Sometimes it seems I live in a bubble.
I'd never heard of Stormy Daniels before Donald Trump became president. It was after he became leader of the free world that lots of people heard her name.
The porn maven is not the only reason Trump was recently convicted of 34 felony counts recently for falsifying business records, but she doesn't shy from the headlines she created by testifying against him.
The case concerned Trump's efforts to conceal his alleged affair with Daniels — years before he won the White House — by buying her silence for $130,000 ... and claiming it was a business expense.
Now she'll be in New Orleans on June 19-20 for two sold-out shows at the AllWays Lounge & Cabaret Twilight Room in the Marigny section of the city. Tickets cost $25. Or is it $24.69 like on the website?
Coincidentally, that's just a few days before Trump's $3,300-per-person private dinner at an undisclosed location in New Orleans on June 24. Those who want to join the host committee, which includes a photo op, can fork over $250,000.
I won't be attending either event, but I admit I'm somewhat curious about Daniels, who was born in Baton Rouge as Stephanie A. Gregory Clifford.
I've read stories about her, as have many others.
GQ described Trump meeting Daniels during a "libidinous weekend" at a Tahoe celebrity golf tournament secretly attended by a number of porn stars. Too many details of their alleged time together have already been shared, though New York prosecutors promised trial Judge Juan Merchan that Daniels' testimony would not "involve any details of genitalia.”
It didn't. Barely.
Thank God for small favors.
Ticket buyers to Daniels' upcoming appearances in New Orleans likely want to hear the rest of the story — along with Trump jokes — during the three-part show with comedian Greg Studley. There will also be a Q&A segment, followed by a chance for audience members to get a pic and autograph with Daniels.
The June 19 show's billing borrows from the headlines: "One Night Stand with Stormy Daniels."
After Trump's conviction by a New York jury, that show quickly sold out.
"Apparently one night was not enough! Due to demand, a second night has been added," the venue posted online earlier this week, announcing "(ANOTHER) One Night Stand with Stormy Daniels" on June 20.
The second show sold out Monday.
Look her up online and the "Known for" part of her bio says, "Stormy Daniels — Donald Trump scandal, pornographic career."
Daniels may have had faithful followers before her name became forever tied to Trump's, but the reason her shows are selling out is because of the name Trump, not the name Daniels. She'll forever be tied to The Donald for something more than a bedtime story. She told a reporter recently that she has to live with that "legacy."
If you're not going to her show but remain curious, here are my best guesses as to what you'd see:
- Curious folks without tickets will stand outside to gawk and talk about what they're not going to see as they hope to catch a glimpse of Daniels.
- Excited ticketholders will queue up at least an hour before showtime so they can get the best seats.
- Inside, crowds will laugh whether the jokes or funny or not; they'll just want to see Daniels, even with her clothes on, as they imagine what she looks like with her clothes off.
- Some quiet fans will just want to be in her presence.
- Others will eagerly await the Q&A segment to pose questions whose answers can be found on the internet, all for the chance to ask the most provocative, salacious and titillating question of the night — and to hear Daniels say that.
I can't imagine a photo with Daniels will be free, but, judging by the price of admission, it will pale in comparison to what Trump charges for one.
Stormy Daniels has made a lot of money off the Trump name. She likely will be telling Trump stories for a long, long time. She might even share some with her grandchildren one day.
In the meantime, I suspect her show in New Orleans will attract a mostly male audience anxious to be able to tell a Stormy Daniels story or two of their own.
I won't be there. I said earlier I was curious about Daniels, but I'm not that curious.
