Burlesque, at its core, is a dance of defiance. In a world where the female body is perpetually scrutinised, judged, and boxed into societal expectations, burlesque emerges as a radical act of self-acceptance and empowerment.
Tracing back to the Victorian era, a time of corsets and confinements. Burlesque started as satirical mockery of the grand operas of the time. It was the antithesis to the rigid societal constraints, a tongue-in-cheek medium designed to be provocative, a deliberate dalliance that danced at the edges of acceptability. Once it spread across the Atlantic to the United States, satire slowly turned sultry. In the post-war era, elements of striptease began to intertwine and Modern-day stripping took centre stage.
The ’90s saw a neo-burlesque resurgence. Icons like Dita Von Teese began to rise to fame, reigniting the spark for vintage glamour and tease, reclaiming it as an art form for women and queer individuals to assert control and authority over their narratives.
My burlesque journey began with a fascination for vintage Hollywood starlets like Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and a deep admiration for Dita. The elegance, confidence, and power of these women was intoxicating, and as a young girl and dancer, seeing how these women moved and danced on stage and screen was inspiring.
However, it took time to find my place. From my youngest years, I had been lost in the rhythms of ballet, the click of my tap shoes, or the energy of hip-hop. But despite my love for dance, I never found a style that resonated with me. The dance world could often be unkind and fiercely competitive, enforcing patriarchal standards of beauty and physique. Too big, too short, not the right fit — labels that limited passionate dancers.
It was as an adult that I finally attended a burlesque workshop, surrounded by formidable, unapologetic women of all shapes and sizes who personified the strength and self-assuredness I’d always yearned for. They weren’t afraid of societal labels, they didn’t care what other people thought, and their overwhelming acceptance was the affirmation I had sought for so long.
I dove headfirst into the burlesque world and quickly turned it into a career. And now for over five years, I have been gracing stages across Australia and overseas as a full-time performer. I document my journey on social media and have built a prominent online following. Through this journey, countless women have reached out in person and online, praising my confidence and wishing they could do what I do.
This culminated with me running burlesque workshops while travelling, providing a safe space for women to come together to dance, learn burlesque history, and have an outlet for self-expression and celebration of body and sexuality.
My workshops start with an exercise in vulnerability and trust. We sit together and form a circle to introduce ourselves. As we share the backstories that brought us to the workshop, a pattern emerges—a diverse tapestry of stories, each unique yet linked by a shared quest for expression and liberation.
I’m continually humbled by the vast spectrum of women I encounter. Some bear visible and invisible disabilities, carrying forward with an awe-inspiring determination. Others, emerging from the shadows of divorce, seek rediscovery and a renewed understanding of self. And then there are those who, regardless of age, are taking their first tentative steps in exploring their sexuality. Their stories underscore a universal truth—every woman, irrespective of her journey, craves a space where she can express her sexuality and her body without judgment.
Recently I had a woman fresh out of a two-decade-long abusive relationship, who signed up for all my workshops. She told her story during the introductory circle to teary eyes. Throughout the day, I watched as she gradually transformed. Initially hesitant, her body language evolved—becoming more open and positive. By day’s end, her radiant smile, hearty laughter, and the uninhibited joy with which she danced spoke volumes. It was as if she had shed the weight of years in mere hours.
Stories like hers are not uncommon. After every workshop, I receive messages of praise, not just for the dance steps or techniques, but for fostering a sanctuary where women can rediscover themselves, embrace their vulnerabilities, and revel in newfound confidence.
These are the stories and experiences that make burlesque a subversive art form. It is still often misunderstood and relegated to the fringes by conservative critics, and the path isn’t without its thorns. I still get the occasional online message or comment from some nameless account telling me to “put some clothes on” or “stop sexualising myself”. But I take it in my stride, knowing that even outside my workshops, we’re seeing a paradigm shift in the world of burlesque. It is no longer merely an aesthetic showcase for men’s pleasure. Most of my audiences now comprise women, coming together in a jubilant acknowledgment of the female form in all its diversity. This historical art form has been reclaimed as a tool wielded by women and queer individuals to challenge societal norms and tell their own stories.
Every year, there is more diversity and representation in our community, and the stage continues to become a space where societal standards dissipate, replaced by a chorus of cheers for unapologetic self-expression.
Burlesque isn’t just a dance; it’s a revolution. One where every shimmy, tassel twirl, and wink is a battle cry.