Emily Willis is the professional name of American former adult-film performer Litzy Lara Banuelos. Born in Argentina and raised in Utah, she built a prominent career in the adult entertainment industry before expanding into mainstream film and music-video appearances.
Her career included recognition from major industry award organizations, including the AVN Awards, XBIZ Awards, XRCO Awards and Pornhub Awards. She was also named a Penthouse Pet of the Month in May 2019.
Early Life
Emily Willis was born in Argentina and moved to the United States with her family when she was seven years old. She was raised in St. George, Utah, after her mother remarried an American citizen.
Willis grew up in the LDS Church and graduated from high school a year early. After finishing school, she moved to San Diego, California, where she worked as a door-to-door salesperson before entering the entertainment industry.
Career Beginnings
Willis entered the adult entertainment business in 2017. Her early professional experience came through a connection she made using a dating application.
Her career developed rapidly, and she eventually appeared in hundreds of productions. Over the following years, she became one of the more recognizable performers in the industry and received numerous professional nominations and awards.
She moved to Las Vegas in early 2018 and later relocated to Los Angeles, where she continued developing her career.
Penthouse Recognition
A major early milestone came in May 2019, when Willis was selected as Penthouse Pet of the Month.
The recognition added to her growing profile and helped establish her as a notable name within the adult entertainment industry.
Awards and Achievements
Willis received substantial industry recognition during the early 2020s.
Among her most significant achievements were awards at the 2021 AVN Awards, where she won Female Performer of the Year. She also received recognition for several other productions and performance categories.
Her award history includes honors and nominations associated with:
- AVN Awards
- XBIZ Awards
- XRCO Awards
- NightMoves Awards
- Pornhub Awards
- XCritic Awards
- Doppio Senso Night Awards
- Adult Empire Awards
She continued receiving industry recognition through 2023.
Mainstream Film Career
Willis also pursued opportunities outside adult entertainment.
In 2022, she joined the cast of director Eddie Alcazar’s science-fiction thriller Divinity. The film featured a broader ensemble cast and marked an opportunity for Willis to appear in a mainstream feature-film production.
In interviews around the film’s release, Willis discussed her interest in pursuing additional mainstream acting opportunities.
Her appearance in Divinity represented another stage in her career, extending her public profile beyond the adult entertainment sector.
Music Video Appearance
In 2023, Willis appeared in the music video for “Hive Mind”, a single by American heavy-metal band Slipknot.
The appearance added another mainstream entertainment credit to her professional résumé.
Clothing Brand
Willis also launched a clothing venture called EmFatale. The project represented an attempt to develop a business and personal brand outside her screen work.
The clothing line received attention during its initial launch, although later reporting indicated that the venture did not continue at its original level.
Health Crisis and Family’s Legal Action
In February 2024, Willis experienced a serious medical emergency while staying at a rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles.
According to reports from her family and subsequent media coverage, she suffered cardiac arrest and experienced severe neurological injury caused by a prolonged lack of oxygen.
Her family later said that she emerged from a coma in April 2024. At that time, reports described her as severely disabled while retaining the ability to track objects with her eyes.
The circumstances surrounding her treatment subsequently became the subject of legal proceedings. In 2025, her family filed a lawsuit alleging fraud and negligence against the rehabilitation facility.
In 2026, reports stated that the family reached a $3 million settlement with the facility. A portion of the settlement was allocated for Willis’s continuing care after legal fees and related expenses.
Because medical and legal circumstances can change, readers should consult current primary or reputable news sources for the latest verified information.
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Professional Name | Emily Willis |
| Birth Name | Litzy Lara Banuelos |
| Born | December 29, 1998 |
| Birthplace | Argentina |
| Raised In | Utah, USA |
| Height | 5′ 5″ (1.65 m) |
| Profession | Former adult-film performer, model and actress |
| Career Began | 2017 |
| Penthouse Recognition | Pet of the Month, May 2019 |
| Mainstream Film | Divinity |
| Music Video | Slipknot’s “Hive Mind” |
| Business Venture | EmFatale |
Emily Willis Age
Public biographical sources have listed December 29, 1998 as Emily Willis’s date of birth. Based on that date, she was 27 years old as of August 10, 2026.
Some online profiles have published different birth information, so Hunterfly should verify the date against authoritative or first-party sources before treating it as definitive.
Emily Willis Height
Emily Willis has been listed at approximately 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters) tall.
Why Emily Willis Became Notable
Emily Willis’s public career stands out for several reasons. She entered the entertainment industry in her late teens, quickly established a substantial professional presence, and accumulated recognition from several major adult-industry award organizations.
Her later appearances in Divinity and Slipknot’s “Hive Mind” also gave her career a connection to mainstream film and music.
Her story has subsequently attracted significant media attention because of her severe medical emergency in 2024 and the legal proceedings involving the rehabilitation facility where she was receiving treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Emily Willis?
Emily Willis is the professional name of Litzy Lara Banuelos, an American former adult-film performer, model and actress who was born in Argentina and raised in Utah.
When was Emily Willis born?
Public biographical sources list her birth date as December 29, 1998, in Argentina.
What is Emily Willis’s real name?
Her birth name is listed as Litzy Lara Banuelos.
How tall is Emily Willis?
She has been listed at approximately 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters).
When did Emily Willis begin her career?
She began working professionally in the adult entertainment industry in 2017.
What awards did Emily Willis win?
Her career recognition includes AVN, XBIZ, XRCO, NightMoves, Pornhub, XCritic, Doppio Senso Night and Adult Empire honors. One of her most notable achievements was winning AVN Female Performer of the Year in 2021.
Was Emily Willis in a mainstream movie?
Yes. She appeared in director Eddie Alcazar’s 2022 film Divinity.
Did Emily Willis appear in a Slipknot music video?
Yes. She appeared in the music video for “Hive Mind”, released by Slipknot in 2023.
What happened to Emily Willis in 2024?
She experienced a serious medical emergency in February 2024 and suffered severe neurological injury. Her family subsequently reported on her recovery and pursued legal action concerning her treatment.
