Porn Actress Stormy Daniels took the city of West Hollywood by storm yesterday (the play on her name doesn’t seem to get old). There was a media circus that probably hasn’t been seen in the heart of WeHo’s Boystown since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-sex marriage on June 26, 2015.
What started out as a simple meet-and-greet at the Chi Chi LaRue’s porn boutique, where Daniels was scheduled to sell #TeamStormy t-shirts from her online store, turned into a media feeding frenzy after the city announced an official press conference at 4pm, where West Hollywood Mayor John Duran would officially declare May 22, as Stormy Daniels Day (only in West Hollywood). The City was also giving her a key to the city in recognition of her leadership in the #RESIST movement.
“Lady Godiva rode naked through the streets of England to protest injustice and taxes, and we have our own Lady Godiva here in the city of West Hollywood,” Mayor Duran said at the press conference.
Mayor Pro Tempore John D’Amico, presented Daniels with the official key to the city.
“I’m not sure what the key opens. I’m hoping it’s the key to the wine cellar,” Daniels joked. Then she added, “In all seriousness, the city of West Hollywood is truly a special place, very close to my heart…this community has a history of standing up to bullies and speaking truth to power and I’m so very lucky to be a part of it. I’m elated and honored. Thank you to everyone.”
“Stormy is one of the most self-aware, courageous people you will ever come to know in your lifetime,” her lawyer Michael Avenatti–not known to shy away from camera crews–said at the press conference. “She’s not packing up, she’s not going home, she will be here for the long fight each and every day until it’s concluded.”
The people standing outside Chi Chi LaRue’s formed a line that snaked down Santa Monica Boulevard. At one point it reached as far as Santa Palm Car Wash. Some people waited for over two hours to meet Daniels. The #TeamStormy shirts sold for $26.00 each. The photos she signed were free. She seemed in good spirits, despite a long day and large crowds. She signed photos, t-shirts and one guy asked her to sign a red Make America Great Again hat, which she did good-naturedly. Fans were also allowed one photo with their camera phone. Unfortunately porn director Chi Chi LaRue was in Chicago during the biggest nights the Chi Chi LaRue’s store has seen in recent memory.
Stormy Daniels at Chi Chi LaRue’s – Photo by Mike Pingel
Photo by Mike PingelThe event did not flow without its opposition. A group of about five Trump supporters showed up with red MAGA hats and pro-Trump signage to complain about a city that supports a porn actress. One guy wore a red MAGA hat written in Russian.
The Abbey Food and Bar also moved in on the Stormy action by hosting her at a VIP reception. Stormy fans who purchased a #TeamStormy t-shirt avoided the lines and were allowed VIP access to meet her at The Abbey later that night.
The following day, it was the calm after the storm on Santa Monica Boulevard.
