ENTERTAINMENTElle Fanning Reveals Surprising Reason She Joined OnlyFans
Actress Elle Fanning got candid and revealed why she created an OnlyFans account to step into character for her latest role in 'Margo's Got Money Troubles.'
March 13 2026, Published 3:01 p.m. ET
Elle Fanning revealed the surprising reason she joined the controversial subscription-based social media platform OnlyFans.
At the SXSW Film & TV Festival on Thursday, March 12, the 27-year-old explained to a news outlet that joining the app helped her prepare for her role in Margo's Got Money Troubles.
Why Did Elle Fanning Create an OnlyFans Account?
Elle Fanning said there 'were a lot of things' she did to prepare for the role.
Margo's Got Money Troubles is based on the 2024 bestselling book by Rufi Thorpe and follows Fanning's character Margo as she faces financial problems after welcoming a baby and dropping out of college. In order to make money, she turns to the adult website.
Fanning said there "were a lot of things" she did to step into her character's shoes.
“Obviously, I am an Instagram user and a TikTok user. I got to look at that,” the All the Bright Places actress told the outlet. “Also, we had to dive into OnlyFans a little bit. We did create an account for the writer's room, and for me, so I could check out how the website is.”
The Show's Writers Also Took a Deeper Look Into OnlyFans
The showrunner of the show explained there was 'a lot of looking at OnlyFans.'
The eight-episode Apple TV series features an A-list cast, including Nicole Kidman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Marcia Gay Harden and Nick Offerman.
The show's showrunner, Eva Anderson, offered more insight into why a deeper dive into OnlyFans was needed while speaking at a panel following the premiere's screening.
“There was a lot of looking at OnlyFans with the writers, but we all gave consent to each other before we did it,” the showrunner explained. “We were very responsible and we just tried to get as much information as we could before we started.”
- How Porn Reignited 'Boy Meets World' Star Maitland Ward's Acting Career — And Gave Her Bank Account A Six-Figure Boost
- Jenna Ortega Blasted for Saying She Was 'Unhappy' After 'Wednesday' Fame: 'So Sick of People Complaining'
- Elle Fanning Accidentally Interrupts Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet's Sweet Kiss at the 2026 Golden Globes: Watch
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
Elle Fanning Had a 'Wonderful Experience' on Set
Elle Fanning said she had a 'wonderful experience' while working on set.
The We Bought a Zoo actress previously opened up in December 2025 about the "most wonderful experience" she had working on the Apple TV series with her costars.
"I hope people really enjoy the show. It’s a family drama, but there’s also, again, it’s very heartwarming and Margo is such a hopeful character," the Georgia native told Deadline.
Elle Fanning Called Her Character 'Inspiring'
Elle Fanning said her character was very 'inspiring to play.'
Fanning also praised the original novel, calling it "brilliant and heartwarming."
"She’s dealt these hardships in life, but somehow she always is able to overcome them," the Super 8 star said of her character. "And I think she was really inspiring to play because of that and, and the world is just very specific and very fun.”
Margo’s Got Money Troubles premieres April 15 on Apple TV.
