How Nadia Payne Went From Stripper To Chef

The Rumpus is back with another installment of their Recession Sex Workers series, and this time we get to hear about the struggles and successes of Nadia Payne: a gorgeous, muscular woman with quite a few stories to tell.

After being abused at home and backstabbed by fellow strippers, Nadia has become a successful chef and is currently working on her memoirs. She wants to help children in some fashion—cooking Sunday dinner for kids in her restaurant, encouraging them to speak out about abuse, giving them a safe space to call their own—but she hasn't completely turned her back on the sex industry. Payne doesn't condemn the industry, but she warns people about its pitfalls and hypocrisy:

"Prostitution should be legalized. I would like to see women to get unionized, and be shown more respect. For us to have more respect for ourselves. At the time, I wanted to stay grounded as a dancer because it was working for me. The business has changed... I would tell [prospective dancers] this is not for the faint of heart, that understand that every dance you are giving a piece of your soul and how much of your soul is for sale? Or what price do put on your soul?"

· Read: RECESSION SEX WORKERS #14: Phoenix Rising, An Interview with Nadia Payne (therumpus.net)
· Photos by Michael Siu (michaelsiuphoto.com)