Stormy Daniels, a former adult film star and controversial figure in American politics who has turned to comedy, will headline shows in California and Oregon, including one in conservative Redding.
Daniels will perform “live and unfiltered for a night of laughs, stories, and truth” at Karma’s on Lake Boulevard on Saturday, July 11, according to her “Unicorns in the Kitchen” comedy tour website.
Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, rocketed into news headlines in 2018 after reports she received a $130,000 payment to keep quiet about having consensual sex with President Donald Trump in 2006.
The adult film star “is now taking her talents to the comedy stage,” according to the tour description. “Her set is filled with humorous tales from her time in adult entertainment and to stories about her personal life as a wife and mother…and of course, politics and scandal.”
Daniel’s comedy act also includes a question-and-answer period with her audience. “Just don’t ask a question if you aren’t prepared to hear the answer to it,” Daniels said in the event announcement.
Mount Shasta comedian and event producer David Rodriguez opens for Daniels at Karma’s Bar on July 11.
He learned about Daniels’ tour from another comedian, Rodriguez said. Her tour planned to move south from Washington to California, so he looked for a Redding venue that worked for Daniels. “On such short notice, I wasn’t able to find availability at the … Riverfront Playhouse,” which Rodriguez called “the best comedy venue in town.” So he booked Karma’s.
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How Mount Shasta comedian thinks Redding audiences will receive Daniels
Rodriguez said he’s not sure how mostly-conservative Redding audiences will receive Daniels, but thinks “people would be wise to understand the difference between politics and having a fun night with an interesting lady. Politics divides people but truth and freedom unite people.”
“Comedians are bastions of freedom of speech,” said Rodriguez, who addresses some politically charged topics in his own comedy act. His act often covers his small town roots, his “half Mexican” heritage, conspiracy theories, beekeeping, taxes, childhood bb gun wars and climate change.
Tickets to the Redding show with Daniels and Rodriguez are $30 to $125 plus online service fees at stormy.simpletix.com.
Daniels also performs her comedy act this week in Portland and Salem, Oregon. After Redding, she’s scheduled to do shows in Sunnyvale and Bakersfield. “She’s already sold out her July 12 shows in Sunnyvale,” Rodriguez said.
What made Stormy Daniels a household name
Daniels made daily headlines in January 2018 after the Wall Street Journal reported Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen arranged for Daniels to receive a $130,000 payment ahead of the 2016 election — money in exchange for her to keep mum about an alleged affair with Trump in 2006,
Cohen denied Trump had anything to do with the payoff, and told the New York Times he used his own money to pay Daniels.
During an interview aboard Air Force One the following April, Trump denied knowing about the payment, telling reporters, “You’ll have to ask Michael Cohen.”
Cohen pleaded guilty to eight felony charges including ones for tax evasion and fraud on Aug. 21, 2018, after the FBI seized more than 1 million documents in a raid of his home, office and hotel. He also admitted he illegally paid off Daniels at Trump’s “direction.”
A day later, Trump admitted during an interview with “Fox & Friends” that the money for Daniels’ payment came from him. The president also said the payments were not illegal because the money didn’t come from Trump campaign coffers.
Daniels testified during Trump’s 2024 trial that she had a one-night affair with Trump just months after now First Lady Melania Trump gave birth to Trump’s son, Barron.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal, Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding’s Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Stormy Daniels bringing comedy act to conservative Redding
Reporting by Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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By Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight | USA TODAY Network
