A sacked meteorologist has spoken out about his mental and financial struggles after footage of him masturbating on camera in front of strangers was leaked online last year.
Erick Adame was fired from Spectrum NY1 in September 2022 after an adult webcam user explicitly took screenshots of him performing and leaked them.
His last live cam session took place on December 28, 2021 – when someone posted a link publicly naming Adame.
The Emmy-nominated meteorologist told his followers on Friday about his personal struggles since the leak.
He said the toll was too difficult to explain and said he would take a break from social media.
Emmy nominee Erick Adame was fired from Spectrum NY1 last year after an adult webcam user took screenshots of him performing explicit performances and leaked them
In a new post on his social media, Adame thanked those closest to him and detailed his mental and financial struggles
“In December 2021 I was filmed naked on a public adult webcam. “I’ve done this before but haven’t been caught this way yet,” he wrote in a post.
“Months later, someone sent these pictures to my mother, my boyfriend and my work.” I was laid off in September 2022 and was unable to find similar work either in front of or behind the camera.
“It’s hard to describe the toll this has taken on me mentally and financially.”
“I’m still making progress and doing my best to stay positive, but I need to take a break from social media.”
“The weather with Erick is here to stay for now.” I hope my time off will create space to focus on mental health and hopefully get back to work.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported us so much during this very difficult time.”
Adame also shared a direct message someone sent him on Instagram.
“I saw your video, I’m sorry about what happened to you but you are so hot,” the message read.
Adame asked the user, “Where did you see it so I can remove it,” to which the person replied, “Come on, you did it because you like it, don’t be a hypocrite.”
Sharing the brief exchange, Adame captioned the post: “For the last two years my life has consisted of conversations like these. ‘This is happening today.’
Adame was nominated for two Emmys over his nearly 15-year career, about five of which he spent as a meteorologist at NY1 before being fired
Alongside the post, Adame also shared an exchange with an Instagram user that he said happened every day
In response to X sharing the post, which has since been deleted, Adame was inundated with comments wishing him well.
One person said, “I’m sorry you’re going through this.” Do what’s best for you. This should never have affected your career for a variety of reasons.
“You had a great, pleasant and professional demeanor while doing the weather on NY1. The next employee will only benefit from having you on their team.”
Another posted: “Stay strong and stay positive. “Better days are certainly ahead.”
The weatherman previously spoke about how online sex acts made him “feel better” in his 20s.
He admitted that he even revealed on camera that he was an employee of NY1 – and it was revealed that he had given up to 700 users his full name and address.
Adame broke his silence and told the Death, Sex & Money podcast: “It makes me feel better.”
Adame revealed that his cam days started with Skype – where he video-called people he knew from college
Adame is seen on a beach before the scandal in a 2018 Instagram post
“For years, going back to my teenage years, I had low self-esteem and was ashamed of who I was because I was gay.”
“And bragging, getting so much praise and being called sexy, I want to see more – hearing that from someone on the other end made you feel so good.”
He said he thought about showing his face on camera while performing the sexual acts and finally came around to it.
Adame added: “It just wasn’t the same.” It wasn’t as much fun. I thought my face was pretty… When I seek praise, that’s one of my best qualities. Do you know how you have the devil on your shoulder and the angel on your shoulder?
He said his cam days started with Skype – where he made video calls with people he knew from college. But as he got older, he began performing in front of strangers and became “riskier” when he moved to New York in 2017.
Looking back at the leaked footage, he previously admitted: “They’re graphic. ‘Some of them are so humiliating now.’
Leaked audio recordings of a performance first obtained by The Desk revealed how he tricked his bosses into watching him.
“I think it would be hot if my boss saw me. “I would love it if my boss would fuck me on camera,” he said in one appearance.
He said he was desperate for sex and invited men to his home to sleep with him.
As he got older, he performed in front of strangers and became “riskier” when he moved to New York in 2017.
He complained on social media about how he had been exposed and later filed legal papers to force the site to tell him who filmed him
At another point in the performance, he asked the audience if they could imagine how their “weatherman” behaved.
In September, Adame wrote in a lengthy confessional: “Despite being a public figure for more than a decade and a half, appearing on television in the largest market in the country in front of millions of people five days a week, I performed in secret.” on an adult webcam website.
“On this website, I acted out my compulsive behaviors at home by performing on camera for other men,” he wrote.
“It was 100% consensual for both of us.” I wasn’t paid for it and it was absurd of me to think I could keep it a secret. However, my employer found out about it and I was suspended and then fired.”
Adame was nominated for two Emmys over his nearly 15-year career, about five of which he spent as a meteorologist at NY1 before being fired.