Lana Rhoades is a social media influencer, entrepreneur, and former adult film actress with over 14 million Instagram followers. Born Amara Maple in 1996, she spent eight months in the adult industry before transitioning to content creation, podcasting, and business ventures. She now serves as Chief Creative Director at Hidden, an adult content platform.
Lana Rhoades represents one of the most talked-about career transitions in modern social media. You might know her name from viral clips, controversial interviews, or her massive online following. But who is she beyond the headlines?
This article breaks down her background, career journey, and what she does today in 2026.
Her Early Life and Background
Amara Lynne Maple was born on September 6, 1996, in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in McHenry, a suburb northwest of Chicago, raised by a single mother alongside four siblings.
Her childhood was marked by financial struggles and family challenges. An older sister with schizophrenia required significant care, leaving Amara feeling neglected.
By age 14, she became interested in modeling after watching The Girls Next Door. Her teenage years took a difficult turn when she got involved with drugs and crime. At 16, she was sentenced to juvenile detention for burglary, earning her GED during incarceration before being released after one year.
She then worked minimum wage jobs at places like Tilted Kilt. At 18, she submitted photos to Playboy and was selected as a Cyber Girl, launching her modeling career.
The Adult Film Career That Made Her Famous
In 2016, at age 20, Amara entered the adult entertainment industry under the stage name Lana Rhoades. The name was suggested by her first agent, combining “Lana” (inspired by Lana Del Rey) with “Rhoades” (a family surname).
Her career in adult films was remarkably short but incredibly impactful. She worked for approximately eight months total across two stints in 2016 and 2017. Despite this brief period, she became one of the most recognized performers in the industry.
By 2019, two years after leaving, she was the most-searched actress on Pornhub with 345 million views. She was voted Pornhub’s Most Popular Female Performer that year.
During her active months, she appeared in films for major studios and publications, including Hustler, Penthouse, and Playboy. Her striking looks and on-screen presence quickly made her a top performer.
However, the financial reality didn’t match the fame. She reportedly earned as little as $1,200 per scene during her career. This stands in stark contrast to what she makes now as an influencer and entrepreneur.
Why She Left the Industry
Rhoades has been vocal about her regrets regarding her time in adult films. She’s spoken extensively on her podcast and in interviews about why she left.
She cites three to five scenes as particularly traumatic. These involved situations where she felt pressured into extreme acts or was paired with performers much older than her. She has described feeling taken advantage of and exploited.
One incident she detailed publicly involved being asked to drink a mixture that made her physically ill. She felt unable to say no during filming. This experience, among others, contributed to her decision to leave.
In a 2021 podcast appearance, she stated that if she could delete all her videos from the internet, she would. She clarified that her regret isn’t about the nudity itself but about the stigma that follows former performers.
She’s discussed facing discrimination in housing (neighbors saying she couldn’t live near children) and in relationships (partners holding her past over her). According to Wikipedia, she announced on social media that the stigma has impacted nearly every aspect of her life post-retirement.
Her advocacy now focuses on warning young women about entering the industry. She consistently advises against it, saying she doesn’t believe it’s a good decision for mental health or emotional well-being.
Building a Social Media Empire
After leaving adult films in late 2017, Rhoades focused on social media. This proved to be her most successful career move.
Her Instagram account currently has over 14 million followers. Her strategy centers on authenticity rather than polished content. She shares candid moments, discusses mental health openly, and doesn’t avoid her past.
In 2019, she launched an OnlyFans account that reportedly earned over $1 million monthly at its peak. This far exceeded her adult film earnings. She once shared that an influencer made $15,000 for a single Instagram sponsored post while she earned $1,200 per film scene.
Influencers with their follower count typically charge $10,000 to $50,000 per sponsored post. Her ability to monetize through brand partnerships and exclusive content has been remarkably successful.
The Podcast Years
In 2020, Rhoades co-hosted the podcast “3 Girls 1 Kitchen” with Alexa Adams and Olivia Davis. The show covered dating, relationships, sex, culture and featured celebrity interviews.
The podcast quickly gained traction. Episodes covered topics from attachment styles to mental health to industry experiences. Rhoades used the platform to discuss her traumatic experiences in adult entertainment in detail.
One notable episode titled “Dark Side of Porn” featured Rhoades opening up about experiences she’d never discussed publicly before. This raw honesty became a hallmark of the show.
The podcast also featured celebrity guests and viral moments. Episodes discussing Logan Paul’s fights, relationships, and pop culture events drew significant audiences.
However, the podcast ended its run in 2022. The final episode addressed how social media and influencing can negatively impact mental health. Since then, there have been occasional returns but no consistent schedule.
In November 2024, the podcast returned for a single episode that sparked major controversy. The hosts made comments about rapper Megan Thee Stallion and her boyfriend (co-host Olivia Davis’ ex) that many perceived as disrespectful. This led to significant backlash online.
Current Business Ventures
Rhoades has diversified her income through multiple entrepreneurial projects.
In November 2024, she became co-owner and Chief Creative Director at Hidden, a platform billing itself as the “anti-OnlyFans.” Created by content creator Stella Barey, Hidden is the first adult platform operated and owned by sex workers.
The platform aims to offer better working conditions, transparency, and profit-sharing for creators. As of late 2024, Hidden had 115,000 users and over 2,200 creators. Rhoades stated plans to expand the platform to include feature films, educational content, live events, and a clothing line.
She’s also launched various fashion and lifestyle ventures. These include merchandise lines featuring clothing and accessories. Her bio on Instagram lists her as Chief Creative Director at h1dd3n, indicating her primary business focus.
Additionally, she’s made investments in real estate, though specific details remain private. Industry analysts estimate these investments provide steady income and long-term value appreciation.
Her business strategy focuses on creating sustainable income streams that are not reliant on her past. She’s built a brand centered on authenticity, transparency, and empowerment.
Net Worth and Income Sources
As of 2026, Lana Rhoades’ net worth is estimated between $3 million and $8 million.
Her income comes from multiple streams: social media endorsements and brand partnerships, the Hidden platform investment, OnlyFans and exclusive content, merchandise sales, and real estate investments.
Her earning power now far exceeds what she made in adult films. She’s publicly stated that she makes more money as an influencer than she ever did during her eight months in the industry.
Motherhood and Personal Life
In January 2022, Rhoades gave birth to a son named Milo. She announced the pregnancy on her podcast in 2021.
The identity of Milo’s father has been a subject of public speculation. While rumors circulated about NBA player Blake Griffin, Rhoades has never publicly confirmed the father’s identity. She’s chosen to keep this aspect of her personal life private.
She frequently shares glimpses of motherhood on social media. Her content often addresses the realities of postpartum struggles, parenting challenges, and balancing work with raising a child.
Her approach to parenting content is characteristically unfiltered. She doesn’t present a perfect Instagram mom persona. Instead, she shares honest moments about the difficulties and joys of being a mother.
She’s also been in several high-profile relationships. Most notably, she dated Mike Majlak, a podcast host and Logan Paul’s best friend. Their relationship garnered significant media attention before they split.
Rhoades has discussed how being a mother has changed her perspective on many aspects of her life. She’s stated that she would give up everything to protect her son from the stigma associated with her past.
What She Does Now in 2026
Today, Lana Rhoades focuses primarily on her role as Chief Creative Director at Hidden. This position allows her to shape the future of content creation for adult performers while advocating for better industry conditions.
She maintains her social media presence but posts less frequently than during her peak influencing years. Her content now centers more on business ventures, motherhood, and mental health advocacy rather than lifestyle content.
She’s become a vocal advocate for mental health awareness. She openly discusses her experiences with anxiety, PTSD, and the psychological impact of her early career. This advocacy work has earned her respect from unexpected sources, including feminist commentators and mental health professionals.
Her business focus has shifted toward angel investing in women-led startups. She’s using her platform and resources to support other female entrepreneurs.
She continues to warn young women about entering the adult industry. Her message is consistent: the money isn’t worth the long-term consequences, and there are better ways to achieve financial independence.
Looking forward, she’s expressed interest in expanding Hidden’s offerings, developing unscripted television content, and continuing to build sustainable businesses that empower creators.
Her story represents a unique case study in career reinvention. She’s successfully transitioned from a controversial past to become a respected entrepreneur and advocate. Whether you admire her journey or not, her impact on conversations about the adult industry, mental health, and career transitions is undeniable.
