And for every one of the top twenty most paid porn actresses worldwide, there are probably ~2 million[1] who aren't that. I'm not saying your friend isn't intelligent when I say that sex work does not require brilliance, nor am I saying that intelligent sex workers don't exist. I am saying that sex work itself doesn't have employers screening candidates for their level of intelligence. This should be a fairly uncontroversial remark IMO. It's not strictly about your friend, and I'll take your word for it that she's quite smart.
1: https://prostitution.procon.org/questions/how-many-prostitut...
agreed, that she "made it" doesn't imply much. my bad.
scientific circles are quite a bit the same, in term screening and funding.
and yes we shouldn't forget the other ones (why not developing a better, safer and fairer platform btw).
it is true that the intelligence argument was arbitrary (it is my assessment of her) and perhaps clumsy. but again, go have a look on your favorite social media how these people are considered.