Breaking Down Stereotypes: Who Really Works in This Industry

Posted by Maria Rodriguez | March 22, 2024

Before I started this reporting journey, I'll admit I had my own preconceptions about who works in the escort industry. Like most people, my ideas came from movies, TV shows, and sensationalized news stories. I imagined desperate people with tragic backgrounds, forced into the work by circumstances or exploitative third parties.

Two years and 150+ interviews later, I can say with certainty that almost everything I thought I knew was wrong. The diversity of people working in New York's escort industry has been one of the biggest surprises of my reporting career.

The MBA Student

Let me start with Rachel, because her story shattered my assumptions from day one. I met Rachel at a Starbucks near Columbia University, where she's pursuing her MBA while working part-time as an escort. She's 28, originally from Ohio, and speaks with the kind of polished confidence you'd expect from someone presenting quarterly reports to executives.

"I started this work because I needed flexible income that could work around my class schedule," Rachel explained, sipping her oat milk latte. "I make more in one evening than I would working retail for a week, and I can choose my own hours."

Rachel specializes in accompanying clients to business functions and cultural events. Her typical evening might involve attending a gallery opening or corporate dinner with a recently divorced executive who needs a sophisticated plus-one.

"My clients aren't looking for therapy or romance," she said. "They need someone who can hold an intelligent conversation about current events, look appropriate in formal settings, and understand business etiquette. It's like being a professional social partner."

Rachel plans to work in corporate consulting after graduation and sees her escort experience as valuable preparation. "I've learned more about reading people, managing difficult personalities, and maintaining professional boundaries than any business school course could teach."

The Former Teacher

Then there's David, a 34-year-old former high school English teacher who transitioned to male escort work after losing his teaching job during budget cuts in 2022. When we met at a coffee shop in Brooklyn, he was grading papers—not for students, but for his current work helping adult clients improve their writing skills.

"About 60% of my business is actually tutoring and educational services," David explained. "I have clients who want help with college applications, business writing, or just improving their general communication skills. The escort work grew out of that."

David's escort clients are primarily women—some divorced, some widowed, some simply too busy with careers to maintain traditional relationships. "There's a real market for male companionship that doesn't involve the emotional complications of dating," he said.

The transition wasn't easy. "I went from being respected as an educator to doing work that many people consider shameful. But I'm helping people in both roles, and I'm making better money with more flexibility."

The Tech Professional

One of my most surprising interviews was with Lisa, a 29-year-old software engineer who works full-time at a Manhattan tech startup and escorts on weekends. She has a computer science degree from MIT and specializes in data analysis—skills that turned out to be surprisingly relevant to her side business.

"I approach escort work the same way I approach programming," Lisa told me during our video call (she was working remotely from her Brooklyn apartment). "It's about understanding requirements, managing expectations, and delivering a quality experience."

Lisa uses spreadsheets to track client preferences, scheduling software to manage appointments, and even built her own website with security features that protect both her privacy and her clients'. Her tech background helps her navigate the digital safety challenges that many sex workers face.

"My day job pays well, but I enjoy the escort work for different reasons," she explained. "It's creative, interpersonal, and completely different from coding. Plus, the extra income lets me pay off student loans faster."

The Artist

Marcus, the 26-year-old dancer and choreographer I interviewed last month, represents another common demographic I wasn't expecting: artists using escort work to support their creative pursuits.

"New York is expensive, and arts funding is terrible," Marcus said when we met at his dance studio in Queens. "I can work three nights a week as an escort and support myself while pursuing my real passion during the day."

Marcus primarily Outcall escorts for women and couples, often serving as a companion for social events or cultural outings. "A lot of my clients are art-world people themselves—gallery owners, collectors, arts administrators. They understand the struggle of trying to make it creatively in this city."

He's not alone. I've interviewed actors, musicians, painters, and writers who use escort work as flexible income while building their artistic careers. The work allows them to maintain the irregular schedules that creative pursuits often require.

The Retiree

Perhaps the most unexpected interview was with Patricia, a 58-year-old former corporate lawyer who started escort work after early retirement. Patricia had a successful 25-year legal career but found retirement boring and financially tighter than expected.

"I missed the intellectual stimulation of my career," Patricia told me over lunch in Midtown. "This work gives me social interaction with interesting people, and the financial boost helps maintain my lifestyle."

Patricia's clients are typically older men seeking sophisticated companionship for cultural events, travel, or simply dinner conversation. "I'm not competing with 25-year-olds," she said with a laugh. "My market is men who want someone age-appropriate who can discuss literature, politics, and world events."

The Patterns I've Noticed

After all these interviews, several patterns have emerged that contradict common stereotypes:

Education levels are high. More than 70% of the NY Asian escorts I've interviewed have college degrees. Many have advanced degrees in fields like business, law, education, and the arts.

Most are working by choice. While economic pressures certainly play a role, very few of the people I've met feel trapped or coerced into the work. Most made deliberate decisions based on financial goals, schedule flexibility, or personal preferences.

Ages vary widely. The industry isn't dominated by young people. I've interviewed escorts ranging from 21 to 62, with the average age being around 32.

Many have other careers. Escort work is a primary income source for some, but for many others it's supplemental income that supports other goals or careers.

Geographic diversity matters. People working in Manhattan often have different backgrounds and motivations than those in outer boroughs or suburban areas.

What This Means

These diverse stories have taught me that there's no "typical" escort. The industry includes people from all backgrounds, education levels, and life circumstances. Some are supporting families, others are funding education, and still others are building creative careers.

The one thing almost everyone shares is the frustration of being stereotyped and stigmatized for work that, in their experience, is far more complex and varied than public perception suggests.