Stand up: SugarBaby

With the new craze of students joining ‘SugarDaddy’ websites, The Stand wanted to know what all the fuss was about – so we caught up with a real life ‘SugarBaby’ who goes to St Andrews and here’s what she had to say.

Why did you sign up to be a ‘SugarBaby’?

I was hungover in the library and the DailyMail had an article about a university student who had made £5000 a month and I thought, I want £5000 too and I thought it sounded like an easy way to make money.

What are you hoping to get out of it?

It’s a purely financial endeavour, I don’t want a relationship or sex.

Would you recommend it to others?

I don’t know because some of the offers I’ve had seem genuine but others seem like they are from creepy, rapey old men. But from what I’ve read some have formed quite successful arrangements, so I’m not ready to give up yet.

Does it feel like you’re going on a normal date, or are the implications (money) quite obvious?

Since I haven’t been on a date yet I don’t know, but from the emails I’ve received the men make it clear what they want and it’s obviously an ‘arrangement’. Some specify sex and others are looking for companionship.

What’s the best gift or offer you’ve been given?

I’ve been offered to be flown to Dubai in a private jet this weekend – but I don’t want to miss Pimms.

Tell us about your best and worst moments!

One email asked me if I enjoyed role-play and told me he wanted someone who would indulge in sexual fantasies. He wasn’t more explicit but obviously I never replied.

Have you had lots of messages asking for dates?

I’ve had about 10 emails and I’ve only had the account for a week, those emailing range from old men in Switzerland to younger men based in Fife.

Are you planning on meeting any of them?

Potentially with the Fife man as he basically said he’s had 2 successful arrangements before and he explicitly says he doesn’t want sex, only friendship.

Has this man said how much he is willing to pay you?

No but he said he is willing to fund my current lifestyle and help with student debt. I have come to learn that the men offering loads of money (upwards of £10000 per month) want you to do something more in return, like sex or weird fantasies.

Would you ever introduce your daddy to your sugar daddy?

My academic Daddy would LOL but my real Dad would have a heart attack if he knew what I was doing.

What would you do if you found out your sugar daddy was actually a lecturer?

Maybe we could come up with an ‘arrangement’ that would better my degree…

Are any of them married?

Yeah I think so – on their profiles it says their marital status, a lot say ‘married but still seeking arrangement’ or something like that.

Did you hesitate before you joined given the similarities to prostitution that this sort of thing has?

I kind of signed up as procrastination and didn’t really think it through and wanted to see what all the hype was about, but now there has been some genuine offers I am thinking more seriously about it and obviously need to decide whether or not its something I’m comfortable with – that’s why I haven’t been on a date yet, I’m still thinking it through.

Photo © Anna Gudnason