Actress Says Her “Set Dad” Tracked Down Her Strip Club, Bought A Private Dance, Then Invited Her To His Pool After Playing Her Father On Film

In the world of acting, especially in a place like Los Angeles, pursuing a dream can lead to some unexpected paths. One 24-year-old woman, who’ll remain anonymous, recently shared an unsettling experience from her time in the industry that turned more bizarre than anyone could have anticipated.

The actress moved to LA at 19, eager to break into the acting scene. The high cost of living in the city left her with limited job options, especially when it came to auditions. Like many aspiring artists, she soon discovered that working in the service industry was challenging when trying to juggle a demanding audition schedule. A conversation with an old high school teacher at a Christmas party sparked a significant change; the teacher revealed her past as a stripper and how much she enjoyed it. Intrigued by the idea, our actress ultimately decided to give it a shot, believing it could be a way to support herself while pursuing acting.

“Stripping is basically acting,” she explained. “It improves confidence, connects you with your body, pays well, and gives you the flexibility to audition.” However, she quickly learned that one of the most crucial skills she needed—something she initially lacked—was the ability to set boundaries.

A few months into her new job, she booked a lead role in a student film. It was an unpaid gig, but it had the potential to be a stepping stone in her budding career. She was cast as a high school girl dealing with life and her physically disabled father, played by a man named Richard. While filming, Richard seemed pleasant enough and often spoke fondly of his wife, even sharing that he had once stripped in his younger days. After filming wrapped, they exchanged numbers, but she didn’t expect to hear from him again.

However, around Christmas and New Year’s, Richard sent her messages wishing her well, which she didn’t respond to due to her habit of being a poor communicator. Things took a turn in February when she arrived at work at the strip club one evening and spotted a familiar face: Richard was sitting there, unmistakably watching her.

Feeling uneasy, she did her best to avoid him, but as business was slow that night, she ultimately approached him to chat. He acknowledged he’d come in to see her and had sent her some tips earlier. After a brief conversation, he offered to buy her a fifteen-minute VIP dance. Despite her instincts telling her to refuse, she agreed, needing the cash. Besides, she was in denial about how awkward it felt to be naked in front of someone who had played her father just months earlier.

Once in the private room, things quickly spiraled. As she undressed, Richard began asking intimate questions about her sexual preferences. He made her feel uncomfortable, even touching her inappropriately. The surreal nature of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks; here was a man who had portrayed her father on screen, now inquiring about her private life and even suggesting they could hang out with his wife at home, a potential invitation that felt like a poorly veiled proposition.

The sense of violation lingers in her memory, as she recalls the discomfort and her immediate response after the encounter. She texted Richard, expressing how unsettled she felt and requested he never contact her again. His response was a half-hearted apology, and she wished that was the end of it.

In May, the film she starred in was set to screen at a university theater. While she felt nervous about seeing Richard there, she was determined not to let him ruin her moment. True to her fears, he did attend, approaching her with an air of regret. She had rehearsed not falling into the trap of saying “it’s okay,” ultimately settling on a simple “okay” in response to his apologies before walking away.

Now, looking back, she’s moved on from both acting and stripping, choosing to return to school for biology. Still, she reflects on that chapter of her life with a mix of fondness and discomfort. “Stripping was one of my favorite jobs,” she shared, despite the dark moments. “I just wish I could have told his wife what happened.”