Hayley Rowson isn’t easy to categorise. Originally from North Wales, she first caught the attention of the British public in 2022 with a project that had little to do with the adult industry: converting a vintage London double-decker bus into a fully self-sufficient mobile home — an undertaking that earned her the nickname “That Bus Girl” and a handful of newspaper front pages. But that story already says something specific about her: the ability to build something real, document it without filters, and turn it into a genuine following.
Under the stage name Hayley Quinn, that same determination has made her one of the most prominent British adult creators on the international scene, with the Rising Creator award at the XMA Awards 2026 as her most recent recognition. Now the next step is Berlin: Hayley is among the nominees at the SXMA Awards 2026 in the Best Influencer or Ambassador Campaign category — the awards dedicated to excellence in marketing and communication within the industry that will officially open the SX Festival & Expo on 26 June at Heeresbäckerei Berlin. Three days, organised by SX Tech EU, where culture, technology and business will share the same space, with a dedicated business area for industry professionals, talks, workshops and live performances. For an industry used to looking across the Atlantic for events of this scale, Berlin represents something genuinely new.
PRN is also among the nominees, in the Best Media Outlet category, and the Berlin appointment became the natural thread running through this conversation with Hayley Quinn. A dialogue that, as often happens when speaking with someone who genuinely works in this industry, ended up going well beyond the award itself: the isolation that defines the life of a creator, social media censorship, the relationship with an artificial intelligence that transforms the body into something you no longer recognise in the mirror — and the reason why a “nerdy little goth girl” can make a real difference in someone’s day.
The SX Festival is just around the corner. What are your main expectations for the event?
Networking with other creators is at the top of my list. I can’t wait to meet people I wouldn’t normally cross paths with in everyday life — to hear their stories, understand how they got started, see what they’re building. It’s a great opportunity to learn and try new things. Everything else is a bonus: if there’s a good night out too, all the better — but networking comes first.
The way this event is described makes it feel truly unique, especially for the European industry, where we haven’t seen anything quite like it in years. How important is it to have a dedicated space to explore new technologies and discuss the state of the industry?
It’s incredibly important. As you said, in Europe we don’t have many opportunities like this — almost everything happens in America. We’re a smaller market compared to the US, and the more people hear about events like this, the more will show up. You’ll find newcomers alongside industry veterans in the same room, and there aren’t many other situations where those two worlds actually meet. It’s a valuable chance to learn about new platforms and technologies — things I might never have known about otherwise. I come home from events like this with so much more energy and excitement. This can be a lonely environment: most girls like me work alone, from their own bedroom. Unless you’re in a relationship with someone in the industry or live near a colleague, the isolation is real. Being around people who understand what you do gives you a fresh lease on life — and it’s genuinely good for your mental health.
I agree. Europe isn’t always the most welcoming environment for the adult industry right now. Whether it’s England or Italy, we keep seeing new laws and restrictions that make it harder and harder to express ourselves on social media. In that context, do you see this event as “a light in the dark”?
Absolutely. It brings people together, and there’s something paradoxical about all of this: the sex industry has existed forever, yet the platforms we use seem determined to distance themselves from it in every way. We’re not doing anything wrong — we’re simply trying to promote ourselves. Most people have the adult content filters turned on, so only adults see what we post. And yet they make our lives so difficult. Every time you lose an account or get banned, it’s a real blow: you have to start from scratch, every single time. It’s a tough place to be, especially when you’re on your own. Having someone who supports you — or even just a group where you can share the frustration — makes an enormous difference.
As journalists covering this industry, we feel like politics and mainstream media want to make adult stars and platforms as invisible as possible. That’s what makes an event like this so valuable — we can finally speak freely. And on that note — you’ve been nominated for an award. Congratulations! What does this nomination mean to you?
Thank you! I recently won at the XMA Awards in the Rising Creator category — a recognition tied specifically to the adult industry. This nomination is different: it’s about my role as a positive influencer and ambassador. I like it because it takes you outside the bubble that’s strictly linked to the “sex world”. 85% of my work is social media and marketing — being recognised for that side of things is a real thrill. Yesterday I was literally hounding everyone: “Vote for me!”
Looking at your category, you’re described as a “Positive Content Creator”. Why “positive”? How do you interpret that label?
I think it comes down to the fact that on social media I’m simply myself. People sense it and appreciate it. Most of the time I’m in a good mood and happy, but if I’m going through a hard time, I share that too. I’m not a fake person. If I’m going through a breakup, my followers will know about it. People appreciate seeing the whole story, with its highs and lows — not just a polished, artificially curated lifestyle feed.
Since the winners are chosen by the public, you have 30 seconds: why should our readers vote for you?
Winning an award as a “positive influencer” would mean the world to me. It would push me to create even more content and bring a little more happiness into other people’s lives. This world can be lonely for everyone, not just those who work in the adult industry. If I can bring a little positive energy to your Instagram or TikTok feed, that makes me happy. I love hearing that I’ve made someone’s day better, even just by being a “nerdy little goth girl”.
Going back to the evolution of the industry — what do you see as the biggest challenges ahead, particularly when it comes to technologies like artificial intelligence?
AI filters and software that can “invent” creators are real challenges. I’m also worried about a kind of drift towards body dysmorphia: everyone is using artificial intelligence tools to edit their photos to the point where nothing is authentic anymore. Everyone wants the perfect image or video. I got into this industry to offer a more amateur-style experience, and I feel like we’re sliding down a tunnel where everything has to be flawless. I worry that people will look at AI-generated images of themselves and then no longer recognise the person in the mirror.
That said, I don’t think artificial intelligence will ever take over completely. People still want a real, live experience. A significant part of my income comes from video calls, because audiences appreciate the “old-fashioned approach”: talking and seeing that I’m a real person in flesh and blood. I don’t worry too much — we’ll adapt, as we always have.
I agree: human connection is irreplaceable. AI is inevitable, but if we learn to use it as a tool to improve our work rather than fight it, the industry as a whole will benefit. Hayley, thank you so much for your time.
Thank you! See you in Berlin!
The SXMA Awards ceremony will officially open the SX Festival & Expo on 26 June at Heeresbäckerei Berlin. Hayley will be in the running that evening — and so will PRN, in the Best Media Outlet category. For full details on the nominations, visit our dedicated article.
