Palin lookalike porn star takes Republican convention by storm

From adult films to faux press conferences at strip clubs, Lisa Ann's career has soared after the 2008 election thanks to the Tea Party favourite, a notable absentee from the 2012 convention line-up set to crown Mitt Romney the Republicanu00a0US presidential nominee next week.

Dazzling doppelganger: Porn star and exotic dancer Lisa Ann has made a living impersonating (inset) former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin after the latter's unsuccessful vice presidential run. Pic/AFP

"I don't think she's as thrilled with me as I am with her," said Lisa Ann at The Dollhouse club, which is hoping for a big week as tens of thousands of Republicans descend on Tampa for the convention that runs through Thursday.

Lisa Ann, a 40-year-old certified dental assistant who alternates between homes in Los Angeles and New York, was included in CNBC's Dirty Dozen, a 2011 list of the 12 most popular porn stars.

"We live in a pretty recession-proof business," the well-spoken adult film star said. "I mean, it did definitely change things for a lot of people. But for myself, having the gift to play Sarah Palin during the crunch has been just incredible."

In a recent interview, Lisa Ann said she has been reading up on Palin's life and trying to study her to gain a better understanding of her life. "Do you know how many guys at the airport have told me they voted for Palin because they thought she was hot? I tell them, ‘Don't vote'," she said.u00a0

$1,0000 The amount exotic dancers will make during the Republican convention in Tampa