Meet the Latinas of Burlesque
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bianca Dagga (Courtesy of Bianca Dagga)
"While most of my performances tell stories about things other than my Latina identity, there is always a direct connection for me that comes from my roots."-Bianca Dagga (Courtesy of Bianca Dagga)
Chili Pepper (Burlesque Hall of Fame)
Chili Pepper (Burlesque Hall of Fame)
Grace Gotham (DallasPinUp.com)
Grace Gotham (DallasPinUp.com)
Grace Gotham (DallasPinUp.com)
Grace Gotham (DallasPinUp.com)
"I don't want to be Kita St. Cyr, the Puerto Rican burlesque performer. I want to be Kita St. Cyr, the burlesque performer who's also Puerto Rican."-Kita St. Cyr (Fernando Pacheco)
Kita St. Cyr (Fernando Pacheco)
Kita St. Cyr (Fernando Pacheco)
La Chica Boom (Bousa Concepts)
La Chica Boom (Amanda Brooks)
"Instead of ignoring the fact that the audience is actually seeing me as a stereotypical image of a Latina, I play with that. I bring to life the Chicana/Mexican-American/Mexican myths, the stereotypes thought of us. I bring them to life in order to laugh at them."-La Chica Boom (Hannah Quevedo)
La Chica Boom (POC Photo ©2010)
La Cholita (Courtesy of La Cholita)
La Cholita (S.H. Photo)
La Cholita (S.H.Photo 2007)
"All of my acts are inspired by my culture. Whether it's the food I eat to the festivities, I incorporate it into my art, just like any other artist does. My art happens to be burlesque."-La Cholita (Laura Byrnes )
La Cholita (S.H. Photo)
"Like many women I have known in the Hispanic community, I grew up strictly Catholic. My mom almost became a nun before I was born. It was hard to talk about sex or alternative ideas regarding spirituality or the creative urge growing up. As a performer now, I address all of these subjects and I have to say that it has helped to facilitate some profound emotional growth."-Little Luna (Johnny B)
Medianoche (MedianocheBurlesque.com)
Mitzi Dore (Burlesque Hall of Fame)
Mitzi Dore (Burlesque Hall of Fame)
Novita (Burlesque Hall of Fame)
Ricci Cortez (Burlesque Hall of Fame)
Ricci Cortez (Burlesque Hall of Fame)
Ricci Cortez (Burlesque Hall of Fame)
"Since burlesque is a classic art form, curves are loved and appreciated. And Latinas are known for having hourglass figures, which is another encouraging factor for women who may be body-conscious about their big hips (like me)."-Ruby Champagne (Courtesy of Ruby Champagne)
Ruby Champagne (Courtesy of Ruby Champagne)
Ruby Champagne (Angel Morales)
Ruby Champagne (Courtesy of Ruby Champagne)
"Burlesque is a great way to be uninhibited and cut loose…all apprehensions are out the window. It’s kind of like, why would anyone want to be in a rock band?"-Selene Luna (Austin Young)
Selene Luna (Oded Levy)
Selene Luna (Austin Young)
Selene Luna (Albert Sanchez)
Tongolele (Burlesque Hall of Fame)
"I grew up going to Mexican dances, surrounded by the most provocative women who didn't give a damn and knew they were sexy. That's what I wanted-to be free and not give a damn."-Viva Valezz! (Devyne.net)