In her first year in the Showgirl category, Dyna Divine dances away with the coveted Showgirl title while newcomer Ginger WTFA makes her presence known as the Starlet’s newly crowned princess.
The 11th Annual Exotic Dancer Invitationals (EDI East) touched down in the land of the Delta blues on April 9 to 11 to deliver three nights of spectacular showgirl action that only the EDIs can provide. Once the titles were awarded and all of the confetti had been cleared, the good people of Memphis went away, singing an entirely different tune regarding what real feature entertainment is all about. Jerry Westlund’s Pony Club hosted the EDI East for the fourth straight year, showcasing the Starlet Division (April 9), the Showgirl Division (April 10) and the EDI East Finals (April 11). And just like the 2024 tour, the 2025 EDI contests are once again sponsored by adult film superstar and newly minted Pony Club Brand Ambassador Lauren Phillips, who was on-site co-hosting the event with MC Danny Myers.
(L-R): Dyna, Hayla and Phoenix
In the end, Dyna Divine’s deftly choreographed ‘Toxic’ performance infected the judges’ difficult decisions, permeating the audience with rapturous applause and taking both the Showgirl Division title and the ‘Best Overall Show’ award. Hayla Faye returned to the EDI stage and brought her dynamically-charged ‘Grim Reaper’ performance utilizing every inch of the Pony’s protracted runway stage to take 1st Runner-Up and ‘Most Extreme Show,’ while last year’s Showgirl winner, Phoenix Phires, took 2nd Runner-Up with her playful and amorous ‘Mad Hatter’ routine, complete with her own Alice, played by Nova Baby. Phoenix also took the sash as EDI’s “Best Dancer.”
(L-R): Pony Club GM Monique, owner Jerry Westlund, Platinum 84 owner and EDI West host Scott Richter, EDI sponsor Lauren Phillips and Platinum 84 GM Dave Peacock
Rounding out the Showgirl division was Raychel Revolver’s multi-detailed and highly original Creepshow routine that awarded her the “Most Original Show.” Former EDI Showgirl Division winner, Justice (and the only feature entertainer to compete at all 11 years of the EDI), took home the award for “Most Ambitious Show” with her playful and crowd-pleasing Astronaut performance. Chelsea La Vone returned to the EDIs to perform her famed ‘Cowgirl’ routine, roping EDI’s ‘Best Costume’ title and the naughty duo, The Living Sex Dolls, unveiled their ‘Cruella’ show that incorporated everything from soft bondage elements to a two-woman Lyra ten feet above the stage. 
“Winning the Showgirl Division at the EDI East this past weekend still doesn’t feel real,” says Divine. “This was my second time at the EDIs, having received 1st Runner-Up in the Starlet Division last year, but now competing in Showgirl land at The Pony in Memphis — the very first club I danced at and the one that introduced me to the world of feature entertainment — felt like a full-circle moment I’ll never forget. I’m so grateful for this journey and for everyone who has been part of it.”
In the Starlet Division, seven entertainers brought their talents to the Mid-South. In her first EDI experience, Ginger WTFA (that’s ‘With The Fat Ass’ if you’re nasty) presented her Barbie routine that set the crowd aflame on both Wednesday and Friday night. Ginger not only captured the Starlet crown but the award, deservedly, for ‘Audience Favorite.’ In another ‘Wow’ moment, newcomer Spencer left the judges’ jaws unhinged as her talent as an aerialist went on full display with her Alolan Ninetails (from Pokémon) performance that awarded her the Starlet Division 1st Runner-Up title. Finally, Nova Baby kicked off everyone’s Saturday morning nostalgia with her Scooby-Doo routine complete with the Mystery Machine, a haunted scuba diver (played by Michelle Lynn) and Velma’s lovely sidekick, Daphne (an all-too-lifelike model in the form of Phoenix Phires). 
“This is such an incredible honor,” Ginger says after her win. “I am so thankful! I can’t believe this is my life.”
“I’ve enjoyed each of our EDI contests since the first ones in 2014, but it’s always great to see a highly competitive finals round,” says EDI Founder and Publisher of EXOTIC DANCER, Dave Manack. “Dyna Divine, Hayla Faye and Phoenix Phires all put on finals-caliber shows, but of course, only one can win. Congratulations to Dyna and to our Starlet Division winner, Ginger WTFA. We look forward to seeing Dyna and Hayla compete at the EDI Finals in Vegas!”
The following titles and mini-titles were awarded at the 2025 EDI East:
Showgirl Division Winner: Dyna Divine*
Showgirl Division First Runner-Up: Hayla Faye*
Showgirl Division Second Runner-Up: Phoenix Phires
Starlet Division Winner: Ginger WTFA**
Starlet Division First Runner-Up: Spencer
Starlet Division Second Runner-Up: Nova Baby
* Will compete at the EDI Finals on August 24 during EXPO in Las Vegas
** Will perform a guest show at the EDI Finals in Las Vegas
Mini-Titles:
Most Extreme Show: Hayla Faye
Most Ambitious Show: Justice
Most Original Show: Raychel Revolver
Audience Favorite: Ginger WTFA
Hottest Body: Jordan Dove
Best Costume: Chelsea LaVone
Best Dancer: Phoenix Phires
Best Overall Show: Dyna Divine
The mini-title winners! L-R: Manack, Ginger, Phoenix, Jordan, Chelsea, Danny Meyers, Kris Kay, Hayla, Justice, Raychel, Dyna, Roxi D’Lite
ED Publications would like to send huge “thank yous” out to EDI East host Jerry Westlund, Stephanie Wilbanks, GM Monique and everyone at the Pony Club Memphis; Sponsor Lauren Phillips; EDI Producer Roxi D’Lite; show coordinator Kristofer Kay; EDI graphics producer Kevin Pennington; show emcee Danny Meyers; stage manager Rob Aiken (assisted by Heath Sigmon); and all of the EDI East judges. We’ll see everyone June 4-6 at Platinum 84 in Denver for the Exotic Dancer Invitationals West!
