Summer of 2018 … I remember laying in my bed at the Moonlite Bunny Ranch fluttering my feet excitedly watching leaked videos of Penthouse parties.
Penthouse Pet Party 2024
They were full of porn stars and worldwide published models. I told Daddy Hof, “One day, I am going to be one of those girls dancing at one of those parties!”
He chuckled and replied, “Why would you want that when I can throw you a party here?” Now, he technically wasn’t wrong as D knew how to party and was an all-time icon. My 21st birthday was a dirty princess party. Whatever you are imagining, you are correct. And you are welcome.
“Good riddance.” I say, as we seem to be finally moving past the pandemic, which ended all parties. Let’s fast forward to this summer of ‘24; invitations were sent out, phones were blowing up, outfit selections began, and the girls were ecstatic. I woke up early to find the entire Penthouse family already setting up for us. Rich cobblestone walkways, a glistening icy blue pool with fountains, and an outdoor brunch of mimosas paired with hors d’oeurves. Of course we can’t forget the iconic “Penthouse Photo Op” backdrops or the camera crews ready to shoot all of our insatiable models — myself included.
Kenna James, Pet of the Year ‘15, walked into Pet Party 2024 wearing a dreamy bohemian two-piece summer fit that tightly hugged her toned body. Pet of the Year Runner-Up 2021 Meaghan Stanfill was wearing a white two-piece set with a low V cut, showing just enough cleavage to make our eyes wander. Then two Pets of the Month from 2021, Miss Vanna Bardot (January) and Cherie Noel (August), came blazing in with smoke-show attire. Vanna’s dress flared red hot, short enough to see some cheek, her skin radiating with a constant glow. Miss Noel boasted a neon-orange designer bikini and mini skirt that hugged her curves in all her right places.
Also in attendance, our current Pet of the Year, Tahlia Paris graced us with an erotic, barely-there white poolside dress. With her shining platinum diamond key of course and her nipples fighting to be held under the little amount of fabric given. The 2023 Pet Playoffs have been underway, and the beauty that surrounded me was breathtaking. Renee Olstead (January) wearing cut-off jean shorts and a golden metallic halter that matched her key perfectly, Mia Ventura (July) wearing a two-piece vibrant hand-crocheted bikini, Roxy Shaw (October) who wore country paisley in lace bell bottoms, and Sophi Summers (December) sported an artistic transparent art-deco micro dress.
Rounding out the even were two of our newest Pet additions for ‘24 Miss Kassie Wallis (March) and Miss Elly Clutch (April). Kassie sported a high thigh slit coverup with nothing on underneath, whereas Elly came out of a storybook in a soft flower-patterned skirt with a matching bralette. These girls came dressed to impress – and knocked it out of the park. It was nice fawning over them while I practiced my mermaid skills in the pool.
Full disclosure, Penthouse spoils us Pets to the fullest. Our liege, Moose, asked for a moment of our time before it was impossible to round up our kittens. Have you ever tried to herd a bunch of kittens? Trust me when I say it is the same experience in the industry. Chaotic and absolutely adorable. … Moose persevered, though.
Penthouse prides itself on good relationships where we can lean on our family no matter the circumstance. If you have ever wondered what separates an empire from a run-of-the-mill corporate greed-filled company, well, now you know.
So everyone at Pet Party 2024 had heightened emotions as we all listened to Moose share his passion for the company, how deeply he believes in our models, and that he encourages each of us to aim high in our career goals, to see how great we may become. His biggest note, though, came in assuring us all that we never have to walk alone if we do not want prefer. Penthouse will be there for us.
It would be a significant understatement simply to say that our models maintain busy schedules. We rarely have moments to be vulnerable and almost never get to talk amongst ourselves on intimate levels. We did, however, on this day.
After Moose, Sam Phillips took a turn to speak. When I met Sam in 2019, receiving my first tour at the Penthouse corporate office, I thought, “Crews switch out all the time, and I’m probably never going to see her again.”
I mean that with no disrespect, understand. The industry works with a no-days-off shoot cycle, so we’re constantly surrounded by new faces and places.
Fast forward and I saw Sam at my Pet of the Month shoot, then Caligula, then my Pet of the Year shoot, and then on more sets. I realized pretty quickly that Miss Sam Phillips qualifies as essential – she always has been (and probably will be) – ever since the days when she graced the pages as a Pet herself back in 1993. It was beautiful hearing her admiration for Penthouse and the years of labor she has put into our Pets.
I live for being sappy myself, but the mushy feels resonated among all of us. But then … It was now party time! Mascara was wiped from our eyes, goodie bags of unreleased bikinis were handed out, and photographers were itching to snap killer shots of everyone. While Pets took turns being in front of a camera, it left time for others to catch up and some of us even to meet for the first time. I know what you are thinking, “What important conversations could a bunch of models have that could be relatable to a reader like me?”
People say success can be lonely, but I find that life can be lonely in general. Oftentimes we will look up to discover ourselves behind a facade both paraded around and weaponized. “You’re beautiful, I bet your life is perfect”.
New flash: It isn’t. Reality never lives up to fantasy, and we’re all just people. That said, while no life may be “perfect” as such, standing together in unison makes a community stronger. The Pet Party 2024 gave us a chance to remember that. We need to nurture our basic human need of wanting to feel heard. Whether not scheduling enough self-care or mental care, basic body insecurities, job opportunities lost, personal family dynamics, navigating how to make dreams a reality, and the state of our country, all were topics we all felt safe enough to share amongst our family. Knowing they would be listened to, validated, and understood. Sympathy is fine. Empathy is better.
Numbers were traded, content was shot, and plans for more shoots among us Pets were made. We all said goodbye with open arms and warm hugs. Many of them were Minnesota goodbyes which turned into a Pet sleepover. The vision created was executed successfully and we all await the next invite with our heels by the door and keys on our necks. This is the beginning of a new era for Penthouse. Our family supports each other, helps each other, and spends time with each other. This is what sets us apart from the rest. Until next time, kisses.
–Lacy Lennon
Pet of the Year 2020
Lacy talks a bit about busy schedules, but even that notice may be a little difficult to absorb for those of us in the “normal-looking” world. Imagine being young, beautiful, sexually adventurous, and making your living (for now) off of those attributes first and foremost. The demands on your time quickly become overwhelming, so the fact that Penthouse somehow managed to get a dozen of these special women at a specific place in Los Angeles at a specific time sort of borders on magical. Then again, also as Lacy illuminates, being able to spend time with a group of people that understand your life exactly tends to be a rare treat.
Now obviously you can look up any of these models — many in these very pages — we thought we get your brains functioning in a precise direction regarding specifically the 2024 winners. As you may recall Kassie Wallis (March) and Elly Clutch (April) both attended the gathering to meet some new sisters on this day. While the public vote for 2024 Pet of the Year — with 2023 Pets, just to continue the historic confusion surrounding the title — has completed, both of these ladies will be in the running for 2025 when that vote goes live around Valentine’s Day (+/- or so, hypothetically). Might as well get a jump on your research we figure. As research projects go, extrapolating from the Pet Party 2024 beats the heck out of some projects you’ve probably had.
Oh, and in case you don’t know either, we had to look up what “Minnesota Goodbye” might be. Turns out it’s not a bunch of people bitching about the Packers before they go home, but that would be our experience, for the record.
It sounds like so much fun! Everyone looks so beautiful!