The Sky’s the Limit for Domino Presley with New Musical Endeavor, The Gurls

LAS VEGAS, NV - Award-winning performer Domino Presley has transcended her success in the adult industry and set her sights on musical stardom with The Gurls, a musical group created by her and trans recording artist Alissah. The Gurls made their official stage debut at this year’s London Pride in front of thousands of fans where they performed alongside Vampire Diaries star Kat Graham as featured guests on her hit summer anthem, “Woof.” 

“There were thousands upon thousands of happy Pride goers cheering and dancing to a song we are featured on,” mused Presley, “It was unreal and quite magical performing live in front of a crowd that size.”

Alissah echoed Presley’s sentiments. “Performing ‘Woof’ was such an amazing moment. It validated what we had been doing and also solidified that we are here to stay.” 

Presley, who also goes by the stage name Domino Balenciaga, first teased the audience at the 2022 Trans Erotica Awards and appeared in trans recording artist Alissah’s opening number. The audience erupted with cheers during her rap verse of the YouTube exclusive remix of Alissah’s hit song, “Daddy.” 

Since the performance back in March, Presley has continued to pour her talents into cultivating her music career. Alissah and Presley then combined musical forces to create the pop group, The Gurls, with an alternating third spot reserved for other LGBTQ performers to join the duo.  After a busy summer for The Gurls, Presley and Alissah returned to the recording studio and invited Rupaul’s Drag Race alum Gia Gunn to appear on their upcoming track, “Glamour.”

“I’m so excited to announce we have our first single dropping in the beginning of October, just in time for Halloween and Atlanta Pride,” explained Presley. “It’s definitely a dance song and with a title like Glamour we thought it only appropriate to feature my good sis Miss Gia Gunn after her viral post asking, ‘where is the glamour?’ The song is produced by B.Ames and has tons of attitude with some Ballroom/Vogue vibes. I obviously had to give a shout-out to the house I’m in, House of Balenciaga. You should most definitely expect a music video as well” 

“It’s been a while since I’ve felt inspired to do music but this collaboration is so special because we are embracing sisterhood, being visible, and most importantly, demonstrating trans power!” added Gunn. “I can’t wait to see you all have fun with this new bop!”

Alissah is excited about the release of “Glamour.” She stated, “It’s evolved into this sexy, strong anthem of self-love. It’s a vibe and we are excited to be at the clubs with this song.” 

To learn more about The Gurls, follow them on Instagram at @th3gurlsmusic. You can also follow Domino Presley on Instagram at @DominoPresley.

Press inquiries can be sent to kristelpenn@ikigaimarketing.com. 

Jamie French Appears on Transitions Stories Podcast

LAS VEGAS, NV - Jamie French candidly discussed her trans journey and history in the adult industry on the Transition Stories Podcast hosted by Phoebe J. Rose. 

French shared, “In this episode of the Transition Stories Podcast, Phoebe and I go deep about my entry into the adult entertainment industry, what it is to occupy space in the ‘trans niche’ and how to effectively break a pair of headphones while podcasting live.”

In Season 4, Episode 3 of Transition Stories with Phoebe J. Rose, French shared her transition story, recounting the support she’s had from family and friends throughout her journey. 

Rose discussed the unique breadth of the experiences of trans people. French added, “I don’t want to paint this picture where everything has been honky-dory. I’ve absolutely had very traumatic things happen in my life, like everybody, ups and downs…but none of the horrible things that have happened in my life have affected what it means to me to be a trans person. Being trans is a part of me, and outside factors and outside circumstances have no bearing on what it means to be trans. It is something that I own and that I express, something I feel completely in charge of, and no outside forces or circumstances or authority has any effect on that.” 

The episode can be viewed online on Phoebe Rose’s Official YouTube here.

ABOUT JAMIE FRENCH

Jamie French is a 15-year veteran performer and producer of the adult industry currently based in Las Vegas, NV. She has received numerous accolades over her illustrious career, including the 2015 TEA Best Solo Site Award and 2016 TEA Best Scene Producer Award winner. Most recently she was awarded the 2022 TEA Transcendence Award. 

During French’s longstanding career, she worked with a long list of production companies, including Grooby, Evil Angel, TransErotica, VR Bangers, Gender X, Kink, Legal Porno, and Adult Time, with more scenes to be released soon. She also produced and directed groundbreaking titles, Trans6uals 1 and 2, for Grooby Productions. In 2018, French also signed with TransErotica as a contract model. Visit her official website at ClubJamieFrench.com or follow her on Twitter at @Jamie_French. 

Kristel Penn to Present Mental Health Workshop at YNOT Summit Tomorrow

CYBERSPACE - Grooby’s Kristel Penn will be presenting a free workshop tomorrow on navigating the mental health system as a performer as part of YNOT Summit’s online conference starting today. 

“Now more than ever, many of us are in need of mental health support due to the stress of the pandemic,” says Penn. “Whether you have insurance or not, you deserve access to competent and affirming therapy. People attending this workshop will learn how to find, interview, and choose a clinician that fits with their personal needs.” 

“Model Wellness: How to Get Help When You Need It” is presented by Grooby’s Marketing and Editorial Director, Kristel Penn, and is scheduled for July 21, 2020, from 12-1250 pm PDT. The workshop description is as follows: 

Navigating the mental health system can be a labyrinth filled with confusing technical jargon, safety and privacy concerns, plus the fear of being judged and discriminated against because of your profession. Not to mention the extra task of trying to find a competent and affirming therapist who understands the unique concerns of being a sex worker. In this 50-minute workshop, adult industry advocate, and MA in Psychology student, Kristel Penn, shares the 411 of different mental health services and its pros/cons (e.g. the difference between therapy and life coaching, different types of providers), finding a sex worker affirming provider, interviewing and selecting a potential professional, and navigating the system with/without health insurance.

Source: https://www.ynotsummit.com/schedule/model-wellness-how-to-get-help-when-you-need-it/

For those interested in attending, please visit YNOTSummit.com to learn more.

Follow Kristel on Twitter or Instagram at @thekristelpenn. For more mental health resources, please visit AdultIndustryTherapy.com.  

Wendy Williams Raising Money for Beloved LGBT Bar in Tennessee

COOKEVILLE, TN - Adult industry legend Wendy Williams raising money for the livelihood of Cookeville’s LGBT historic landmark, Temptation Bar.

“One of the great things about my long career in the industry was having the savings to open my LGBT bar three years ago,” says Williams. “It’s scary not knowing if I’ll be able to re-open because there’s no income coming in. My fans have been awesome supporting my camming and fan platforms, but that’s only going towards my personal household, not my small business.  I hate to ask for help but sometimes you have to swallow your Pride and speak up.” 

credit: Temptation Bar

Williams is grateful for the support she has received from the community. “I want to take a moment to thank Steven Grooby as well,” Williams added. “He donated first, before I even set up the GoFundMe. He continues to support independent trans women, even outside of porn, and I’m very thankful for his generosity.” 

In the beginning of March, Cookeville was hit by a tornado that narrowly missed Temptation Bar by 20 ft. The building had minimal damage, but the surrounding community was hit hard. Williams was able to re-open on March 13th for one weekend before the COVID-19 pandemic made it a health hazard to remain open to the community. Storm damages and loss of revenue streams have depleted Williams savings, who owns and operates the Temptation Bar. 

“Certain operational expenses must be maintained to preserve a positive gathering place for our community,” explains Williams. “ We are all having to tighten our belts during this trying time as futures are frightening and uncertain. However anything you could do to help us will be greatly appreciated.”

Donations are being accepted directly through the GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/temptation-bar

Wendy Williams is one of the most awarded TS pornstars in the industry, an AVN Hall of Famer and TEA Lifetime Achievement Award winner with a career that spans nearly twenty years. In addition to her official website, WendyWilliamsXXX.com, she has worked for nearly every major trans adult company in the industry. 

During her illustrious career, Williams has been collected a multitude of nominations and wins, including the 2009 AVN Transsexual Performer of the Year and TEA Best Solo Site award, 2010 XBIZ Transsexual Performer of the Year, 2011 XBIZ TS Website of the Year and Urban X Best TS Interracial Website award, 2012 Urban X Transsexual Interracial Performer of the Year, 2014 Feminist Porn Honored Website award, 2016 Biggie Awards Social Media Personality of the Year, and the 2017 BBW Awards Trans Star of the Year. 

Williams is also the owner of her own cosmetics line, PaintedByWendy.com. She currently runs the longest-running trans party in Lexington, KY. 

Follow Wendy on Twitter at @TSWendyWilliams or on Instagram @TSWendyWilliams.

Kristel Penn Snags Two XBIZ Industry Exec Award Nominations

LOS ANGELES, CA - Grooby’s Marketing and Editorial Director Kristel Penn snagged two coveted XBIZ Industry Exec Award nominations this week.

“It’s an honor not only be nominated for an XBIZ Industry Exec Award, but to be nominated in two categories that hold such personal significance to me,” said Kristel Penn. “In both categories, my name is listed amongst people who are doing such important work in our industry and who I’ve long admired since I started my career over ten years ago. Win or lose, I am incredibly grateful to be recognized for my work and to share this nomination with so many titans of our industry.”

Penn is currently nominated for Community Figure of the Year and WIA Woman of the Year. Winners will be announced at the upcoming 2019 XBIZ LA Show at the Andaz Hotel.

In 2018, Penn served as the Managing Editor of Transformation Magazine, America’s longest running transgender lifestyle magazine. As Grooby’s Marketing and Editorial Director, she is also the Event Producer of the annual Transgender Erotica Awards in Los Angeles, CA. Earlier this year Grooby created a free bi-monthly digital magazine, Grooby Girls, to provide business resources, community news, and more to the trans adult industry.

In addition to Penn’s work with Grooby, earlier this year she co-presented an educational workshop at Catalyst Con to discuss how to destigmatize porn and its consumption, with a focus on detangling shame and sexuality through self-reflection and open dialogue. Most recently, she enrolled in an MA in Counseling program with the long-term goal of helping create safe and competent mental health services to those in the adult industry.

“Mental health awareness is a topic that has long been part of my advocacy work on a personal and professional level,” Penn added. “I want to use my life experiences, which includes both my privilege and marginalization, to help destigmatize the adult industry and help provide competent mental health resources for our community. I understand the great responsibility of having a goal like this, which is why I chose to enroll in a counseling program this year. I wanted to ensure that anything I’d potentially implement would be competent, safe, and sustainable.”

In 2017, Penn won the XBIZ Industry Exec Award for Brand Ambassador of the Year. In 2018, she was nominated for Marketing Executive of the Year. To learn more about her, visit IkigaiMarketing.com and Grooby.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Kristel_Penn.

Queer Artist Zolita Featured on ‘Sluts & Scholars’ Podcast

LOS ANGELES, CA - Released today on sex-positive podcast, Sluts & Scholars, co-hosts Nicoletta and Simone interview queer artist, Zolita. The episode is now available for download at iTunes and Spotify.

“Zolita is a true artivist - blending art and activism,” said Nicoletta. “Her exploration of sexuality and lesbian sex is so authentic, raw, and vulnerable.”

In the latest episode, Zolita’s Cult of Girls, the Slutty Scholars chat with queer artist, Zolita. The three discuss what femme lesbian sex looks like, queer art, how to have sex with long nails, and how Zolita deals with haters. Visit SlutsandScholars.com for a full list of episodes.


ABOUT NICOLETTA HEIDEGGER

Nicoletta Heidegger is the founder and co-host of the popular Sluts & Scholars podcast where she discusses sex, dating, current affairs, politics, and more. Past guests include Dita Von Teese, Nina Hartley, Jessica Drake, Blair Williams, Hudsy Hawn, Dr. David Ley, and most recently Sasha Grey. She is also a registered Marriage and Family Therapy Associate based in LA and hosts a YouTube series called Staying On Top where she shares the latest sex facts, education, and research.

In addition to her podcast and work as a therapy associate, Heidegger has contributed to The Stanford Daily, Vice, Playboy Radio’s Swing with Holli & Michael, Rebecca Zahler’s Don’t Waste Your Pretty podcast, Karen Lee Poter’s Sex Talk with My Mom, Dr. Wendy Walsh, and The Positive Results Corporation.

To learn more about Nicoletta Heidegger, visit her official website at Nicolettavheidegger.com. You can also follow her on Twitter at @MsHeidegger and @slutsscholars.