After taking the feature industry by storm in 2024, Lauren Phillips continues her ascension by operating as a one-woman brand while also adding to her responsibilities as The Pony Club’s first-ever crossover ambassador.
(This story appears in the May 2025 issue of ED Magazine.)
Lauren Phillips fixes her beautiful, long red mane as she prepares to go on stage at The Pony in Memphis, ready for the crowd to react to her like so many have done in the past. With the Pony Nation’s support, a full venue in her line of sight and beneath the iridescent lights, these are the nights she loves the most. A few years ago, Phillips expanded her portfolio from adult film star to now feature entertainer. Seemingly within months, the six-foot and then some Jersey Girl became a top headliner, drawing crowds, creating new fans wherever she went and expanding her notoriety. That brand is quite literally her, and her alone. No stage name and no filter, the woman has shaped herself as The Empire. Now the crossover star, after securing bags from lucrative deals in both adult film (a performance/directing contract under the powerhouse ‘AdultTime’ banner) and content creation, has secured a deal with Jerry Westlund’s Pony chain of adult nightclubs to become their first and —thus far only — brand ambassador.
It has been crazy– but not bad crazy,” Phillips says, always knowing to lace a little humility when talking about her success. “I have been told I am the most booked porn star in the feature community. It’s just an incredible milestone in my career that I don’t ever take for granted.”
That accolade (made by her agents, Frank Bane and Dave Michaels), however, did not come as easily as others may think. Phillips put in months of blood, sweat and sky miles to get her name out there, coming in early to her bookings, acclimating to the vibe of whichever club she was featuring at and leaving later than usual to make sure those who walked through the door left knowing that they just witnessed a show. While others may have dismissed her overtime as extra-curricular, Philips remained unfazed, understanding that hospitality and entertainment are intertwined.
At least in this portion of the industry. “I feel like I created my entire brand by listening to people,” says Phillips. “People want to be heard and I think that is what is different about me, I listen to people.”
After conquering the adult film industry (winning the 2024 “MILF” Performer of the Year) and the real estate industry (developing property in three states and counting), “The Ultimate Ginger” began dancing in 2022. Her journey into feature entertainment was not as seamless as she thought it would be, she explains, recounting her first booking experience.
Lauren Phillips has the highest book-back rate of any act we book. That’s mainly because she draws a crowd, but it’s also because she shows up with a smile and ready to work. Management loves her, the house entertainers love her and the customers love her. Somehow she manages to pay attention to all of them.
— Frank Bane, Continental Theatrical Agency
“I didn’t know pole work, but I know my dance, I am trained in modern dance, so floor work was my jam!” exclaims Phillips. “It was easy for me, but at that time I didn’t know how to hustle the club.”
She admits that her lack of knowledge of club etiquette hindered her at the start. Most house entertainers know how to work a room well enough to make money; however, at the time, it was a setback.
While a compelling performer in movies (if you want to see her comedic talents pop, find yourself a copy of her “Gilligan’s Island” parody — the perfect porn “Ginger”), Phillips mentions that she was initially uncomfortable doing private dances. It was only after speaking with other entertainers that she began feeling more open about it.
“I slowly started learning by seeing others perform, plus I knew what I wanted to represent,” she says. “My entire brand has always been making money as a team because I am a guest [at the club,] the house girls and club owners are letting me come in and perform.”
While other adult stars have broken big as feature entertainers in the past ( i.e., Janine and Julia Ann of Blondage, Jenna Jameson, Stormy Daniels, Jesse Jane, etc), the ability to do so in the advent of fan sites like OnlyFans has only diminished their marquee power. Yet, there was room for a popular performer to pick up the torch. Phillips made a concerted effort to incorporate particular themes to highlight the draw of the feminine divine in all of its natural glory.
“From the beginning, I wanted to show women empowerment as a major part of my brand,” she says. “Without women, we have nothing.”
Whether learning from other entertainers or helping out fellow dancers, Phillips strives to show appreciation to women, as many have helped her along the way.
One of the those who helped her and continues to do so is Stephanie Wilbanks, Director of Operations of The Pony Club chain.
“Stephanie has had my back! We talk about everything and she really cheered me on when I brought her my women empowerment ideas,” Phillips remarks. “To this day, she is in my corner.”
Wilbanks was quick to return the sentiment. “We’re thrilled to be working with Lauren,” Wilbanks mentioned just days after Phillips co-hosted the EDIs at their Memphis location. “With her magnetic personality, massive industry presence and unmatched work ethic, Lauren is the perfect representation of everything our club stands for — energy, excellence and unforgettable experiences.”
While her popularity across the cinematic realm can’t be questioned, Phillips knew that gaining exposure and respect, while featuring, meant she was starting from the floor up, no different than anyone else crossing the threshold from dressing room to the main stage.
“When I got into the feature world, my first goal was to get to know people because when I went to my first ED EXPO, I didn’t know anyone,” she remarks, a huge shift from the adult film industry, where she knew everyone. That is where Frank Bane, owner of Continental Theatrical Agency (CTA), came in. “I pulled Frank over and told him, introduce me to the club owners, tell me about their clubs – I want to know them all!’” There she met Jerry Westlund, owner of The Pony Club chain, thus sparking a business and personal friendship.
The Pony and the redheaded stallion
In the past year, Phillips has nurtured and grown her brand to embody her ideals.
During the annual Pony Christmas Party, which also happened to land on Phillips’ birthday (December 8th), she came to Westlund with a deal to become the chain’s brand ambassador, a moniker not easily defined, but ever in businesswomen mode, Phillips came with a plan. In her pitch, Phillips listed all the key factors she had amassed under her garter belt. “I already had AdultTime on film, my fan sites, my camming site, my EXXXOTICA sponsorship and a multitude of other monikers that I can bring to the table as an ambassador.”
Lauren’s found a homebase at The Pony Clubs. Her personality, charisma and her dedication to entertainment mirrors only the best of feature entertainers. We are thrilled to welcome her as The Pony Club’s brand ambassador and plan on an exciting partnership in the coming months.
— Jerry Westlund, owner of The Pony Clubs chain
Westlund, however, was on board, and a new chapter soon began for Lauren. Becoming a brand ambassador for The Pony Club chain does not exclusively compel her to entertain only at Pony locations, however. Instead, it has created a marketing partnership. “The Pony and I will represent each other by blending our brands,” she says, explaining her symbiotic relationship. “I will be continuously working with The Pony and at the club, on top of which, if they want me at any events, I will be there representing them.”
Moreover, Phillips will also be at events like The ED Expo, EXXXOTICA and FetishCon, representing The Pony chain. “I can now start opening the door to these more adult film conventions,” she says.
She also negotiated a marketing agreement that enables her to promote specific events via her social media. To put that in perspective, Phillips’ IG (@laurenfillsup) has over 1.4 million followers.
“There is so much stuff I want to learn because I hope to expand as we build this relationship together,” Phillips says. “Jerry and the Pony Nation are my family. I’m always with them. They all have nothing but amazing things to say about working with me. I’m starting to know a lot of the house girls, the crew, the GMs and creating friendships. I just love them so much.”
The LP Empire
As a feature entertainer, she has managed to secure bookings with multiple clubs across
the US, with her most “successful” booking being Headlights Gentleman’s Club in Chesapeake, West Virginia.
“My goal is usually to make double what I get paid per show in tips, private dances, VIProoms and champagne rooms,” she explains. “At Headlights, I made triple.”
One of her top pieces of advice for any entertainer building their brand is advice she received from another house dancer. “When I go to different clubs, I make sure to grab their Snapchat,” she says. “It is an excellent way to build regulars and keep them up to date on when I will be coming to a club.”
Balancing her work as feature entertainer, Pony Club ambassador, and film director, the entrepreneurial Crimson-tinged consort to many continues to support events across the industry. Phillips was the first entertainer to sponsor the EDIs and ED EXPO, with her return coming up at this year’s festivities at The Flamingo in Las Vegas.
We’re thrilled to welcome Lauren Phillips as our brand ambassador. With her magnetic personality, massive industry presence, and unmatched work ethic, Lauren is the perfect representation of everything our clubs stand for— energy, excellence, and unforgettable experiences.
— Stephanie Wilbanks, Director of Operations of The Pony Club chain
When asked how she deals with multiple business ventures, she says, “It takes a lot, mostly lack of sleep. But I just love it — I love the hustle. It is all about compartmentalizing and putting everything in its right corner; after all, it is still the same brand, my brand.”
For more information, visit lplinkz.com. To book Lauren at your club, you can reach out via her agents Frank Bane (continentalagency.com) or Dave Michaels (alistfeatures.com) or Dave (centerfoldfeatures.com).
