’ll give the benefit of a doubt” – should’ve actually given Tate “the benefit of the doubt” as she so ‘generously’ threw in after she had already skewered Tate.

But this is the nature of online media. The negative is upheld, drama is celebrated, the fire is stoked.  Public figures must tread carefully when making ANY comments online (even if it’s not a public statement, which this wasn’t) — mistakes cannot be made, or you’re gonna get crucified.  In other words, don’t be human.

To Tate, her comment was about her OWN desperation not anyone else’s.  She isn’t desperate to retire, and she doesn’t want any other career than fighting.  Ironically, isn’t this saying something good about OnlyFans?  That she thinks of it as an actual job and career that would replace her current one?  I would also be willing to bet she probably isn’t “desperate” to waitress, work in an office or be a social media influencer either.  Does that mean she’s judging those as well?  No.  It just means she wants to fight, not spend her time on OnlyFans.

In final defense, I think one has to look at Tate’s career overall.  She’s a woman in what some consider a man’s sport.  She’s had her share of negs, discrimination, misogyny and more. So, when she ended with – “I’m such a big supporter and proponent of women doing whatever they want” – I believe her.  Because she’s walked that walk.

Skewered meat photo by Caleb Oquendo from Pexels