‘Sydney Sweeney’s doing baby kink.’
That was the text I received from a fellow OnlyFans creator about the trailer for the American TV show, Euphoria.
I’d watched the trailer myself over the weekend and I was initially bored by the constant level of shock they attempted to draw out of me.
It showed the once-misfit high schoolers as adults making ends meet in strip clubs, as drug dealers and OnlyFans stars.
It was off-putting to me, because while I think it’s important to normalise sex work, something about the trailer felt off.
Sweeney’s Cassie has already been overly sexualised in the show, with regular nudity and sex scenes. I felt uneasy seeing her spread-eagled on a sofa, pacifier in her mouth, while Maddy, played by Alexa Demie, took her photo.
I understand the ABDL (Adult Baby/Diaper Lover) community, also known for ‘baby kink’, is a consensual act between adults who roleplay different ages, with no children involved. But not everyone understands that – and the trailer certainly doesn’t convey that nuance.
It just didn’t feel right, especially in the Epstein era, where pedophilia is never far from the public consciousness.
Although this is just a trailer, there’s nothing in the two-minute edit that suggests to me that the show will redeem itself.
When I watched the first two seasons of the show, the parts I enjoyed most were the storylines around drug addiction, especially what Rue, played by Zendaya, experienced. It felt sincere, and I think Levinson’s own personal experience with drugs comes through here.
However, while I enjoyed the representation, it seemed to pivot on one thing: the sexualisation of all the female characters. It really doesn’t help that the show’s male creator, Sam Levinson, had allegations of exploitation made against him from female cast members of his HBO series, The Idol.
Euphoria seems to be nothing more than a visual treat for controversy, with no safeguarding or thought behind it.
I feel like this intentional sexualisation is not a plotpoint, but a Levinson obsession. And when the subject matter is treated sensationally, not sensitively, the potential for harm and misinformation is significant.
I had to go on a journey to understand the ABDL kink myself.
While replying to messages on my OnlyFans a few years ago, I came across a message that caused me to pause.
‘What if I wear a nappy while I watch your videos?’
I’ve had a multitude of strange messages, but I’ve never had anyone mention a nappy before. Luckily, since I wanted his business, and he had messaged me a few times, I decided to ask him.
‘Can you tell me why? Is this your kink?’
He then happily sent paragraphs of messages, divulging that it felt to him like ultimate submission, that he revelled in being baby-like and taking on the persona of a baby.
I told him I understood, and was happy for him to wear a diaper.
I didn’t attribute it to pedophilia – he consensually and respectfully asked me, so I felt completely fine with it.
But I know most people have not had conversations like this. And it feels like both the ABDL community and victims of abuse could be left vulnerable by the show’s depiction.
Even in trailers, the showrunners are responsible for giving communities the nuance they deserve in the climate we live in. They’ve failed to fulfil those responsibilities here. All they care about is controversy, so this season, I will not be watching.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jessica.aureli@metro.co.uk.
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