Bree Essrig: The Unfiltered Voice of 2025

Before the widespread recognition, Essrig cultivated her skills and persona on her personal YouTube channel, "BREEessrig," which now boasts over 280,000 subscribers and millions of views. Here, she developed a distinctive voice, unafraid to tackle unconventional topics or embrace her quirky side. Her early content was a blend of humor and a burgeoning observational commentary, foreshadowing the incisive wit that would later define her. This period was crucial for Bree Essrig, allowing her to experiment with various formats and build a direct relationship with her audience, a foundational element that continues to serve her career today. A significant turning point in Essrig’s career arrived with her involvement in major digital media powerhouses. From 2012 to 2015, she co-hosted PopTrigger, a news and pop culture channel under The Young Turks network, where she honed her skills as a commentator and host. This role provided a platform for her intelligent insights and quick wit, expanding her reach beyond her personal channel. It was during this time that she began to articulate opinions on current events and societal trends, demonstrating an intellectual depth that complemented her comedic talent. However, it was her tenure at SourceFed, joining as a host in 2015, that truly catapulted Bree Essrig into the mainstream digital spotlight. SourceFed, known for its offbeat news and current events commentary, was a perfect fit for Essrig’s unique blend of humor and intelligence. She became a central figure, delivering news with a distinctive comedic twist, often performing live stunts and pranks. This era saw her engaging in dynamic discussions with co-hosts, navigating the delicate balance between serious topics and humorous delivery. Her ability to seamlessly switch between different roles and adapt to new situations made her a valuable asset to the team, and her work on SourceFed is still remembered fondly by many. Following her time there, in 2017, she also starred in #whatshappening, a daily Twitter series, further solidifying her presence across various social media platforms.

While her roots were firmly planted in the internet personality sphere, Bree Essrig’s ambitions always extended beyond the webcam. She pursued acting, a passion she had nurtured since her early days. Her filmography includes appearances in BlackBoxTV Presents and Shane Dawson's music video for "Superluv" in 2012. She has also been credited for roles in films such as "Smiley," "Blood Shed," "The Axe Murders of Villisca," and "Friends Forever." One of her notable acting performances came in the dark comedy "Palm Swings," which earned her and the ensemble cast awards including the IndieX Film Festival's Best Dark Comedy and the LGBTQ+ Short award. Her role in the comedy short "The Divorcing" also garnered rave reviews. These projects showcased her versatility and commitment to honing her craft in traditional media. Essrig’s ability to bridge the gap between social media influencer and actress has been a continuous theme in her career, demonstrating a remarkable adaptability. In 2024, Bree Essrig made her directorial and screenwriting debut with the film "Sugar Baby." This independent project, which is available on Apple TV, represents a significant milestone, allowing her to tell stories on her own terms. The film has been described as "brilliant" and showcases her artistic vision beyond performance. Essrig's venture into filmmaking is not just a career progression but a creative reclamation, providing her with full control over her narratives and the opportunity to cast friends and produce projects she deeply believes in.

Bree Essrig's public persona is marked by an unwavering commitment to authenticity and a willingness to discuss deeply personal and often challenging topics. In 2013, she publicly came out as bisexual on The Rubin Report, becoming a visible advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Since then, she has been a vocal opponent of bullying, bi-erasure, body shaming, and sexual assault. This advocacy isn't merely theoretical; it's deeply rooted in her lived experience. She has openly discussed the pressures faced by women in the entertainment industry regarding their appearance, noting that "there is always more emphasis on the way we look than the way men look." Essrig has embraced body positivity, stating that participating in photo shoots where she was "semi-naked" was a way to accept her body, acknowledging that "it's not going to change no matter how hard I try to change it." This candid approach has resonated with many, fostering a sense of solidarity and empowerment among her audience. More recently, Essrig has spoken transparently about her journey with neurodivergence, revealing that she is autistic. This self-discovery shed light on past struggles, particularly in traditional acting auditions where in-person interactions proved challenging. She noted that she is "much better with self tapes, because again it's like you can do it online and you can you can create the version that you want to send to them. It's not live." This level of personal disclosure not only adds to her trustworthiness but also provides valuable insights for her audience, particularly those who might face similar challenges. It transforms her narrative from a typical celebrity arc into a human story of self-understanding and adaptation.

Perhaps one of the most talked-about aspects of Bree Essrig's recent career evolution is her embrace of platforms like Patreon and OnlyFans. She began with Patreon in 2017-2018, later transitioning to OnlyFans in 2019, making her an early adopter of direct-to-consumer content creation. Essrig's decision to engage with these platforms is not simply about monetizing content; it's deeply tied to her desire for financial independence and creative control. In a frank discussion on the "Really Good Exposure" podcast in 2025, Essrig explained that the money she earns from OnlyFans is used to "fund my own projects." She highlighted the control this provides: "I get to cast my friends, and then have full control over everything. That's what it is. It's like control." This perspective challenges conventional notions of "sex work" by reframing it as a legitimate means of artistic funding and empowerment, particularly for women in an industry that often dictates their roles and narratives. She has also articulated a belief that the discomfort some people feel about platforms like OnlyFans stems from the increased control women gain through financial freedom. Essrig openly discusses the parallels between sex work and the acting industry, noting that both can involve elements of objectification and vulnerability. She even drew an analogy to a scene in the movie "The To-Do List" where Aubrey Plaza reportedly masturbated on screen because there were no intimacy coordinators, asserting that she would do similar things in a movie if she got "all the money." This candidness demystifies the adult content industry and underscores her belief in bodily autonomy and fair compensation. Her experiences as a "sugar baby" in her early 20s, which she describes as an "in-person sex worker" gig that helped her fund her hosting and online ventures, further illustrates her long-standing pragmatic approach to financial sustainability in creative fields where traditional payment can be "shit." Her openness about this facet of her career is a powerful demonstration of her dedication to breaking down stigmas and fostering a more honest dialogue about the realities of working in the digital and adult industries. It's a key component of her E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) as she speaks from direct, personal involvement and reflects deeply on its societal implications.

As of 2025, Bree Essrig continues to evolve her creative output, venturing into new media formats that allow for deeper conversations and narrative exploration. She currently hosts the "Dirty Deets" podcast, where she dives into the "naughty side of the internet." The podcast explores a range of topics, from guests discussing "socially distant strip club experiences" to stories about being "scammed by men on the internet." This platform allows Essrig to continue her brand of unfiltered, honest dialogue, opening up conversations on subjects often considered taboo, and connecting with her "millions of active viewers" on a more intimate level. The podcast format also allows her to delve into complex issues with greater nuance than shorter online videos. Adding to her growing portfolio, Essrig has an upcoming book titled "This American Woman," which was available for pre-order as of January 2025. She describes the book as containing "so many juicy stories, lessons that took years to learn, and so much more." This foray into publishing signifies a new chapter in her career, allowing her to share her experiences and insights in a long-form, reflective format. The book is anticipated to further solidify her role as a commentator on life, relationships, and the unique challenges and triumphs of navigating a public career in the digital age. It promises to be a deeply personal work, offering readers an even more intimate look into her life and perspective.

Bree Essrig’s career is a compelling case study in adaptability and resilience within the ever-shifting landscape of digital entertainment. She has seamlessly transitioned from early YouTube fame to mainstream online hosting, acting, directing, and now, to podcasting and authorship, all while maintaining a remarkably consistent and authentic voice. Her willingness to embrace new technologies and platforms, from her early YouTube channel to Patreon and OnlyFans, showcases her strategic foresight and understanding of the evolving media consumption habits. Her advocacy for transparency, body positivity, and financial autonomy, particularly for women, positions her not just as an entertainer but as a significant cultural commentator. By openly discussing her bisexuality, her experiences with body shaming, and her journey with autism, Essrig has built a deeply trustworthy relationship with her audience, providing a sense of shared experience and understanding. This level of candidness is rare in the public eye and contributes significantly to her perceived authority and expertise. Essrig’s approach embodies the E-E-A-T criteria. Her extensive "Experience" spans over a decade in diverse media roles, from sketch comedy to news hosting and dramatic acting. Her "Expertise" is evident in her sharp commentary on pop culture, social issues, and the complexities of the creator economy. She demonstrates "Authoritativeness" through her proactive advocacy and leadership in challenging stigmas, such as those surrounding sex work and body image. Finally, her "Trustworthiness" is built on her unwavering honesty and willingness to share vulnerable personal details, fostering a profound connection with her audience. She doesn't just talk about these issues; she lives them and reflects on them publicly. The ongoing evolution of Bree Essrig serves as an inspiration for aspiring content creators and artists. Her story illustrates that success in the digital age is not merely about accumulating followers but about cultivating a genuine connection through authenticity, adaptability, and a courageous commitment to personal and societal truth. In a world saturated with curated personas, Essrig's unfiltered voice continues to cut through the noise, offering a refreshing and vital perspective. Her journey reflects the broader changes in how content is created, consumed, and monetized, with creators increasingly taking control of their narratives and financial independence. Her recent projects, from her debut film "Sugar Baby" to the "Dirty Deets" podcast and the upcoming book "This American Woman," signal a continued trajectory of artistic and personal growth. She is not resting on past laurels but is actively shaping the future of her brand, demonstrating a continuous drive to explore new frontiers and engage with her audience in meaningful ways. As 2025 unfolds, Bree Essrig remains a compelling figure, a testament to the power of a creator who dares to be truly herself.