Lily Ayers

Talented and innovative stripper/dancer, performed in nightclubs and theaters across U.S. during 1950s and 1960s. Lily also reportedly sang well and hoped to move into musical comedy, but only known film appearances are two burlesque actualities. Hazel-eyed bleached blonde, wore red lip paint noticeable for its low gloss. Only liability was a changeling face; on film she resembles from moment to moment Monroe, Bardot, Jayne Mansfield, Kim Novak, but leaves no unique imprint of her own. Acts included: The B-Girl Ballet, The Striptease Story, The Serpent and the Girl, a dance in mink fur, stripping in a large bass drum, and a singing reverse strip. Most accounts have Lily born in Norfolk, Virginia circa 1930. Of European and Polynesian ancestry, her father was a sailor, her mother a fashion model. Lily quit high school to work at the Carolyn Leonetti modeling agency in Los Angeles, then went to Las Vegas for a year as a showgirl after being discovered by the Flamingo's Maxine Lewis. She returned to Los Angeles and began stripping in 1950 at the Follies Theater (Third and Main) under the guidance of Lillian Hunt, choreographer. Hobbies included swimming and horseback riding, reportedly won equestrian events. Lily had four known stage names: Icel Condon (1951), Exotic Lily or just Lily (1952), Lorali (1953-1954), Lily Ayers (1955 and thereafter). In addition she was credited as Rochelle in the 1950 movie "Everybody's Girl."