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July 7, 2026–Knoxville, TN—Pony Clubs is speaking out after Fanboy Expo canceled the scheduled appearance of Lauryn Efrid, known publicly as Pumpkin, a decision that has sparked strong reactions across Facebook and Instagram and opened a much larger conversation about hypocrisy, selective outrage, and the unfair stigma attached to legal adult entertainment.
Pumpkin is widely known to reality television audiences through her family’s rise in pop culture, appearing alongside her sister, Honey Boo Boo, who first became famous on “Toddlers & Tiaras,” and their mother, Mama June. Over the years, Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efrid has grown up in the public eye, building her own identity, fanbase, and voice beyond reality TV.
The cancellation has not gone unnoticed.
Across social media, supporters have pointed out the obvious double standard: strip clubs and adult entertainers are often labeled as “oversexualized” or “controversial,” while mainstream pop culture events continue to platform celebrities, performers, and public figures with far more questionable public histories than simply working in a legal, licensed adult entertainment venue.
That disconnect is exactly why Pony Clubs is pushing back.
Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efrid has built a following through confidence, humor, body positivity, and a sex-positive personality that resonates with fans who appreciate authenticity. Her public image is not about shame — it is about self-acceptance, owning who you are, and refusing to let outdated judgment define your worth.
“Let’s be honest,” said Mike Dickinson, Regional Manager of Pony Clubs. “People love to judge strip clubs while quietly consuming everything connected to sex, scandal, fame, and controversy. Lauryn has lived much of her life in the public eye, and she has built a platform around confidence, body positivity, and being unapologetically herself. Adult entertainers work legal jobs, pay taxes, build fanbases, and show up for their audiences. Canceling someone because of where they are appearing says a lot more about the people doing the canceling than it does about the entertainer.”
“The club was not booked at Fanboy Expo under any fictitious name,” said Dickinson. “It was booked under the legal name of the club, and if Fanboy Expo was too stupid or lazy to investigate the names of businesses then that’s on them.”
The reaction online has been immediate and intense. Fans have called out the hypocrisy of treating adult entertainment as unacceptable while embracing celebrity culture that often profits from shock value, controversy, and scandal. Pony Clubs believe the issue is bigger than one canceled appearance.
This is about respect for performers. Respect for legal workers. Respect for fans. And respect for the reality that adult entertainment has long been part of nightlife, pop culture, and American entertainment history.
Strip club performers are not punchlines. They are entertainers, business women, influencers, mothers, artists, athletes, advocates, and working professionals. Many have built massive following and loyal fan communities through talent, personality, confidence, and relentless work ethic.
Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efrid represents the type of personality fans connect with because she is real. From reality TV recognition to her own public platform, she embraces body positivity, celebrates confidence, and brings a sex-positive perspective that challenges the tired idea that women should be celebrated only when they fit into someone else’s comfort zone.
Although Fanboy Expo canceled Pumpkin’s appearance, the celebration is not. The official after party will still take place on July 11 at Mouse’s Ear Knoxville, featuring special guest entertainer Bunny Luv. Fans who planned to show up, support, and be part of the energy still have a place to go — and Pony Clubs is making sure the night continues.
“People want to act like our industry is beneath them until they need our audience, our energy, our promo power, or our culture,” Dickinson added. “The second adult entertainment brings attention, views, and ticket sales, everyone wants to benefit from it. But when it is time to publicly respect the people in this industry, suddenly everyone gets scared.”
For an event that claims to be “family friendly” Fanboy Expo has no problem booking and platforming people such as:
– Edward Furlong; arrested multiple times for domestic violations allegations against women
– Shia LeBeouf; who has a history of allegedly saying anti LGBT statements as recently as February 2026 according to various news articles below.
Shia LaBeouf says ‘gay people are scary to me’ while claiming homophobia led to Mardi Gras arrest
Shia LaBeouf Yelled ‘I’m A Catholic’ While Hurling Gay Slurs At His Alleged Victims, Police Claim
Pony Clubs stands behind Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efrid, its entertainers, its fans, and the larger adult entertainment community.
The message is simple: stop pretending adult entertainers are the problem while giving a pass to everyone else.
Legal work is not shameful. Confidence is not shameful. Body positivity is not shameful. Being sex-positive is not shameful.
Hypocrisy is.
The Mouse’s Ear is located at 8873 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37923 and you may call them directly at (865) 355-2200.
You may follow The Mouse’s Ear on their website at https://lnk.bio/mousesear and on X at https://x.com/MousesEarKnoxTN
You may follow Pumpkin on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/pumpkin/?hl=en and on X at https://x.com/Laurynpumpkin
You may follow Bunny Luv on X at https://x.com/thebunnilla and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bunnilla/
You may follow Mike Dickinson on X at https://x.com/IamMrMikeD and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/iammrmiked/
You may follow the Pony Clubs on X at https://x.com/theponyusa
