Following the outing, Knox faced an overwhelming wave of online and in-person harassment. The backlash was brutal and included threats of violence, death threats, and calls for her to be expelled or raped. This abuse forced her to take a college-sanctioned break from Duke in early 2014 for her own safety.

The public's tendency to only support sex workers who appear "forced" into the industry, rather than those who choose it for financial gain.

Operating under the pseudonym , Weeks traveled to New York City for her inaugural shoot, earning $1,200 for her first scene. This performance marked her official introduction to the adult industry. Shortly thereafter, she adopted the moniker Belle Knox as her profile grew within the business. The Outing and the Media Storm

The dichotomy of her work generated intense debate across several cultural spheres:

: The backlash against older-era gonzo studios like Facial Abuse accelerated the demand for performer-owned, ethical, and feminist adult content platforms.