This would be about that time Jimi Hendrix punched Television’s Richard Lloyd.
The foursome came of age in the seventies CBGB era alongside Patti Smith, the Ramones, Dead Boys, Blondie, Iggy Pop, and all those other rock junkies who happened to pull it together long enough to make iconic albums.
Inspired by writers like Jim Carroll and William Burroughs, and the garbage dump that was NYC in the late seventies, the CBGB scene was a potent cocktail of artists, musicians, punks, and emaciated misfits who shared a common love of not giving a shit. Television climbed the social hierarchy to star status when Smith took a liking to the band during a residency the two acts shared at the downtown club (Smith would eventually shack up with the band’s frontman, Tom Verlaine).
Verlaine took himself and the music very seriously, while bassist Richard Hell and lead guitarist Richard Lloyd were more interested in having a good time. Hell quit the band before Marquee Moon debuted, but Lloyd stuck around, and his style went on to influence bands like R.E.M., Echo and the Bunnymen, and Joy Division.
Long before Lloyd played onstage with Television, he was a baby-faced teenager roaming the streets of New York. And like most boys in the sixties who wanted to play guitar, Lloyd idolized Jimi Hendrix.
According to Lloyd, sometime in early 1968, he and his friends managed to pool together enough money to buy some hash. While they were waiting for the delivery at his friend’s house, a 16-year-old Brooklynite named Velvert Turner showed up. Turner started talking about how he knew Jimi Hendrix, and while the other boys mocked him, Lloyd says he knew “to an absolute degree of certainty that [Turner] knew Jimi Hendrix.”
As Lloyd tells it, Turner called the Warwick Hotel in Manhattan and asked for a name nobody recognized. He passed the receiver around so the others could hear it ringing, and when it got to Lloyd someone picked up. “‘Hey man, what’s up? Who is this?’” Lloyd said he heard, adding, “He must have been really asleep, ’cause it rang about 14 times.”
Lloyd pretended to be Turner then quickly shoved the receiver into the kid’s hands. When Turner got off the phone, he announced he was on the guest list for Hendrix’s show that night, with a plus one. Turner invited Lloyd, the quiet kid, and the only one who hadn’t mocked him.
For Lloyd, the show was life-changing.
“It was like looking into a nuclear furnace — otherworldly and everybody was freaking out,” he said in an interview with the punk history website Please Kill Me. “It was the first time I ever saw a wave because the stage rotated. When Jimi was in front of your side, you stood up and everybody screamed and yelled and then when you couldn’t see [the band] anymore you sat back down and there was a new group standing.”
Turns out Turner knew Hendrix pretty well. Hendrix had been teaching him guitar, and Turner soon started sharing everything he’d learned with Lloyd. The two boys became best friends, toting around their Stratocasters to school and sneaking into any show they could.
In November the following year, Hendrix was playing a small club called Salvation in Greenwich Village — an intimate warm-up show to kick off a long tour, and an early birthday party for Hendrix, who was turning 26. To keep fans away, the band was billed as the Black Roman Orgy, but the sound system sucked and Hendrix left the stage, retreating to his table, where Lloyd had somehow scored a seat.
Over the course of the evening, Hendrix opened up to Lloyd, confessing how he felt stifled by fame, and was sick of performing on command. He wanted to explore new musical styles but “they” wouldn’t let him. Awestruck, Lloyd gushed about how much Hendrix’s music meant to him, and encouraged him to do what he wanted despite what anyone thought. Then out of nowhere, Hendrix reached out and punched him three times — twice in the face, once in the gut.
Shocked and humiliated, Lloyd slunk out of the booth and hid in the back of the club, until the cleaning guy asked him to leave. Outside in the parking lot, Lloyd ran into Hendrix who was waiting in his Corvette.
“He called me over and asked for my hands,” Lloyd remembers. “He apologized and began weeping on them.” Lloyd stood motionless as his hands were soaked with Hendrix’s tears. The rock star mumbled near-inaudible apologies, before finally rolling up his window and driving off.
When Lloyd told Turner what happened, he laughed. Hendrix hated compliments, he explained. He thought they were patronizing — basically an insult.
But those three punches didn’t matter to Lloyd. “I didn’t care that he hit me,” he says, looking back. “He gave me something that I’ve carried to this day. It was a gift.”
Suzie Banks is a writer and music nerd based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her record collection spans two rooms and is in perfect alphabetical order.
Beyond wanting to pause a moment and consider a mental image of Jimi Hendrix driving a Corvette, we felt a need to share just a little bit more from the man himself. The header image for this article represents a monument in Germany where Jimi played his last live concert, if you’re curious, and aside from learning — once again, that heroin is bad, we can continue to be amazed at the brief time we were given.
Purple haze all in my brain. Lately, things just don’t seem the same. Acting funny, but I don’t know why. Excuse me while I kiss the sky…Jimi Hendrix
In November and December 2004, U.S. military forces took part in their bloodiest battle since 1968. For the six weeks the Second Battle of Fallujah raged, U.S. Marines and Army soldiers led some of the heaviest urban combat American forces had faced in decades—even going as far as to use white phosphorus, a highly controversial chemical agent often compared to napalm, to target insurgent forces.
Nicknamed Operation Phantom Fury, the battle resulted in an estimated 6,000 total casualties, including: 95 U.S. forces, between 1,200 and 2,000 Iraqi insurgents, and an estimated 800 or more civilians.
Now, the battle is being waged once more—in the new first-person-shooter game SixDaysinFallujah,which features real-life stories of U.S. Marines and soldiers, as well as those of Iraqi civilians. The game launched in June 2023 in early release for Microsoft Windows, but developers promise an even more lifelike experience when the full game makes its debut on Xbox and PlayStation in 2024, saying, “The full version will offer a complete single-player story campaign that recreates true stories of Americans and Iraqis during the battle, as well as a robust special operator mode, more player roles, more co-op missions, and AI teammates.”
The game’s Steam site proclaims: “Six Days in Fallujah is a highly realistic first-person tactical shooter developed with help from more than 100 Marines and soldiers who served in the Second Battle of Fallujah.“
Based on true stories from one of the world’s toughest modern battles, Six Days drops you and your team into real-world scenarios that require real-life tactics to overcome.”
But it’s exactly this promise of a “true” experience that’s riled up military veterans and gamers alike as they debate whether such an experience really should be turned into entertainment.
The game, which was initially pitched to Atomic Games, was proposed by Sgt. Eddie Garcia, a Marine Corps veteran who fought in the battle. Following four years of development, the game was slated for release in 2009. Before the game could launch, however, Atomic’s publishing partner pulled out of the deal because of the controversy surrounding its release.
More than 14 years later, the Falluja debate rages once more.
One facet of the controversy: the accusation that the game was designed as a recruitment tool for the U.S. military. In 2020, after using the streaming app Twitch to reach gamers, the military was barred from the platform. At the time, it was revealed that gamers who tuned in to the U.S. Army’s streaming channel were lured to a recruitment page by links that were shared as part of alleged contests to win gaming gear. According to The Nation, users who followed the links were presented with “a recruiting form with no additional mention of a contest, odds, total number of winners, or when a drawing will occur.”
Rod Breslau, an e-sports industry consultant and insider, told The Nation, “You can say what you want about people who serve in the military and what that says about them. I’m not saying they shouldn’t be able to play video games or e-sports, but I do think it’s more insidious to have the military using it as a recruiting tool for young, impressionable people.”
The game’s publishers have denied any connection to recruitment, stating that they only worked with members of the military community as “private citizens” to get their input on the realities of the battle.
Another part of the controversy: the battle is too real to be a game. TechRadar Editor-in-Chief Jake Tucker had a chance to play the early release version of the game when it launched. In his review, he wrote, “It’s intense, brutal and the sort of tactical shooter that’s best suited for a dedicated team. Sadly, the horror doesn’t end when you come out of the mission. … Wading through the bloodshed of the Second Battle of Fallujah certainly left me feeling like I needed to take a shower.”
Cat Bussell, a staff writer for TechRadar and former political analyst, also questioned the game’s reality and motives in her review. “SixDaysdoes little to address the extremely blurred lines between civilians and combatants that defined the Iraq War. While many accounts of the conflict, including Six Days, paint the insurgent/civilian dichotomy as a binary contrast, the reality was not nearly as cut and dry,” Bussell wrote. “The Iraqis of SixDays… are either corpses or part of an indistinguishable militant horde, with no room for nuance. While the stories of the Marines absolutely deserve to be told, the same is true for the locals, whether or not they fought against the invaders, were bystanders, or found themselves being something in-between.”
Middle East Eye, in their article about the game, referenced a since-deleted tweet by a user whose commentary was a little more pointed: “Experience what it’s like to be a war criminal as you kill, rape and torture innocent Iraqi civilians because you’re a career terrorist.”
In 2021, when the game’s revival was initially announced, Middle East analyst Ahmed Twaij called out the game and its creators for devaluing Iraqi lives. “Preying on these real-life tragedies for entertainment is morally reprehensible, and the opportunity to play as U.S. soldiers in Fallujah and conduct virtual crimes only compounds the ongoing trauma suffered by Iraqis around the world,” Twaij wrote in ForeignPolicy. “For Iraqis, there is no off switch, and as the effects of the war continue to ripple through civilians’ daily lives, they deserve better than having their trauma flattened into 2D narratives for Western entertainment. Their lives are not a game.”
“We’re not asking players to commit atrocities in the game.”
Others, however, view the game as just that—a game. Six Days’ mastermind and longtime champion Peter Tamte has stood by it since its conception. He’s argued in the past that if television and movies could tell real-life war stories for entertainment, then games should be allowed to take inspiration from actual battles, too. “We’re not asking players to commit atrocities in the game,” he told GamesIndustry.biz in 2021. “Are we effectively sanitizing events by not doing that? I don’t think that we need to portray the atrocities in order for people to understand the human cost. We can do that without the atrocities.”
Tamte added, “Very few people are curious what it’s like to be an Iraqi civilian. Nobody’s going to play that game.”
Eddie Garcia, who initially conceived Six Days in 2004, also stands behind the game. “I always felt a movie would be too narrow of a lens to capture our experience in Iraq. A game on the other hand was perfect,” Garcia told Military Times in June 2023. “A game could capture various perspectives, stories, ideas and feelings in a way that was personal and intimate. My hope for the project was that the game could be a medium for all those things, for a diverse group of Marines, and I believe it succeeded.”
Veteran Read Omohundro, who served as a consultant on the original game concept and the final game, is equally supportive and finds the controversy around Six Days to be nonsense. According to Omohundro, the issues being raised against the game are those of policy and politics, something he says has little if anything to do with the actual battles waged by American servicemembers. “When [U.S. soldiers are] in the middle of a combat zone, they don’t give a shit about the politics of why they’re there. They’re just there. They’re taking care of their buddies, and their friends are doing their mission,” he told Polygon. “And that’s what this game is about. Not about what policymakers did up to that point.”
U.S. Marine veteran John Phipps, who fought in Fallujah, agrees the policies and politics that led to the battle are different from the actual fighting. But he also worries ignoring those foundational elements of the war takes away from the reality the game can offer. “Here, specifically, the insurgency was something of our own making. We created that,” he told GamesIndustry.biz.
However, regardless of the game’s inclusion of policy and overt politics, Phipps doesn’t believe it can engender a remotely realistic battle experience. “[This game] will not give you anywhere near an accurate sense of what it’s like to be near a battlefield, what it’s like to not just experience death in front of you, but to smell it, to hear it,” he said. “It’s not going to tell you what it’s like to watch a gunnery sergeant get reduced to ash in front of you, or having to clean him up afterward.”
Eddie Garcia ran for U.S. Senate in 2024, but lost in the Republican primary to someone who lost the general election by nine points. Obviously we cannot say whether the ultimate result might have changed in Virginia had the primary race come out differently, but we can confidently opine that the fact a primary battle far too often determines the ultimate Congressional representative in elections across the country these days makes us sad. It seems like we should at least try to get along.
We will leave to you the personal rumination as to whether “games” should this accurately reflect real life. Given the nature of the part of our company in the more explicit genres, we have our own views regarding how much reality one should glean from fantasy.
With explosive energy and aggressive vocals, Heidi Shepherd brings the heavy metal thunder to Butcher Babies with equally fierce co-frontwoman Carla Harvey. Take this incendiary pair, add the brutal riffs and hard-pounding beats of their fellow band members — bassist Ricky Bonazza, drummer Chase Brickenden and guitarist Henry Flury, Heidi’s longtime partner — and you have a formula for vicious perfection.
Born and raised in Utah as one of six kids in a musical Mormon family, Heidi forged her own path. The budding track and field star was an avid athlete in high school and college — and even competed in the 2003 Junior Olympics in Moscow — before breaking her back while training for the pole vault.
Heidi persevered through her long recovery, was briefly a Utah Jazz cheerleader and worked in radio. But she truly flourished after diving into the L.A. music scene.
She and Harvey were two of the sexy snarling hellcats in the successful cover band Switchblade Kitty, which played up and down the Sunset Strip. Heidi says the “crazy” group was “like Spice Girls on crack.”
Upon meeting Harvey, Heidi recalls thinking, “We were either going to be best friends or mortal enemies.”
She adds, “Luckily, we became best friends and created Butcher Babies. And it’s really just been a whirlwind ever since.”
For Heidi, her passion for the job entails more than the music.
She explains, “It’s about the performance, too, and the way it makes me feel. There was always just something inside of me that screams [onstage is] where I am supposed to be. I feel like a lot of people have that when they find their calling in life. It’s the aha moment.”
After self-releasing their first EP in 2011, Butcher Babies signed a worldwide record deal, toured with Marilyn Manson and recorded their raw and remarkably powerful debut album Goliath.
However, the band still faced criticism from small-minded naysayers who refused to accept a heavy metal band fronted by two gorgeous women.
“It was something that was really, really difficult at the time. A lot of people didn’t want to have anything to do with it,” Heidi admits.
She recalls having two female vocalists was “definitely a barrier” and confides, “We weren’t going out there with the intention of let’s break down barriers. We just decided to do what we wanted to do.”
Butcher Babies forged ahead, sensing the time was right for boundary-pushing acts.
“It was totally natural for us to feel like, OK, this is something that will be unique. This is something that will be different because everything was about being unique and different. I feel in different times in the past, they wanted you to fit in tight to this tiny little box. Being different was so exciting and so fun, and I’d always been kind of different.”
As Butcher Babies found their fame soaring, they were socked by some shockingly vile reactions.
“I was not prepared as an early 20-something for the backlash we got,” admits Heidi, who recalls people wishing her ill and hurling “death threats.”
She says, “It was so weird to me. That people would look at someone living their dream and want them to fail.”
But Heidi and her bandmates didn’t back down.
“I’ve always been driven by people telling me no. It’s just more of a reason for me to push back and say, Oh yeah? In a way it’s been a blessing in disguise the way we weren’t so easily accepted right away. We had to prove ourselves over and over again. That’s really what’s pushed us to become veterans in this genre.”
As far as creating Butcher Babies records, Heidi says she has a “creative bond” with Flury and the pair often works together in their studio and collaborates with bandmates.
Though Heidi doesn’t play an instrument, she has a keen ear for the kind of music the group is aiming for.
“Henry really, really does have the majority of the hand in the musical side of everything,” she says.
“I love being able to sit there and watch him be creative and be like, yeah, a little bit more of this. What if you change the key here? It’s something that we bonded over almost 15 years ago.”
However, Heidi is quick to add, “Everyone is welcome to express their creativity.”
She points out bassist Bonazza, who four years ago replaced Jason Klein after the musician took his leave to spend more time with family, wrote songs for Butcher Babies’ recently released dual-titled double album — Eye for an Eye… and …Til the World’s Blind — the group’s first full-length records since 2017’s Lilith.
“He brought such a fresh look into it. And so, we really love to open ourselves up to writing with everybody,” Heidi says. “It’s really an open-door policy for us, and it’s served us well.”
Diving into the visual aspects of the band’s creative endeavors is especially fulfilling for Heidi. She filmed most of the video for “Red Thunder” — a hard-driving track from …Til the World’s Blind,which features Evanescence-like pop elements — with Flury taking the camera to record her parts.
“It’s just kind of a something that I love. It’s another form of expression for me,” she shares. “It’s not just about the sound. There has to be really cool and unique visuals, too. [Creating videos] is something I love, love, love to do.”
Heidi says the band’s name was taken from The Plasmatics’ single “Butcher Baby” and reveals she and Harvey were inspired by the in-your-face attitude and barely there costumes of the late Wendy O. Williams, the punk group’s brash lead singer.
The women have since toned down their audacious stage looks and left their nipple tape shields behind. But it’s all part of their evolution into heavy metal’s leading ladies.
“I realized this band has taken on a life of its own, and I noticed there were young kids coming to shows and we were becoming role models,” Heidi says.
“I realized if I’m going to be a role model, I could still have that attitude. I just need to do it in a more positive way. The way I spoke became different, the language I use became different, and everything kind of became different. And I just wanted to be a positive influence to young girls and young women, [saying] you know, this is a boys’ club. But we can go in there and we can shake it up — and we can do it wearing stilettos.”
The famous Hollywood actress and dancer Ginger Rogers famously said, “I do everything the man does, only backwards and in high heels!” … Having said that, Ginger probably had a slightly different style than Heidi Shepherd, but that does not minimize the pro-woman power of each entertainer. Heidi, though, has Instagram and even a website for Butcher Babies. Ginger never did that, now did she?
This brainy babe Beautiful Blair Sander is fluent in English, Spanish and Romanian, has a degree in psychology and possesses a limitless hunger for knowledge. She loves learning from new people and connecting with her fans. If the bewitching brunette wasn’t working as a performer, Blair tells Penthouse she’d like to be a researcher in the field of artificial intelligence. “I am fascinated by the potential of AI to solve real problems and make the world a better place,” she says. “I think AI will become a great pivot in the evolution of humankind.”
Blair has undergone her own evolution as a model, dancer and actress — and grown more gorgeous with each passing year. Read on to learn more about this intriguing talent and feast your eyes on her fabulous photos!
[Odds seem good that if you have not noticed the fabulous photos by now, putting that sentence in was not really going to help much. -Ed.]
As for the basics::
Height: 5’3″ Measurements: 36C-24-36 Native Country: Romania
What is your favorite thing about your hometown?
It’s beautiful, peaceful and safe. Bucharest is a beautiful city full of history. You will always find something to do — no matter what you’re interested in. The nightlife is great; we have clubs and bars that are open 24/7.
How did you get involved in the adult industry?
I started as a camgirl years ago. Since then, the entire camming industry has grown a great deal. I’ve been able to meet a lot of great, genuine people online from whom I’ve managed to learn a lot.
Are there any celebrities you admire and why?
Elon Musk for what he does for the world of technology. He’s a brilliant mind.
If you could live the life of anyone in history, who would it be?
Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was rich, beautiful, brainy — and queen of two countries by end of her days!
Favorite way to relax?
I usually relax by watching a movie that features some delicious food.
What do you think is the hottest movie sex scene?
Sexy honeymoon scene in Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2, Edward and Bella were awesome.
What is the biggest turn-on for you?
A man who isn’t afraid to show his emotions,skillful flirtation, charismatic nerds, respectful dominance, competence. Everyone loves a good-looking man but looks fade. I personally seek someone who is emotionally mature, not afraid to be vulnerable. Communication is vital. He has to stimulate my mind.
When are you the happiest?
When my bank account is not empty.
If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?
I would choose to be a researcher in the field of artificial intelligence. I am fascinated by the potential of AI to solve real-world problems and make a better place. I think that the AI will become a great pivot the humankind evolution.
What is your favorite thing about your hometown?
It’s beautiful, peaceful and safe. Bucharest is a beautiful city full of history. You will always find something to do no matter what are you interested in. The night-life is great, we have clubs and bars that open 24/7, the cost of living is small compared to other countries. In and around the city there are lots of natural parks and places to relax. People are very friendly and welcoming and they will make you feel like you are part of the family.
For the record, Ms. Blair Sander answered our questions some time ago, so we cannot be 100% sure she would answer the same way today. We do know that you can still find her at Flirt4Free and ask her yourself. … We try to stay far, far away from controversies like that.
Renee Olstead took the Penthouse family to new heights with her outstanding modeling, robust advocacy work, and authenticity. The Penthouse family could not be prouder and happier to announce Renee as our newest Penthouse Pet of the Year – this time for 2024.
I was able to catch a call with Renee in between some of her meetings, which hopefully will help shed some insight for those who are new to meeting the lovely lass and even share insights for others interested in a deeper dive. Trust us when we say that when you develop an interest in our POY 2024, you’d best be ready for swimming in the deep end. Feeling forewarned, then, let’s jump into the mind of not only the sexiest redhead that I have met but also one of the sharpest brains I have come to know in our frisky community!
Do you want to go ahead and just give me a little introduction of yourself?
My name is Renee Olstead; I was January 2023 Penthouse Pet of the Month and am the POY 2024. I find it all very exciting, even being a former child actress. I call myself a kind of Kirkland-brand Jessica Rabbit. I’m a redhead. I was a brunette when I posed for Penthouse, but even then I was a redhead in disguise.
I’m honestly a very dichotomous person. Sometimes, people don’t know exactly what to expect when they meet me. For example, after spending years acting and dallying in music, I earned my Master’s Degree in clinical psychology. So you know, one side of me perhaps more professional and buttoned up, and then there’s another side of me that tends toward more outwardly sexy and a lot more spontaneous.
Tell me more about this degree. How long did it take to get it, and did you enjoy the schooling? Would you say you’re still a very active learner today, or are you more in teaching?
Olstead: A combination of both. I hope that I never stop learning. It took me a long time to finish my undergrad because I was also working at the time. I would take classes on weekends. However, for my master’s, I was penalized because I had petitioned the dean to take full time and a half for courses, and I didn’t have enough residency months or residency quarters on my record. Since I finished the program rather quickly, I had to stick around and take a couple of bonus classes just so I could be on campus long enough. That went really fast, whereas undergrad went slowly. I also think that when you are finally in a program learning specific, favorable, personal interests, engaging with the work becomes easier.
Does this degree intertwine with your POY 2024 accomplishment and future plans?
Olstead: Well, it’s interesting. I work to keep a separation between those two worlds. But I will say that a lot of my learning and the work that I’ve done outside of modeling also helps to inform a lot of the work I do around advocating for sex worker rights, something I’m truly passionate about. I do feel like that a combination of anyone’s worlds helps us figure out how to serve our community best by distilling what we care about. I actually had my first meeting with a lawmaker that I have a lot of respect for a couple of days ago, kind of proposing some legislation that would target particularly at assisting sex workers and decriminalizing sex work within Wisconsin.
How’s that going?
Olstead: We are in the initial stages, but I got a good reaction. I’m hoping that I can follow up on that.
Well, tell me more about yourself and your experiences in sex work, especially with your shoot that happened for your Pet of the Month layout.
Olstead: I moved into sex work around 2020, which was a time when I think a lot of people kind of moved into that space because of how COVID impacted society. I had just gone through a breakup with a long-term partner, and I feel like that year was a chance for me to replace a lot of things in my world. I had a lot of changes happening and took some time figuring out what I wanted to put in place of what was previously there.
I’ve been a fan of Penthouse and smut in general for decades. At that point, I had a pretty extensive collection of vintage magazines, vintage memorabilia, and other tangible erotica. I decided to see if I could move into this space, and so far I have found it to be such an amazing experience. I have absolutely no regrets, and I love my community. I had no idea that I would end up on the cover of Penthouse. That was far beyond my expectations.
Do you have any previous models that really stood out in those vintage magazines?
Olstead: It depends on the decade, too, right? Because I feel like there are so many people who are amazing now, and then there are people who were amazing in the 70s and amazing in the 60s. Specifically, I collect magazines from the ’60s to the ’90s. I truly adore Anna Nicole!
Grab the closest magazine you have right now and tell me who’s on the cover!!
Olstead: The closest one that I have to me is actually Sam Phillip’s issue of Penthouse from 1993. I will put her up there next to Anna as one of my favorite 90s models, amazing.
As you’ll learn, there was a big party celebrating the POY 2024 announcement in Las Vegas this past January, which our top event photographer attended. The photos you see illustrating this interview (mostly) come from that experience. One should always take time for beautiful, happy, people, after all.
People might like to know exactly what’s on your nightstand! Ha!
Olstead: I actually recreated the June 2004 issue, which is kind of outside of the years that I normally collect. But I actually did a retrospective a while ago where I shot a bunch of my favorite Penthouse covers. … Let’s see Dominique Dane. It was photographed by J. Stephen Hicks, a beautiful shot of her lying on a pink carpet. I worked with a friend of mine named Isaiah Mays, who is a fantastic photographer, and we recreated some of my favorite covers. That was a really fun shoot. I love it when I can be in my creative, sexy, feminine energy and have time to create fantasies with depth.
What does that exactly look like for you? And how do you make sure that when you’re on those sets, you’re creating that energy?
Olstead: I can best describe it by discussing the contrast between that type of shoot and what I’d call more pure “content” creation. You know, content can be great fun, and sometimes I just snap a picture in the mirror when I’m feeling sexy. On the other hand, I feel like when I have a vision or something that I want to bring to life it becomes a lot more work-intensive for the most part. You probably know that I shoot most of the stuff I put up online. Occasionally I’ll work with a photographer, but a lot of times, it comes down to me just me doing it myself. So that means gathering the prompts and creating the references, including what kind of poses, what kind of accessories, what kind of shots, and what kind of location.
As a model, how do you bring that divine femininity onto sets?
Olstead: I will say this might be an area where my background in acting helps a bit because I feel like sometimes you want to have that transformation, right? You want to get into the energy of the person that you are portraying, this character that you’re becoming. That changes based on the fantasy.
What’s more important, having a good wardrobe on set or having really good hair and makeup on set?
Olstead: Hair and makeup!
What specifically drew you to Penthouse?
Olstead: Well, I was already transitioned out of mainstream. At that point, I was living in LA, I was still in school, and I got a DM on Instagram from the Penthouse account, but I didn’t open it immediately because I thought it was spam. I thought it was a fake account pretending to be Penthouse. I didn’t think it was real initially, and then I opened the message! After I responded, I got a call from Sam saying they’d like to ask me if I’d be up for shooting with the magazine, I – number one – started freaking out. And number two, I started crying. It was absolutely incredible and a total dream come true. It was magical!
Tell me what type of modeling you want to do next, and are there any types you do not want to do?
Olstead: I know I mentioned before that I recreated some of my favorite covers, and seeing as I am such a fan of the Penthouse archive, I think that could potentially be cool as a concept. But yes, I think I’m really excited about the POY 2024 shoot. That would definitely be next on my radar.
What exactly are you passionate about?
Olstead: I am passionate about my values, when I see people moving in the world and doing things that uplift others. I find that very sexy. I know that sounds trite, but it’s true: if I really respect someone and they’re doing cool stuff, I find it very sexy.
I’ve always seen kindness as really sexy. When I see guys put their money where their mouths are beyond what I call empathic, it’s being protective of people. I think it’s inherently masculine and sexy to step up and protect others. So, people who are outside of individualism and willing to do something about what they believe will be the ones that probably catch my eye.
What made you decide to be a Penthouse model and accept the Pet of the Month and the Pet of the Year?
Olstead: It was a no-brainer accepting Pet of the Month and POY 2024. I mean … that’s the dream. The way that Penthouse has treated me has made me feel like family, which created immense loyalty. I sort of came to them and told them basically my whole deal about sex workers’ rights. I wanted to write about the current state of affairs and educate the masses about the people for whom I am advocating. Having that opportunity was another reason why I fell in love with Penthouse. They’ve always believed in me.
In what way have they guided and uplifted your brand more than mainstream companies in the past?
Olstead: I’ve had more of a chance to collaborate in how I am presented and what feels authentic. More so than any other job I’ve been on, and I will say, more so than working in mainstream. At least for me, it has been different in adult. “Out there” you’ll find one person you have to answer to or one person that decides whether or not you’re right for the part. Now, I have many more opportunities to create and have a say when presenting myself.
How would you like people to experience you and your brand, and what kind of person do you want to be in the world?
Olstead: I think people don’t always know what to make of me when they meet me. Or rather, they have one kind of conceptualization of who I am, and then they get to see the other side. I guess the way I like to be experienced would be maybe like a flower – where people, the longer they get to know me, the deeper into my petals they get to go, the more they get to find out about me.
Protected at The POY 2024 Party
The POY 2024 achievement happens to be a big deal – around at least the adult world – and as you can see the celebrations can get quite festive. They do not get so raucous, however, that the big boss lets us risk copyright violations in the music. Executives have no sense of adventure.
What’s your greatest accomplishment, and what are you still hoping to accomplish?
Olstead: My most significant accomplishment? I am proud of myself for finishing my Master’s, and next year I’m hoping to apply for a PhD program. That definitely lives on my vision board for 2025. Initially, I was looking at a PhD specifically in human sexuality. After doing some research, however, I found only two campuses that offer that. That would mean either going to San Francisco or, I think, Philly. I’ll most likely pursue a PhD in social work, specifically organizing and figuring out how to make common objectives happen – you know, for our community as a whole.
What is the goal, and what inspires you and pushes you forward to get another degree?
Olstead: I think sex workers know better than anyone that oftentimes we have targets on our backs. There’s so much legislation, even beyond just decriminalization around sex work, that needs to be changed.
Specifically in Wisconsin, for example, you can still be charged with prostitution if you are under the age of 18. Many districts have reported that they have arrests for people who are under 18. However, they reported zero cases of human trafficking. That would be one example of how you know somebody who’s being trafficked and being exploited gets further exploited by the system. That was one component; another example would be de-banking. I personally lost two bank accounts last year. Most people outside of sex work don’t know that we face financial discrimination, such as getting PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App just shut down. You know, I wish that there were more people out there advocating for us. I think there are so many different ways to show up.
Tell me what’s on your bucket list, both off the clock and sexually.
Olstead: I used to have a little black book where I would write down all of the locations where I had sex … Oh, I know, have sex in a Tokyo love hotel!!
I read about one with mirrors on the floor and the ceiling, which I thought was sexy. Or, you know what, if they had a Neon Genesis Evangelion-themed room, I would have my little Asuka roleplay moment.
Regular life bucket list? I would like to write a memoir. That’s absolutely on my list. I’m also a big reader, so I guess writing a book and publishing it should be on my bucket list.
Tell me your favorite thing about a quickie.
Olstead: My favorite thing about a quickie has got to be the sense of urgency. The “I can’t keep my hands off you for a minute longer.”
And in your opinion, what does it mean to be good in bed?
Olstead: I’m gonna say communication, having an open line of communication where you can ask your partner if that feels good. Do you want me to go faster? Do you want me to touch you like this, or do you like it when I touch you like that? Even conversations around consent can be so sexy, and I feel like a lot of times it’s forgotten about, but asking somebody or saying that I’ve been thinking about doing this to you all day long, or I can’t stop thinking about when you did that thing to me. It can be such a fucking sexy conversation. I believe that communication is what leads to great sex.
Is there anything that you won’t do in bed? Any icks?
Olstead: I would say extreme humiliation.
What are the green and red flags when dating men?
Olstead: When a guy isn’t super individualistic, cares about the world, and cares about other people, it is my major green flag. A major red flag would be guys who aren’t nice or act like they aren’t interested. That’s such a turn-off for me. Negging does not work on me. If you act like you don’t care about me, I’m gonna take you at your word and move on.
What does self-worth mean to you? And how do you hold onto your own self-worth?
Olstead: That’s an excellent question. Showing yourself kindness, self-care, and appreciation of your own value helps you find and maintain your self-worth. I acknowledge my worth by doing something good for myself; then, I can externalize it. I have less to offer when I am doing too much and not taking care of myself.
What makes you happy?
Olstead: My dogs, dive bars, movies, friends, and great sex!
What’s your favorite holiday?
Olstead: Halloween!!
What’s one movie that you can watch over and over again?
Olstead: Showgirls. I probably watched it a couple dozen times in the last year.
The old one or the new one?
Olstead: The old one!
How important is foreplay in the bedroom?
Olstead: Very important. I think it starts before the bedroom. Such as sexy text messages, “I can’t wait to see you,” and “This is what I want to do to you.” I feel like it just ups the ante on the arousal.
Favorite position in the bedroom?
Olstead: Well, I love to be on top! My neck is super sensitive as well. When my neck gets caressed and kissed, that always puts me in the mood the fastest.
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened during sex?
Olstead: I was dating someone and broke his headboard the first time from riding on top! Oh, and with my college boyfriend, we were having sex in his car and I put my heel through his AC vent. He wasn’t even mad, green flag!
What is next for you? Do you have upcoming projects or upcoming releases?
Olstead: Well, I hope to do a little touring this next year. I want to make the most of my POY 2024 status while I can. I would love to visit the Penthouse clubs and do signing events with the fans. More advocacy work, of course, too.
Miss Renee, our newest Penthouse Pet of the Year, why don’t you give me a little sign-off so that fans can find you online?
Olstead: I’m Renee Olstead, the POY 2024. You can track me down through xorenee, which has all my social links!! Go to Instagram for a big gallery of photos of me in clothes. If you’re looking for a more naughty and expressive side of me, head to my X! The Penthouse family hopes you enjoyed this interview, and we thank you readers for your active support across all of our platforms. Until next time, Lacy Lennon signing out! Xoxo
The last thing one really needs to do in a Lacy Lennon POY 2024 announcement article would be to add more text in a footnote. That said, our earlier-mention event photographer did manage to grab – in a single photograph – the number one reason that everyone loves going to Pet events. You’ll see more about that soon on these pages, but now you’ll already have just a little more insight than everybody else. … Everybody likes being one of the cool kids, after all.
Let’s talk brass tacks. The rub. The skinny. The straight dope. The benefits, yo.
Yes, the military’s an excellent place for young (and young-ish) hard-chargers and gung-hos to make a difference, to put their ideals into practice, to serve their nation, and, of course, to blow shit up with big-ass guns. These are the usual reasons trotted out when people are asked why they joined up, and they are good reasons. Like many readers, I lived it, loved it, sometimes miss it, sometimes don’t, and know it’ll always be a fundamental part of whom I am going forward.
I especially miss the blowing-shit-up-with-big-ass-guns part. There’s nothing in this world like letting a Mark 19 rip ….
But there are other reasons service members enlist. There are other reasons they stay in, too, past their initial contract. These aren’t hidden reasons, exactly. More like layered, subtextual reasons. The benefits: medical, financial, college, all that jazz. They matter, and they matter a lot.
Now 2018 America seems hell-bent on returning workers to the labor underclass of the nineteenth century. At this rate, the American military might well be the last place where the word “pension” is a real goal and not a cruel joke.
The military is a bureaucracy, though, and like any bureaucracy, navigating it can be a maze. Many – too many – service members and veterans don’t know what they’ re entitled to and what they’ve earned through their service. Through my work and travels as a veteran-writer, and a few years working for a veterans’ national nonprofit organization, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “I wish I’d known about that earlier!” (often accompanied by a few F·Bombs for effect).
So. What exact benefits did service members and vets most appreciate? Which ones do they wish they’d learned about earlier? I asked some folks to share their wisdom.
Stephen, retired Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force
“Without a doubt, the VA Home Loan. I don’t how I didn’t know about it earlier, but it was my wife who pointed me to it a year out [from retirement]. It was huge, letting us direct the money saved for our post-military home to funds for retirement and our kids’ college. And can I say the VA was pretty good to deal with for this? I know. I couldn’t believe it either:’
I Can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “I wish I’d know about that earlier!”(often accompanied by a few F-Bombs for effect).
David, former Specialist, U.S. Army
“I didn’t know I qualified for VA medical health care. No one told me during TAP [transition assistance program]. I thought you had to do twenty years and get full retirement for it. I got out after four years. But because of our combat tour to Iraq, I do get VA medical. It’s not good but it’s better than the shit I had before. The mental health program at my VA has helped …. I still can’t believe no one at TAP told us this. Those two years [before finding out about qualifying for VA care] were fucking hard
Kate, active Sergeant, U.S. Army National Guard
“This is probably an obvious one, but the post-9/11 G.I. Bill is amazing I I’ve been able to go back to school and have my books and housing all covered. It’s crazy to me that more of us [veterans] don’t use it. I know school’s not for everybody, but this is here. We earned it. Set yourself up for success. Though I have some friends who aren’t using it so they can save it for their kids, someday. That’s amazing they have that [transferability] option?’
Marla, former Major, U.S. Army
“Not sure this counts as a benefit exactly, but when I was a captain and thinking about getting out, DOD [Department of Defense] was offering cash bonuses to extend. $30,000 for four more years in my subject field [transportation]. I weighed the pros and cons with my family, of course, and ultimately decided to do it. It allowed me to keep serving, and when I ended up separating four years later, my resume was that much stronger for civilian employers.
“That’s something I think more young people should know when considering the military. It’s not all infantry and tanks. A lot of these career fields do transfer over to the civilian world. Mine did. Day one of my civilian job, I was 33 years old but had more experience and subject-matter knowledge than people ten years older, who’d been with this company for twenty years. It’s not just about patriotism. There are practical benefits, too, that help us as individuals, and help communities as a whole, from what we’ve learned and know.”
Glen, former Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
“You mean other than being a Marine the rest of my life? [Makes woofing sound to signify his Devil Dog-nessJ Free dental, I guess. They fixed my teeth. Not an easy fix. I looked gnarly before. Like a wombat or some shit. Now I got that straight-teeth shine.”
Terance, active Ensign, U.S. Navy
“1 just joined the Navy myself, but I grew up a military brat. Both parents were in. I swore I’d never be like them … but after college, I was like, ‘Now what?’ The job market out there is crazy. And my dad, he retired from the military-I’m looking at him, mid-forties, already on a second career, getting a retirement check every month. It’s a hard life, but it’s a good life. A fulfilling life. And my dad told me when I commissioned, be smart, work hard, and the Navy will look after you. No Fortune 500 Company does that. They may say it, but they don’t mean it. The Navy really means it.”
By no means are the benefits mentioned above comprehensive. I’d encourage any service members, veterans, or family members reading this to look into what’s available to you or yours. Whatever it is, it’s been earned. Utilize it. Check out military.com/benefits and explore.va.gov for more information. [Hopefully there will still be someone around to help. -Ed.]
Matt Gallagher is a U.S. Army veteran of Iraq and the author of the novel Youngblood (Atria/Simon & Schuster). We feature his work here as often as he lets us, and we appreciate it every time. … Full disclosure, we honestly schedule this piece well before the current administration decided to kneecap the entire Veterans Administration as a department. Maybe “go fast and break stuff” works better with actual stuff rather than human beings. Who knows?
Ten years after launching her career on the cover of Penthouse Magazine, Kenna James has a lot to celebrate. In commemoration of her 10th year in the industry, we sat down with the ‘16 Pet of the Year to talk career, co-stars, and what it’s like on top.
It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since you first appeared on the cover of Penthouse’s February ‘15 issue. How did your journey into adult begin? How did you decide that the adult industry was the right place for you?
Ms. James: So funny enough, I was actually camming when I first heard about the industry, I always knew it was there obviously, but I never really considered it a viable option until an agent approached me on my webcams one night and offered me the opportunity. I was like — this is how girls get trafficked, I’m not doing that! Then I started talking to him more, I did my homework. I found out it was legit — he was an actual agent. So I considered the option. I made the decision to go ahead and try. Then got scared and canceled — right before my trip!
You almost passed up becoming a performer?
Ms. James: Well, it’s such a big decision. Once you’re out there, you’re out there and it doesn’t go back. The reason I got into the industry was because of Penthouse. [The agent] came back to me after I was like, “Hey, I’m gonna put a hold on this” and he goes, “I sent out your images and Penthouse wants to make you a Pet”. I didn’t really know what that meant at the time. So I went to talk about it with a few friends of mine. They were like, “Do you know what that means?” I didn’t. They had to explain it. That was why I took my first leap out to LA, almost 10 years ago.
What was it like after you know, you started shooting? You mentioned it was a big decision. Like, was it a conversation that you had with your parents?
Ms. James: No, I didn’t tell my parents until after!
What was that conversation like?
Ms. James: Well, I did a parody and I knew my parents liked the show, but I didn’t know what their porn habits were, so I just went ahead and said, “Hey, guys, there’s this movie. Don’t watch it. I’m in it. By the way, this is what I do.
Did you have any mentors in the industry when you were first getting started?
Ms. James: There’s been a few. Sam [Philips]. The first time I met Sam was in her old apartment in Hollywood. She was set to be my chaperone for Sturgis in 2016 for Penthouse Pet of the Year. I wanted to meet her first to make sure everything’s cool and make sure we vibe well. … I went over to her house and we hit it off pretty quick but it wasn’t until we actually got to Sturgis that our friendship solidified. We had the best week together hanging out at all the events, hanging out at the bar, just hanging out in our rooms together. And now she’s been my best friend for the last eight years almost?
Was she helpful when you decided to make the transition from Pet to performer?
Ms. James: Sam gave me a place to stay after I left my agency in 2016. She gave me advice on how to contact people, how to hold myself during business meetings, and gave me a place to crash. She’s been like a mother figure to me more so than any other person in my life. Really.
Were there any other people that helped you when you first entered the industry?
Ms. James: Dani Daniels. She’s a phenomenal performer. She was one of the first girls I ever worked with — actually the first girl I ever worked with in the industry. She gave me such helpful advice and made me feel so good about myself and what we did. James Dean was actually another one, he met with me at a Starbucks for a couple hours in California. Just to teach me how to brand myself and what branding really was, like, how to have longevity, how to have a career that’s strong.
Now that you’re an established performer, what advice would you give to somebody who’s new?
Ms. James: Don’t do anything that you don’t want to do. Don’t let anybody push you in any direction you don’t want to go. It’s okay to take your time. Just explore yourself and be comfortable. I always went to like other performers that I knew [for advice]. Like, “Hey, I’m having this issue.” I find that’s still where a lot of people go. Like, if you’re staying in the model house, or you have close friends that have been in for a while, we typically tend to try to gravitate to [new performers] and tell them, “Hey, this is how you do it.” Especially if I see someone younger on set that is newer to the industry. Like, “Hey, do you have any questions?”. I try to help as many people as I can and I know a lot of people in my position also do.
It sounds like performers really show up for one another.
Ms. James: There’s so much discrimination, so much bias toward us. People don’t really understand you know, how our industry works or how we work or that we are really just normal people that choose to do sex work.
What do you feel are the biggest misconceptions about adult performers?
Ms. James: I think the biggest thing that we have is that people think we’re just dirty, filthy people that will do anything. When in reality, we’re one of the cleanest groups of people you’ll ever meet in your life. Fourteen-day standard testing, blood and urine swabs. Most people that aren’t in the industry haven’t had a single STD test in their life. I mean, I think that’s probably one of the biggest things. That people think that we’ll do anything for money, but in reality, no. … I have such a list of things I won’t do.
It seems like there’s been a lot of change to keep up with in the industry, too. How have you seen the adult industry transform in the last ten years?
Ms. James: Oh, God, it changed massively. Honestly, it goes back to COVID. That was really the big change. Before you were really focused on studio work and, you know, trying to build there. Now that you have all of these methods, OnlyFans, LoyalFans, or whatever. Now you have an avenue to create your own content. So now not only are you really kind of working with studios to stay relevant, you’re now creating all of your own content. So you’re working twice as much if you keep up the same progress. I’ve noticed a lot of girls have slipped off from working studios as much, and are really trying to market their own image, which is also great.
It sounds like a lot of the mainstream work that you’re doing now, serves more to support and advertise?
Ms. James: Pretty much. You just got to use that as an avenue to like keep your fans going and keep that audience coming in to get new eyeballs on you.
So when performers are going from a mainstream set to shooting their own content, it seems like there’s a lot of work involved. Now you’re the performer AND the cameraman, the lighting guy, you’re booking the location…
Ms. James: You’re booking talent, if you don’t want to [do a content trade with another performer]. You’re your own studio, basically at this point. Yeah. It’s been a hell of an adjustment for me personally.
What would you say are the most challenging parts of being a content creator?
Ms. James: Consistency. Consistency is the hardest part for me, because I’m still trying to, I guess, in a way, hold on to the old part of the industry. I like shooting for companies. I like shooting with studios. I like doing fun projects, everything. But I also know that I have to keep up the stock side of revenue now. So in between all of that, you’re scheduling content, sometimes I’ll hire somebody [to shoot], sometimes I won’t. Sometimes it’s really good, sometimes I just put [the camera] on the tripod and we just go.
Do you have any advice for staying motivated and keeping up the consistency that’s required?
Ms. James: I just remember what my fans tell me in those moments. They’re like, “We just like you. We don’t really care what it is.” You’re always gonna have certain people that are like, “Hey, we like it like this. We like this way or we like it this way.” But the core group of my people — like I’m a very natural person, I don’t wear a lot of makeup. Generally, if I get away with it, I don’t wear makeup at all. I don’t really dress up all that much. I just like to chill. I’ve really tried to incorporate that into my content. So I don’t have to stress and be like, I have to put on this whole glammed up version of me. In reality, here’s what I am. Love me or like me, or don’t. It’s cool either way.
What’s it like meeting your fans in real life?
Ms. James: I love interacting with my fans. The majority of them are such wonderful people and they’ve been fans for several, several years. I’ve seen them consistently at AVN, at XBIZ, at feature shows. I really love seeing them, but by the end of the [event], I’m also so exhausted.
Do you have any funny stories from on-set that fans don’t know? You don’t have to name names.
Ms. James: I actually do have one! There was this guy and it was the first time we’d ever worked together — the only time I think we’ve ever worked together actually. We start going at it, and it’s literally five minutes, and he’s like, “Oh! Oh! Oh!”. He comes and then he goes, “Alright, I’m good!” He just wipes it off, and we just go. I’ve had moments where guys pull out, they’re like, “I need a minute”. I’ve had guys pull out and like, full off smack their fucking dick just to [keep themselves from climaxing]. But I love it. Those moments are honestly, like, “Oh, yeah, I’m so good. I know. I know”.
Well, you certainly know what you’re doing! What else do you love about what you do?
Ms. James: I love the freedom that my job gives me to do anything I like. I get to make my own schedule, I get to go and do my own things, I get to decide who I want to work with, who I don’t want to work with. I don’t feel like you get that in most other jobs.
Is there a specific type of content that you like to make the most?
Ms. James: Anything passionate. I like to really incorporate what I like into my content — and that’s just passion.
Obviously there are many places one can find Kenna, so we shall settle for Instagram (and remind you — at least as of right now — of her famous boyfriend too). Honestly, wherever you find Ms. James, you will be happy you took the time. In a land overwhelmed with fakes, it can be inspirational to hang out with someone real for at least awhile. … Of course you can also catch a pic of Kenna at this most recent Expo in Las Vegas if you look carefully. She had on much more hilarious shorts on a different day, but the bosses here would not let us use that photograph. Bosses are always way too concerned about getting sued, y’know?
We know that we have covered the 2023 Pet of the Year announcement, but apparently we had such a good time with that we somehow completely missed the magazine profile of our lovely lass – a fact the editor here ever-so-sweetly pointed out recently. Naturally we agreed to fix that real speedy quicko, and thus we bow with both reverence and pride (the first for us, the second for Tahlia, obviously).
The (Big) 2023 Penthouse Pet of the Year Achievement
Tahlia Paris has carved out a successful career in modeling, but our 2023 Penthouse Pet of the Year also values staying grounded and true to herself. From being named Penthouse Pet of the Month back in February, 2022, to sharing her journey with her fans, Tahlia has always been real about her experiences.
We caught up with recently crowned queen to learn more about her career, her personal life, and the advice she has for those looking to follow in her footsteps.
Tahlia’s career has been full of milestones, but she says winning 2023 Penthouse Pet of the Year was a real highlight. “It was an amazing moment for me. I’ve always loved the art of nude photography, and being recognized for it was incredible. It was a dream come true.”
2023 Pet of the Year Tahlia Paris
For Tahlia, the award has never been simply about recognition. Rather, as with life in general for her, Tahlia revels in doing something she truly loves while being able to share that with others.
So where does our 2023 Pet of the Year excel?
Tahlia considers her biggest strength to be empathy. “I’m a really empathetic person. I care about others, and I try to be there for people as much as I can. Being kind and understanding is something I value a lot.”
On the flipside, Tahlia offers, “I do think I can be too forgiving sometimes, though. I want to see the good in people, but I’ve learned the hard way that not everyone deserves that kind of grace.”
How does Tahlia balance work and life?
Even though she remains dedicated to her career, Tahlia knows the importance of self-care. “If I could change anything about myself, I’d probably focus more on myself. I’m always checking in on other people, but I forget to take care of me sometimes.”
But one thing that always brings her back to center? Her family and her dogs. “They’re the best part of my life. They make me feel grounded and keep me happy.”
When it comes to hobbies, Tahlia has a soft spot for Fortnite on her Xbox and MySims on her Nintendo Switch. “And I know I’m going to get some hate for this, but I love Xbox! Sorry, PlayStation fans!” she laughs. She’s also passionate about sports, especially hockey. “The Las Vegas Golden Knights are my team. I’ve got to rep my city!”
Highlights not Technically Related to Being the 2023 Penthouse Pet of the Year
When asked, Tahlia revealed that favorite career moments came when she DJ’d at the Flirt Summit in Vietnam. “It was such an incredible experience. The energy was amazing, and I’ll always remember that trip. Penthouse gave me the chance to do something I’ll never forget.”
Tahlia also finds herself currently obsessed with SZA. “Her voice is so soothing, and I just love her vibe. Her music is everything right now.”
Tahlia’s Advice for Future Pets
For anyone thinking about joining the modeling world or becoming a Penthouse Pet, Tahlia’s advice reigns as profound in its simplicity: Be yourself. “You don’t need to wear a ton of makeup or have extensions to be beautiful. Confidence in yourself will always be what really matters. And if you’re thinking about becoming a Pet, just reach out. I’ve had a lot of conversations with people who want to get into this industry, and the other Pets are super supportive too. We’re a family here, and we’re always happy to help.”
She adds, “It can feel intimidating, but it’s all part of the journey. The Pets have been nothing but kind to me, and they’re here to help you succeed.”
Having completed our due diligence in providing the magazine presentation of Tahlia in their polished editorial fashion, we wanted to drop in a couple of Q&A topics that got skipped for space (we presume). Consider these more directly the 2023 Penthouse Pet of the Year in her own words.
Any books or tv shows captivating your interest lately?
I’m currently reading the A Court of Thorns and Roses series; they are amazing. Fairy smut is so hot! … As for streaming, I’m currently obsessed with The 100 on Netflix. I almost finished every single episode in a month.
Do you prefer texting or face-to-face conversations?
Usually texting. I’m kind of a loner and introvert at times. I really enjoy being home alone with my dogs, cozy in bed watching tv.
Why did you want to win this title?
I wanted to win 2023 Pet of the Year because not only do I consider Penthouse an amazing magazine – that I have looked up to since before I can remember – but also I have found Penthouse to be very ‘family’ oriented. If you know me, you know that in my world family is everything. … We all look out for each other and care and really make efforts to stay involved. It’s such an honor to be able to represent such an amazing company who looks out for me and everyone else as the woman of the year, so to speak
Oh! One more bit of due diligence: 2023 Pet of the Year Tahlia Paris on Instagram. … Whew diligence can be really hard, y’know? Regarding that confidence thing Tahlia talks about? As with another famous category, it may be hard to define, but you know it when you see it.
Las Vegas has always been one of those places where every sense comes alive the moment you arrive, and my weekend at the Adult Entertainment Expo (AVN 2025) was a shimmering testament to that very magic. I touched down on a bright Thursday afternoon at exactly 3 p.m., rolling into valet with flashy cars all around — limos, custom-wrap Jeeps, even an iridescent Rolls-Royce or two. The desert sun bounced off each hood, making the entire arrival feel like a scene from a blockbuster movie. With my suitcase in hand (plus a little teddy friend tucked safely inside), I made my way through the resort’s buzzing lobby.
As the elevator whooshed upwards, the energy of the city seemed to follow me, echoing in my ears even after the doors slid shut. Once I reached my room, I couldn’t resist collapsing onto the plush bed — there’s something about crisp white sheets after a day of travel that feels heavenly. But my rumbling stomach soon reminded me that a quick refuel was in order. Since there was no room service at the time, I headed down to the lobby to grab a massive slice of pizza and a little gelato. The gooey cheese dripped in that oh-so-perfect way, each indulgent bite making the long trip feel instantly worth it. When I finally made it back upstairs, the hours that followed were blissfully lazy: pajamas on, curtains drawn, and a cuddle session with my beloved teddy bear. It was a nap for the books — exactly what I needed before diving into the extravaganza that awaited.
Time for an AVN 2025 Sneak Peek
Friday kicked off bright and early with a quick trip to the gym. I know, I know, it sounds ambitious, but there’s something about Vegas energy that makes you want to stay on your toes — literally. The gym was surprisingly busy, filled with everyone from professional trainers to half-awake travelers. Afterward, I grabbed a light breakfast of fresh fruit, tea, and an omelet to set a balanced tone for the rest of the day.
Post-breakfast, I headed back to my room for some “glam mode” to get properly AVN 2025 prepared. Brushes fanned out across the counter, sparkly rhinestones at the ready, and setting spray on standby for that long-lasting finish. Once I was satisfied with my reflection, I made my way downstairs — conveniently, the expo was in the very same hotel. Even in the short walk across the property, I could feel the excitement humming through the corridors.
Inside the expo, it felt like stepping into another world. One minute I was passing a row of whimsical vending machines promising mysterious goodies, the next I was dodging stray rhinestones that had popped off someone’s sparkling outfit. Life-size dolls, extravagant costumes, and an endless river of fans and creators spread across the convention hall. The place had a kind of electric charge, buzzing with laughter, camera clicks, and excited chatter.
I browsed countless booths, snapping up a few novelty items that caught my eye. Before I knew it, it was time for my scheduled interview with Penthouse — though it wasn’t at a booth at all. We met in the hotel lobby, where they’d set up a casual meet-and-greet area rather than a formal pop-up studio. It turned out to be a perfect spot: plush chairs, mellow lighting, and an easy vibe. We talked about my experiences, upcoming projects, and the general whirlwind that is AVN in Las Vegas. Their questions were thoughtful yet fun, and the conversation flowed like a perfectly scripted scene.
Afterward, I refueled with a quick snack (sweet potato fries and a fruit smoothie) and headed out to continue the day’s adventures. As evening approached, it was time to trade the bustling expo floor for my first AVN 2025 night out at Hakkasan, located in the MGM. On the way to my rideshare, at the Virgin Hotel entrance, stilt walkers in glittering carnival-style outfits greeted visitors. It was a snapshot moment: glitzy costumes, towering performers, and me weaving through the crowd in my heels.
A short drive later, the MGM buzzed with energy: weekend travelers lining up for clubs, restaurants, and just about everything else Vegas has to offer. Hakkasan was in full swing, the neon swirling over a packed dance floor. My heart practically jumped at the sight of the Penthouse Pet of the Year, gleaming under the lights and all smiles as her entourage toasted to her success. The night became a swirling blend of music and dancing, neon lasers and confetti bursts. By the time I made it back to my room, I was thankful for those cool, crisp sheets — and my teddy, of course.
An AVN 2025 Intermission
Pre-Opening at the AVN 2025 Convention
Just in case you have never been able to attend a show yourself, we took a quick time-lapse of AVN 2025 inside the convention room from just before the doors open to the public. Honestly had we done this much later, you would have just been looking at a sea of butts for 30 seconds. People have a really good time at these AVN conventions, so it gets crowded. But happy and crowded is always fun. Angry and crowded might require a Presidential Pardon, as we have learned.
Back to Krystal’s AVN 2025
Saturday was the big day, the main event that had been circled on my calendar for months. I woke up with that telltale mix of butterflies and adrenaline, knowing the day would be nonstop. After a warm shower, I did my own hair and makeup — no glam team in tow, just me, a mirror, and a bit of determination. Satisfied with my final look, I hustled back to the expo space to set up for the day. There were no big banners this time around, but I had plenty of magazines, merch, and little freebies to line up. Before long, a queue started to form. Within minutes, it snaked around the convention floor, filled with amazing fans eager to chat, snap photos, and catch up on my recent work. Their genuine excitement — and the stories they share — always leaves me deeply humbled and energized.
After a solid stretch of meeting and greeting, I took a much-needed break in the “model lounge,” a curtained-off area reserved for creators to recharge. AVN 2025 outdid themselves here too, as they provided a mini feast of Mexican delights — tacos, fresh fruit, and plenty of iced drinks — laid out on linen-covered tables. A quick shoulder massage turned out to be the perfect remedy for hours of waving, signing, and posing. As I sat there, nibbling on a taco, my mind leapt ahead to the red carpet event happening that evening. A jolt of nerves collided with excitement, and I scurried back to my room to start the transformation.
I had exactly one hour — just one tiny hour — to shift from “booth-ready” to “red carpet siren.” Even though I didn’t have a dedicated glam squad, I knew the look I wanted: a form-fitting dress that shimmered under the lights and a vintage-inspired hairstyle. With some strategic pinning, a dust of highlight, and just the right shade of lipstick, I was ready. I slipped into my dress, checked my reflection twice, and hurried out the door.
The AVN 2025 Awards Show
The red carpet outside the awards venue was aglow. Photographers lined both sides, flashes sparking like firecrackers on the Fourth of July. I walked forward, heart pounding, grateful I’d perfected my walk in heels throughout the day. The entire carpet felt electric — performers and personalities hugging, posing, and beaming under the spotlight. Once inside, the curtains rose, and the show erupted with a stunning display of lights, dancers, and none other than Jason Derulo belting out crowd-favorite tracks. The performances were a spectacle — a blur of music, and dramatic stage décor. Each awards segment brought heartfelt thank-yous, comedic moments, and the occasional emotional tear. One of my close friends took home a coveted “podcast winner” title, and I jumped up, cheering with an enthusiasm that made my cheeks hurt from smiling.
By the end of the show, the entire auditorium was on its feet, roaring and applauding. The energy spilled out into the corridors, where everyone lingered, congratulating winners, snapping group selfies, and planning after-parties. My phone buzzed incessantly with texts and tags from friends who had followed the livestream. By that point, my feet were screaming for relief, but I was running on pure excitement.
Eventually, a hush fell over the crowd as people trickled off, either seeking the next party or turning in for the night. I had an early flight the next morning, so I chose the latter, heading upstairs for one last meltdown of suitcase packing. The bed became an explosion of magazines, sparkly attire, and freebies from the expo. I even found a few extra rhinestones clinging to my shoes — souvenirs from the weekend’s chaos. A quick check around the room ensured nothing was left behind. I took a final peek at the Las Vegas skyline, glittering in the distance, said a sleepy goodnight, and dozed off with teddy in tow.
Morning came faster than I’d have liked, and the day was all about that final hustle: lugging suitcases, returning room keys, and checking that my phone charger was actually in my bag. One last glance around the lobby, and I was off. The swirl of the last few days — cars glinting in the sunshine, the gym, the expo’s neon glow, that spectacular award show — raced through my mind as I waited for my flight. There’s something about Vegas that always leaves you both exhausted and exhilarated, and this trip was no exception. I settled into my seat on the plane, closed my eyes, and smiled at the memories.
Another adventure wrapped, with endless AVN 2025 stories to share — and countless rhinestones left behind.
A Mini AVN 2025 Photo Gallery
You can find all sorts of photos of the pretty people at the convention on all sorts of sites, so we decided to offer a bit more of an eclectic finale to our time at the show this year. At least one of us her can verify that AVN has set the standard for these conventions and awards shows for at least 35 years now — meaning a more than decade+ longer than many of these participants have even been alive. Excited people never change, though, and we have yet to leave a convention without feeling rejuvenated and honestly very comfortable with our industry progression. The combination of Vegas and AVN history never fails to satisfy, and we thank them publicly for our access here. You just never know what you might see at “AVN” as we call it. You might consider taking your vacation in January next year.
Coquettish camgirl Miss Marylin captivates her online audience with her mesmerizing gaze, luminous smile and fantastic figure. The sexy performer’s sparkling personality is on full display whenever she strikes a pose or engages with her fans—and her admirers praise her irresistibly sexy nature.
It may be hard to believe, but marvelous Marylin considers herself a shy girl. However, the ravishing Russian doesn’t deny her curiosity for passion, love and sensuality—and fortunately for us, the camera is there to capture every stunning side of her.
The beguiling brunette tells Penthouse she feels like it’s her “calling” to work with professionals in the adult industry, and if her photos are any indication, we’d say she’s a natural!
We cannot be responsible for the editorial — let’s go with flair — utilized in the magazine proper, but we can take advantage of having no space limitations by making things a lot more fun out here on the web.
We can get the basics out of the way:
Height: 5’3″ Measurements: 34C-24-34 Native Country: Russia
Now the magazine did deign to allow everyone limited insight into Miss Marylin, so we can share those.
What are your pet peeves?
I dislike indifference, cruelty, envy and hypocrisy.
What are your biggest turn-ons?
I like a man who is confident in bed, and I also enjoy the scent of expensive perfume on skin.
What’s your favorite sex position?
That would have to be 69. You could say I have excellent taste!
What was your most remarkable sexual experience?
Definitely a threesome with two men. It was double the pleasure for me!
What’s your personal fetish?
I get off on being watched while I’m having sex.
Now of course, Miss Marylin gets to teach us even more. (Digital rocks.)
Educational Background?
I graduated from college and am now attending university in a financial specialty.
Goals or Aspirations?
For now I’m interested in working with professionals in the adult industry exploring something new. I know how to work hard at something, and I feel this my calling.
What is your favorite fantasy?
Boss and Secretary.
How does Miss Marylin fill her spare time?
Reading books, drawing, watching movies, going to the gym, and swimming.
When are you the happiest?
I’m happy when I get enough sleep.
What gets you in trouble?
Malicious and irrational people.
Nobody needs to explain the multitude of problems currently facing Russia, but it brings a little hope to know that some things may help it return to a reputation of beauty. Miss Marylin may turn out to be one of its more precious natural resources. … Until then, you might look up Miss Marylin at Flirt4Free and talk to her for yourself. Odds seem strong that you’ll find her fascinating too.
Height: 5’0″ Measurements: 36C-26-36 Hometown: Modena, Italy Fun Fact: Wants to open her own medical clinic.
Quick Facts
Languages spoken: Italian, English and French Hidden skill: “I’m really good at math.” What she wears to bed: “I usually sleep naked.” Favorite types of music: Classical and hip-hop Most daring thing she’s done: “Driven a racing car.” Preferred sports: Tennis, swimming and skiing Favorite way to relax: “A long walk in a breathtaking place.” Celebrity crush: “Tom Cruise. … I love that he does his own stunts.”
According to the Eleonora Bertoli Editors
Elegant Eleonora Bertoli is a sensation both online and off. This issue’s stunning Social Premier has attracted over one million followers and counting with her intriguing posts and pulse-quickening pics. The Italian-born beauty tells Penthouse she adores her job as a model because it gives her the freedom to travel the globe and make her own schedule. But the glamorous gal also loves her peaceful hometown of Modena, where she enjoys “long horseback rides in the countryside and the smell of freshly cut hay in summer.”
As much as the ambitious influencer delights in her current occupation, she’d like to pursue a career in medicine and one day open her own private clinic.
When it comes to the perfect partner, Eleonora prefers someone who is charming and caring—and whose drive to succeed matches her own. She’s fond of romantic dinners on the beach and dreams of endless massages. But she admits her adventurous spirit and hunger for excitement can get her in trouble—of the best kind.
According to Eleonora Bertoli Herself
What are some jobs you have held in the past?
I have always worked as a model.
What’s your favorite food?
My grandma’s lasagna.
What is the most exciting place you’ve ever had sex?
On the top of a mountain.
When are you the happiest?
With my dog.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?
Endless massages.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Being a Graduate in medicine and having opened my private clinic
What gets you in trouble?
Adventure and Excitement.
Obviously one becomes a “Social Premier” for Penthouse by contacting us in hopes of expanding their social influence. As we mentioned at the top, we do no always have this section in every magazine, but we are happy to help when we can. You can find Eleonora Bertoli on Twitter, Instagram, and possibly Tik-Tok again some day. (Well, maybe. … Who knows? Probably. … But maybe not.… The Chinese baffle us.) At least now we can contact Eleonora ourselves to find Italian and French translations for, “YIPEE!”
We’re here with Renee Olstead at AEE, and it’s your very first AEE so let’s start there. How has that experience been?
Renee: It’s been really incredible so far. I feel like there’s so much to see. I’ve had a chance to get out on the expo floor to see a lot of interesting things, see people that I know, kind of learn more about what’s changing in the industry and meet some incredible people.
I’ve been interviewing people as well. I’ve had a chance to sit down with a few of my fellow Pets, which has been great. Penthouse is very much a family, and I’m getting a chance to really get to know some of these amazing women.
Who have you gotten to hang out with so far?
Renee: My first interview was with Leya Tanit from Pineapple Support, which is an organization that’s close to my heart. They help subsidize mental health care and provide free care for people who are within the industry that need support.
Interviewing Pets has been awesome. So far, I started with a series on sex work that you know has been on Penthouse.com. I’ve also had a chance to write an in-print feature, but in my exploration of sex work, I’m talking to performers and talking to the Pets that I’ve had a chance to sit down with already.
It’s just really interesting to clarify what exactly it is that performers need and what they face in the industry. A lot of assumptions are made about people that choose to be an adult entertainer or choose to do nude modeling. People just make a lot of assumptions in general about everyone, but Pineapple has a focus particular to the industry, making sure that people have support when they need it – when they’re dealing with doxing or dealing with unnecessary stigma that sometimes comes along with our work.
It’s a really important cause. I’m glad I got to sit down with Leya here about some of the things that they have in mind for the future. I’m meeting with Pet of the Year Kenna James and Pet of the Year Lacy Lennon later today.
We love to hear it. Let’s dive more about your schooling and what you’re doing with it, because you mentioned Pineapple Support, and I don’t think we went over that too much in your Pet of the Month interview.
Renee Olstead: I did get my Master’s in Clinical Psychology. I’ve had an amazing last few years. Working with Penthouse has been a big part of that, but also just in deciding to exit the entertainment industry in the roles that I did, which was sort of more television-oriented work. I played a teenager for a very, very long time, I think I played a 15 year-old for about ten years.
It has been nice to explore more and more of myself and to just learn about this entire industry. I find it fascinating, and I’ve been such a fan for a long time. I’ve been collecting what I call my “vintage smut” for over a decade. So finally getting a chance to move from a fan and admirer to Cover Girl was a pretty big deal for me.
How much has your collection grown since you joined the industry? Do you think it’s exploded since then or has the growth just been steady?
Renee: I get a lot of crazy ideas, and one crazy idea I had recently was that I wanted to learn about home renovation. So, I got a I got a fixer house, and I decided I wanted to turn it into my vintage smut palace.
I would say that there was an explosion. However, I would say it was explosion with a purpose. I wasn’t just buying things because I was on a crazy tear, but decorating that spot and having a wall full of vintage covers, it’s been fun. But I probably shouldn’t be allowed on eBay anymore.
I think it would be pretty irresponsible at this point.
Sometimes you need a little break.
Renee: My wallet would prefer it. I could spend everything on Etsy and eBay.
Do you just buy artwork and covers, or do you try and look for old merchandise? I think Penthouse has some old puzzles hidden in the abyss somewhere that we get people asking about sometimes.
Renee: [gasps] Oh, I thought were going to say you had access to one. If it went missing, you would know who to suspect. I should be more subtle. No, I have a lot of vintage Penthouse stuff. I have some vintage Penthouse clothing items as well.
It’s not just the girls, it’s also the merch and the idea of the brand. It just adds that extra sexiness. A lot of times too if I get vintage magazines and I really, really love a shot – uh-oh this sounds terrible to say – but sometimes I will take an X-Acto knife and take her out and frame her.
I have a lot of those in my house. And currently, I also have them going around the crown molding of my dining room – all naked lady. So yeah, I find I’m always finding new places to put cute naked ladies.
[laughs] Let’s talk about your hair.
Renee: My hair!
For your Pet of the Month shoot you had black hair.
Renee: I did. I was having a bad girl moment.
Ooh, okay…
Renee: Not say that I’ve gotten any more conservative. [laughs]
But you’re still a fiery redhead now.
Renee: Now I’m a naughty girl. I was a bad girl then. Now, I’m a naughty girl. It’s just that I do enjoy playing around with my hair. And I think a lot of that was from being on TV for so long. When you’re on a television show, you are not allowed to change your hair without permission from the showrunners.
And because of that, I had the same haircut and color for so long and I couldn’t change it. I think, now that I’ve left that side of the industry, I’ve been going a little wild in more ways than one.
For the people that may not know, what was the show?
Renee: I was on a few shows. My first show was on UPN, and that was a very short run that would only make it six episodes. As for my longest running shows, I was on one that went for four years called “Still Standing,” which was the CBS sitcom. And then I was on another show called “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” for another five.
In between when I was filming, I was also on Warner Brothers. I was singing at that time too.
So, you already had an album?
Renee: I did, and I would tour on hiatus. I have always stayed pretty busy. I was under Warner Brothers, and I signed under David Foster and put two albums out and toured the world here and there while on hiatus. You do get a little window to get out and tour an album.
I’m going to look on YouTube and find that 40’s film noir song that you did. That’s awesome.
Renee: Coincidentally, we were talking about that last night. … Something else that’s interesting about some of my music is that when I shot music videos, like the one I did for “Sleepwalk,” I storyboarded the whole concept. I went on eBay and bought the duvets and all of the things that were in the room. I dressed the hotel room myself.
I’d put it on the site. You’d probably be embarrassed, but I absolutely would.
Renee: Please, you have my consent. And it is on record. But yeah, I really enjoy that creative aspect. I also edited that music video which in retrospect, looking at where I am now, kind of makes a lot of sense. I do a great deal of content creation now, and I take it really seriously.
When I’m shooting a video or releasing photos that I’ve shot myself, I want the people that get them to love it. I want every shot to be great. I don’t want there to be a ton of dead space. I want to create the fantasy that it feels like … God, it really seems to have such a handle on me, doesn’t it?
Even with all of my collections, it just feels like you’re entering another world.
It’s rare for a person to be able to art direct themselves. Because when we look at ourselves, we’re backwards. We’re in a mirror. We don’t know what we look like. Everyone else knows what we look like. So, to be able to take that, you know and art direct…
Renee: Thank you. Thank you.
Speaking of art direction, you have redone some of your favorite Penthouse covers.
Renee: Yes! And I still have one more that I need to edit, but I’ve been busy. That one specifically was a dominatrix on the cover. And then there were two maids. I shot myself as the maid – or technically I had a photographer – but I wanted to shoot as the maid and as the Dom, then put it all together with Photoshop to recreate that cover. That one hasn’t come out yet, but I have had a chance to recreate a couple of my favorite covers. Seeing as I am such a fan, it can be great when you get a chance to step into that fantasy world. I am super detail oriented. Granted, sometimes I go a little nuts on making sure the hair is perfect, but as long as I nail a couple of the reference shots, then I can kind of expand from that and shoot a bit more to include.
It’s like a set, honestly. It has been really fun. I still pinch myself. Penthouse is a brand that was … just such a high goal, something just so iconic. It’s crazy to wake up and know that I’m part of that legacy now.
You’re not only part of the Pet legacy, you’re also part of the contributor legacy. You are now in print with Penthouse in more ways than one. [laughs]
Renee: It’s truly a dream come true. I mean, it sounds like I’m, I’m pandering to your affections right now but…
[laughs] It’s ok. We’ll take it.
Renee: Okay. My experience with Penthouse has been absolutely incredible. When I did my test meeting – I don’t know if this happens often – but I might be one of the only Pets to come with a full storyboarded concept for what my dream shoot would look like. I had a Pinterest board. I had a vision board as well, that I pitched. The team was nice enough to really help me bring that to fruition and make that a reality.
From that moment, I just feel like my experience with Penthouse has been one where make such a point of really bringing who the model is into the shoot. They even do this while also allowing me to contribute to the site and talk about the things that are important to me – specifically in my sex work series where I talk about, you know, “Hey, what it what it really is like to be an adult creator?” and “Here are the things that we deal with here,” the things that we’re dealing with that may not be as common as someone might guess if they’re not in the industry.
There’s so much to appreciate, and I’ve been very well cared for. I feel like I’m really part of something, part of a family. And I don’t mean that in a trite, cheesy way, but it’s been incredible. I’ve worked for a few different adult outlets, and it’s something that I have found very unique to Penthouse.
Wow, thank you so much for saying that! So, what’s in the future for you? When is the book coming out?
Renee: Writing would be something that I want to continue to develop. I’ve been finding my voice, I think, and exploring the topics I feel really connected to. How that turns into a book we shall see.
I also have the option of making an album. That’s in the mix too. … Being a movie star. …
I’m going to keep shooting. What else am I doing? … I guess the big thing that I will reveal is I’m hoping to start my Ph.D. applications this year. So that’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a while.
We’ll see. We’ll see where I get in. But school is expensive, so I doubt I will be putting my clothes on any time soon.
… Got to pay for it somehow.
Renee: I know. Those books ain’t cheap.
Better than loans. What’s a Ph.D. cost?
Renee: I think it’s in the six figures annually for sure. … I need to do a little bit more research. At this point. I’ve requested information packets from a few different places. Specifically, if I go the sexuality route, there’s only a couple of schools that offer that program. Otherwise, I could go social work or psychology.
I know I don’t want to do Psy.D. I definitely want to do Ph.D., but these are all things that are kind of up in the air right now, so we’ll see what makes the most sense.
Initials after your name are fun.
Renee: Yeah, well I like reading. I like learning. Specifically, if it’s related to a topic that I really connect with, I am a voracious reader. I think my record was … There was one quarter during my Master’s, I think I read 15 books on top of the reading that I had to do normally for school.
If you look at my childhood photos, I have a book in my hand every photo, or most of them. … Although my interest in sexuality came later. At that point I wanted to be either a paleontologist or a surgeon. I had a thing for bones. Bones were my thing.
What was your favorite book as a kid?
Renee: My favorite book as a kid… in Kindergarten, I was really into Chronicles of Narnia and that was like the first series that I completed.
It’s amazing that you have a favorite book in kindergarten. [laughs]
Renee: It’s why I worked so much, honestly, when it comes to the industry, I don’t think I was a particularly talented actress, but as a kid I had very strong memorization skills and because of that I could read a script. I could learn it and, do what people told me to do. And especially when you look a little younger than your age, you work pretty consistently.
Do you have a favorite book as an adult, or are there too many to name?
Renee Olstead: There are too many to name. I tend to lean towards non-fiction.
Historic? Political?
Renee Olstead: Social for the most part. A lot of stuff around psy’, a lot of stuff around sex work, a lot of about sex work history, obviously a special interest of mine. Emily Nagoski has a new book that’s coming out in a couple of days that I’m really excited about.
As for fiction, I’m going to go with Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment.
There were so many things that were interesting about that. That book. You know, specifically in the discussion of an alcoholic character and the conceptualization of that – much of our understandings about that came a lot later. … The fact that there’s such diversity in the roles of female characters in that book. You see women as the villain. You see, you know, women as yeah…
Sure. We all study the core philosophy in The Brothers Karamazov, but when we ask that question, not a lot of people pick Russian literature. [laughs]
Renee: Well, yeah, but also what is more fascinating than a man who turns out classic literature every time he has a gambling debt? That is fascinating to me. [laughs]
“Damn! I have to write another book!”
Renee: Exactly! That’s so funny.
Last question, what would it mean to you to be Pet of the Year? That voting is coming up very soon…
Renee: Oh my God … It would be … It would be everything. I’m not going to pretend that it wouldn’t. I’m such a huge fan of the brand. I will say, I’m very honored to be part of the family as a Pet. I’m not trying to be greedy.
Penthouse is one of the rare truly legacy brands, and being Pet of the Year would be a chance to be an even bigger part of that legacy.
I really like it here. I hope I get to stick around, regardless. I certainly enjoy writing and all of that. … But I’ll definitely be sure my fans know [when the voting goes live]. It would mean the world to me.
Awesome, thank you so much.
Renee: I just got nervous.
You did great. I caught you off guard with that one.
Renee: That’s a hard question to answer, because it would absolutely mean everything to me. But I also appreciate everything that I’ve been given.
It would just be the trifecta for you. … Pet of the Month, columnist, and then Pet of the Year… Then we can hire you as a photographer … art director… How are you at doing makeup on other women? [laughs]
Renee Olstead: I could try my hand at it. I would be open to it. Still, being Pet of the Year would be a chance to be part of not only the legacy but what it means to be part of the Penthouse family going forward. Part of Penthouse’s future.
Because you were super-curious, we thought we’d let you know that Emily Nagoski, Ph.D.’s book did release, and even though it sounds like a Beatles song, it happens to be a fascinating read for anyone in a relationship – or who wants to be in a meaningful one. Being us, we naturally took Renee at her word and now can show off the “Sleepwalk” video that came up earlier in the conversation. This woman has many, many talents. It doesn’t seem fair, really, come to think of it.
Then we decided to leave you with one final image of Renee from out visit in January of 2024 in Las Vegas. We’re not saying that this represents how Ms. Olstead left the interview or anything, but she does happen to be kind of magic. You never know when she might appear again.
Compressed to six days. … In November and December 2004, U.S. military forces took part in their bloodiest battle since 1968. For the six weeks the Second Battle of Fallujah raged, U.S. Marines and Army soldiers led some of the heaviest urban combat American forces had faced in decades — even going as far as to use white phosphorus, a highly controversial chemical agent often compared to napalm, to target insurgent forces.
Nicknamed Operation Phantom Fury, the battle resulted in an estimated 6,000 total casualties, including: 95 U.S. forces, between 1,200 and 2,000 Iraqi insurgents, and an estimated 800 or more civilians.
Now, the battle is being waged once more — in the new first-person-shooter game Six Days in Fallujah, which features real-life stories of U.S. Marines and soldiers, as well as those of Iraqi civilians. The game launched in June 2023 in early release for Microsoft Windows, but developers promise an even more lifelike experience when the full game makes its debut on Xbox and PlayStation in 2024, saying, “The full version will offer a complete single-player story campaign that recreates true stories of Americans and Iraqis during the battle, as well as a robust special operator mode, more player roles, more co-op missions, and AI teammates.”
The game’s Steam site proclaims: “Six Days in Fallujah is a highly realistic first-person tactical shooter developed with help from more than 100 Marines and soldiers who served in the Second Battle of Fallujah. Based on true stories from one of the world’s toughest modern battles, Six Days drops you and your team into real-world scenarios that require real-life tactics to overcome.”
But it’s exactly this promise of a “true” experience that’s riled up military veterans and gamers alike as they debate whether such an experience really should be turned into entertainment.
The game, which was initially pitched to Atomic Games, was proposed by Sgt. Eddie Garcia, a Marine Corps veteran who fought in the battle. Following four years of development, the game was slated for release in 2009. Before the game could launch, however, Atomic’s publishing partner pulled out of the deal because of the controversy surrounding its release. More than 14 years later, the debate is raging once more.
One facet of the controversy: the accusation that the game was designed as a recruitment tool for the U.S. military. In 2020, after using the streaming app Twitch to reach gamers, the military was barred from the platform. At the time, it was revealed that gamers who tuned in to the U.S. Army’s streaming channel were lured to a recruitment page by links that were shared as part of alleged contests to win gaming gear. According to The Nation, users who followed the links were presented with “a recruiting form with no additional mention of a contest, odds, total number of winners, or when a drawing will occur.”
Rod Breslau, an e-sports industry consultant and insider, told The Nation, “You can say what you want about people who serve in the military and what that says about them. I’m not saying they shouldn’t be able to play video games or e-sports, but I do think it’s more insidious to have the military using it as a recruiting tool for young, impressionable people.”
The game’s publishers have denied any connection to recruitment, stating that they only worked with members of the military community as “private citizens” to get their input on the realities of the battle.
Another part of the controversy: the battle is too real to be a game. TechRadar Editor-in-Chief Jake Tucker had a chance to play the early release version of the game when it launched. In his review, he wrote, “It’s intense, brutal and the sort of tactical shooter that’s best suited for a dedicated team. Sadly, the horror doesn’t end when you come out of the mission. … Wading through the bloodshed of the Second Battle of Fallujah certainly left me feeling like I needed to take a shower.”
Cat Bussell, a staff writer for TechRadar and former political analyst, also questioned the game’s reality and motives in her review. “Six Days does little to address the extremely blurred lines between civilians and combatants that defined the Iraq War. While many accounts of the conflict, including Six Days, paint the insurgent/civilian dichotomy as a binary contrast, the reality was not nearly as cut and dry,” Bussell wrote.
“The Iraqis of Six Days … are either corpses or part of an indistinguishable militant horde, with no room for nuance. While the stories of the Marines absolutely deserve to be told, the same is true for the locals, whether or not they fought against the invaders, were bystanders, or found themselves being something in-between.”
Middle East Eye, in their article about the game, referenced a since-deleted tweet by a user whose commentary was a little more pointed: “Experience what it’s like to be a war criminal as you kill, rape and torture innocent Iraqi civilians because you’re a career terrorist.”
In 2021, when the game’s revival was initially announced, Middle East analyst Ahmed Twaij called out the game and its creators for devaluing Iraqi lives. “Preying on these real-life tragedies for entertainment is morally reprehensible, and the opportunity to play as U.S. soldiers in Fallujah and conduct virtual crimes only compounds the ongoing trauma suffered by Iraqis around the world,” Twaij wrote in Foreign Policy.
“For Iraqis, there is no off switch, and as the effects of the war continue to ripple through civilians’ daily lives, they deserve better than having their trauma flattened into 2D narratives for Western entertainment. Their lives are not a game.”
“We’re not asking players to commit atrocities in the game.”
Others, however, view the game as just that — a game. Six Days’ mastermind and longtime champion Peter Tamte has stood by it since its conception. He’s argued in the past that if television and movies could tell real-life war stories for entertainment, then games should be allowed to take inspiration from actual battles, too. “We’re not asking players to commit atrocities in the game,” he told GamesIndustry.biz in 2021.
“Are we effectively sanitizing events by not doing that? I don’t think that we need to portray the atrocities in order for people to understand the human cost. We can do that without the atrocities.”
Tamte added, “Very few people are curious [about] what it’s like to be an Iraqi civilian. Nobody’s going to play that game.”
Eddie Garcia, who initially conceived Six Days in 2004, also stands behind the game. “I always felt a movie would be too narrow of a lens to capture our experience in Iraq. A game on the other hand was perfect,” Garcia told Military Times in June 2023.
“A game could capture various perspectives, stories, ideas and feelings in a way that was personal and intimate. … My hope for the project was that the game could be a medium for all those things, for a diverse group of Marines, and I believe it succeeded.”
Veteran Read Omohundro, who served as a consultant on the original game concept and the final game, is equally supportive and finds the controversy around Six Days to be nonsense. According to Omohundro, the issues being raised against the game are those of policy and politics, something he says has little if anything to do with the actual battles waged by American servicemembers. “When [U.S. soldiers are] in the middle of a combat zone, they don’t give a shit about the politics of why they’re there. They’re just there. They’re taking care of their buddies, and their friends are doing their mission,” he told Polygon. “And that’s what this game is about. Not about what policymakers did up to that point.”
U.S. Marine veteran John Phipps, who fought in Fallujah, agrees the policies and politics that led to the battle are different from the actual fighting. But he also worries ignoring those foundational elements of the war takes away from the reality the game can offer. “Here, specifically, the insurgency was something of our own making. We created that,” he told GamesIndustry.biz.
However, regardless of the game’s inclusion of policy and overt politics, Phipps doesn’t believe it can engender a remotely realistic battle experience. “[This game] will not give you anywhere near an accurate sense of what it’s like to be near a battlefield, what it’s like to not just experience death in front of you, but to smell it, to hear it,” he said. “It’s not going to tell you what it’s like to watch a gunnery sergeant get reduced to ash in front of you — or having to clean him up afterward.”
Full disclosure, in our internal discussions about the topic, some of found much of the critique of Six Days to be on flimsy footing. So a tactical shooter game about some random imaginary place would be fine, but once you start reaching out to experts to bring reality into the strategy and start talking about real places and situations, suddenly you’ve got a problem? … At the risk of introducing “reality” into their argument, but people like tactical shooter games a lot. Obviously, these database sites by definition have constantly changing numbers, but just know that first column of green numbers represents the number of people playing a particular game — just in streaming, mind you — RIGHT NOW. On the day we looked, there were 4,708 games classified as tactical shooter by this particular resource. Now put all of that background information into your Six Days ruminations.
