Q&A With the Queen of Burlesque Dita Von Teese

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Q&A With the Queen of Burlesque Dita Von Teese

Posted Apr 16th 2007 2:48AM by Xania Woodman
Filed under: Shows, Nightlife, Celebrity

Vegas nightlife queen Xania Woodman caught up with burlesque queen Dita Von Teese who is currently guest starring at the Crazy Horse Paris at MGM Grand.

Dita Von Teese in Vegas

How many times have you visited Vegas?
I couldn't possibly guess! I suppose the first time was with my family when we were driving across the country, making the move from Michigan to California when I was 12. I suppose back then, Vegas was more 'adult' oriented, so I don't remember thinking much of it until I went with a bunch of friends when I was 18 and had the time of my life! Now I usually come to perform, I've always been more interested in the shows and the nightlife than gambling.

What's the most trouble you've caused in Vegas? Any crazy happenings? What was your wildest night?
Oh boy, I knew this was coming. I would have to admit that I had a little Hunter S. Thompson style 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' weekend once in the early 90's, if you know what I mean! But I'm generally a pretty decent and good girl. I save my naughtiness for the stage!

How does your show contribute to the entertainment scene in Vegas?
I think that with all the modernized burlesque, my act brings the historic and risque part of what burlesque was really about. Sadly, one thing lost in the modern burlesque scene is the lack of stars. In burlesque's heyday, the stars created their own acts, and that part of being unique that actually made a dancer memorable is gone when someone creates a revue based on their vision alone.

What do you require from your audience?
Nothing! They can be wildly raucous or they can be silently observing. The energy changes from show to show.

What item can you not leave home without? What's the strangest thing you've brought with you for your stay?
Well, I'm usually there to perform so I don't forget my costume! The strangest thing I've brought? I don't know, maybe a book to read, which of course one doesn't need in Las Vegas!

Why is it imperative to keep the art of burlesque alive and what makes you the one to do it?
I think that especially in this time, when burlesque is a term used to describe anything retro-themed and sexy, its important to me to try to remind people of the actual history of burlesque....that burlesque has ALWAYS been about the striptease, it's not merely a style or a fashion. So I'm hoping that people will come to understand this and realize that when they walk into one of the many 'burlesque-flavored' cabarets that have sprung up as of late, that they take time to realize that there was more to it than that, there absolutely WAS nudity. Even if one were to see the most famous burlesque dancers of all time, like Gypsy Rose Lee or Lili St. Cyr, you would have seen them undressing. It makes me sad for their history when I hear about a club owner or dancer talk about how in their revue, the burlesque dancers are "too classy" to strip... burlesque WAS about the strip, and that's a fact. Anyone who says otherwise is grossly misinformed. I hope to set the record straight about what these great star strippers of the 1930s and 1940s actually did, which was quite risque.

And finally, who would you love to work with that you have not already?
I wish I could have worked with Helmut Newton. I've met lots of his friends that said we would have been a great match, that I was his kind of girl... not afraid of the risque, willing to push the envelope in photos. There are lots of photographers I would like to work with still, like Paulo Riversi and Mario Testino. As far as clubs, well, I've guest starred in lots of burlesque revues, but The Crazy Horse Paris is a really an ideal match, because they have an incredible history. The Crazy Horse Paris has been running every night since 1951! So if someone wants to see what a classic artful revue that comes quite close to actual burlesque, The Crazy Horse Paris at The MGM Grand is the place to see it! You won't be sorry.

About Xania
Xania Woodman Xania spends her nights on the town and her days writing about those nights. Find more Xania on The Circuit and Xania's Hot Spots at Las Vegas Weekly.

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Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. I love Dita Von Teese She's beautifull and she's really bringing back the art of burlesque she's not a sleazy stripper she's a clssy gal who know's how to work what she's got. YOU ROCK DITA!!!

Mauro at 8:17PM on Apr 21st 2007

2. Rosie is a BIG FAT PIG!

robert at 8:22PM on Apr 21st 2007

3. Dita is amazing! her photo-spread in March issue of C Magazing was so - modern & glamourous!

D at 8:32PM on Apr 21st 2007

4. Any way you look at it, she is still a stripper. I am just sick of women who are like her. Leave your clothes on for God's sake! We all have to stop and look at the whole picture here girls...if you are God loving, do you really think God would approve of women stripping in public and degrading themselves?
Men do not respect women today, and we wonder why??

Dior at 8:34PM on Apr 21st 2007

5. Dior, are you nuts???? There is nothing wrong with sharing your sexuality in a proper venue! Dita isn't some sleazy crackwhore who "strips her way through school". Some people bring class to their game, others bring sleaze. You have to be a real prude to mix those two up!!!

Laura at 8:47PM on Apr 21st 2007

6. Robert,
Are you an idiotic assh*le or what? This article was about Dita, no where was Rosie mentioned, or are you too illiterate to realize that?

Rebecca at 8:51PM on Apr 21st 2007

7. Dita is an artist. She has pretty much single handedly brought burlesque back into the publics eye, and I am not talking about the wannabe burlesque out there, but the real deal...She should be applauded for everything that she has and is doing.....Personally I would put her right up there with Lili St. Cyr, or better yet she is the modern day Betty Page....Beauty and class...

Way to go Dita

Heidi at 9:20PM on Apr 21st 2007

8. Dior,
As you are entitled to your opinion, I am entitled to mine and IMO that was assinine! God is a loving God AND God gave us FREE WILL. Remember what that is? If God is willing to give us that then how can He possibly NOT love ALL of His children no matter what they do for a living?
Dita is beautiful and what she does is an art. If you don't like it you have the FREE WILL to choose to not read articles on her. Or anything else YOU don't approve of.
Thank you for making such a comment that I can respond with mine!

Shanna at 9:21PM on Apr 21st 2007

9. I love how these strippers act as if there is something special to what they do. She tries to remind everyone that this is really about nudity, not just the fashion. Gee that makes sense, let's remind everyone that this is really about getting naked, instead of emphasizes the "art" aspect. You would think she'd want her "profession" to be remembered as more than a striptease, but no, not her. Burlesque dancers of the past did this for the money, period. You can fluff up the history all you want, about how this was art, etc., but in the end, it's all about the benjamins. She dances on a stage and gets naked, wow, what a form of art. Most people do that everyday in the shower, all without the perverted men drooling at them. Sorry honey, you are not a form of art, but a piece of meat that people want to screw. Besides, she was married to Marylin Manson for crying out loud. How mentally stable can someone be to marry him?

Jane at 9:23PM on Apr 21st 2007

10. Women who stip are PIGS, thanks to Hugh "the Pimp" Heffner. He created this S--t for $$$$, introduced it to men , who are not men at all, since they DO NOT Respect women, particularly thos e who undress for a $!!! Anyone who gets their entertainment from this type of show bussinessw is a DEGENERATE and has a real LOW esteem for the opposite sex!!!

Raffaele Zuccaro at 9:27PM on Apr 21st 2007

11. W BUSH JR. AND ANN CUNTLER AND O'REILLY ALL SUCK so much,there aren't LETTERS large enought to SCREAM it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

eatitanddie at 9:29PM on Apr 21st 2007

12. Leave that gorgeous body alone !!

Del at 9:30PM on Apr 21st 2007

13. If Dita is so great, what was she doing with Marilyn Manson? Yuk.

Patricia at 9:32PM on Apr 21st 2007

14. strippers are strippers , weather there classy or sleazy . As for me i love strippers .

Pokerstars at 9:35PM on Apr 21st 2007

15. actually, she's divorced manson. anyone who keeps up with her should be aware of that fact.

teresa at 9:43PM on Apr 21st 2007

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