ISLAMABAD: Zara Dar, a former PhD student from the United States, has sparked debate on the internet over her transition to the OnlyFans model for better financial independence.
Dar, also a YouTuber and prominent advocate for women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), made headlines on social media when a video of her explaining what fuelled her decision to pursue her career as a full-time adult content creator, ditching the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
In a candid video shared on YouTube titled “PhD Dropout to OnlyFans Model”, she described her choice as a “calculated gamble” that offered a life unbound by traditional constraints. While acknowledging the risks, she expressed excitement about the potential for financial independence and creative freedom that comes with content creation.
“It was a tough decision to leave something I’ve worked so hard for, but ultimately, this path allows me to be more creative and in control of my future,” the PhD aspirant-turned-OnlyFans model said.
She said that her venture into OnlyFans, which grew into a lucrative business later, began as a side project during her PhD program. “In a short time, I earned over $1 million which enabled me to pay off my family’s mortgage, buy a car, and invest in my future,” Zara said.
“Thankfully, I avoided taking out any student loans,” she shared, highlighting the tangible benefits of her career shift.
Taking on X, she reaffirmed her choice to continue teaching STEM-related content on her YouTube channel. “Pursuing OnlyFans full-time has given me the freedom to learn and share new content,” she wrote.
While clarifying his identity, Zara Dar confirmed that he is not Pakistani after some internet users’ claims. “I believe some people are confusing me with a beautiful influencer named Zara Dar [a Pakistan-based influencer]. I am American, born and raised, with a mixed background: American, Persian, Southern European, Middle Eastern, and Indian,” she wrote on the social media site X.
Dar’s bold decision has sparked widespread debate on career choices and societal expectations.
