The “American Pie” actress joined the subscription-based platform in April as a way to have more control over connecting with fans.

Shannon Elizabeth’s ex-husband encouraged her to join OnlyFans

The "American Pie" actress joined the subscription-based platform in April as a way to have more control over connecting with fans.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

EW's editorial guidelines

May 18, 2026 12:01 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Shannon Elizabeth at premiere of 'Jay & Silent Bob Reboot' in 2019. Credit:

Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

- Shannon Elizabeth's inspiration for joining OnlyFans came from her first husband, actor Joseph Reitman.

- "The more I do the content, the more comfortable I get with myself and with chatting with the fans and just putting, like, my life out there," she said.

- The *American Pie *actress joined the subscription-based platform in April.

Shannon Elizabeth got encouragement to join OnlyFans from an unexpected source.

The *American Pie** *actress revealed in an interview on the *Pod Meets World* podcast on Monday that her ex-husband, Joseph Reitman, encouraged her to join the platform. She told hosts Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, and Will Friedle that she joined OnlyFans amid her divorce from second husband, Simon Borchert, who she married in 2021. Elizabeth and Reitman were married from 2002 to 2005.

At the time, Elizabeth was going through her second divorce and was making a movie in Canada while balancing charity work in South Africa. She and her first husband, who she described as her "best friend," as well as her manager and acting coach, were talking about what's next for her.

"I'm going through this divorce and am I going to stay in South Africa? Yes, because I'm working on the charity, I'm working on the sanctuary and, you know, so, but it's, it's hard because a lot of the acting is in the U.S. and I'm not there," Elizabeth said, adding that it's been hard to "support myself" when focused on her charity work.**

Shannon Elizabeth and Joseph Reitman in West Hollywood in 2021.

Tiffany Rose/Getty

The actress realized how much she enjoyed connecting with her fans at conventions.

"I'm told the best stories by people that the movies that I've done meant something to them. And I've never gotten to see my career from a different lens, if that makes sense. So now I feel like I'm seeing some of my work, but from their viewpoint, which I never thought about before," she said.

Elizabeth mentioned that when making *American Pie*, they had tried to launch a website where fans could connect with the actors, but it was "a really new thing" at the time and only "adult entertainers had websites."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter*****.**

While brainstorming ideas, Reitman told Elizabeth he was doing a documentary on OnlyFans, and suggested she create a page there for connecting with fans.

Shannon Elizabeth finalizes divorce amid OnlyFans success

Shannon Elizabeth reveals surprising first purchase she will make with OnlyFans earnings

Elizabeth reached out to *Love Actually** *costar Denise Richards, who has a page on OnlyFans, to ask her a few questions about the platform.

"The next thing I know it was like, well, yeah, let's do this, let's try it, let's have some fun," she said.

When asked about what subscribers can expect, Elizabeth said that she's still "exploring" boundaries after being on the platform for less than a month.

"I'm constantly doing content and the more I do the content, the more comfortable I get with myself and with chatting with the fans and just putting, like, my life out there," Elizabeth said.

"Doing content is very different and very new for me because I never really did it even on Instagram and Facebook," she added. Among the content Elizabeth has created includes "putting on a face mask and going to bed," as well as her thoughts and "behind the scenes" happenings with her life.

Shannon Elizabeth at the 33rd Annual Environmental Media Association Awards in 2024.

Christopher Polk/Getty

Elizabeth announced she was joining OnlyFans in April as a way to better connect with her fanbase and have more control.

"I've spent my entire career working in Hollywood, where other people controlled the narrative and the outcome of my career," Elizabeth told PEOPLE at the time. "This new chapter is about changing that, showing off a more sexy side no one has seen, and being closer to my fans."

“I'm choosing OnlyFans because it allows me to connect directly with my audience, create on my own terms, and just be free. I really do think this is the future."**

- Celebrities & Creators

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Celebrities”