World’s most famous stripper
This queen of burlesque is best known for her signature six-million-dollar striptease, in a diamond-encrusted martini glass with a diamante G-string.
In Sydney as guest editor of Harper’s Bazaar, Dita Von Teese has also presented a cheque of $100,000 to the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation on behalf of the M.A.C. AIDS Fund.
After hitting the party scene this week with her appearance at the Australian Fashion Week party, she was more than happy to invite her gay fans along.
It feels great having the support of the gay and lesbian community, Von Teese told Sydney Star Observer.
I had someone telling me the other day that I had a long career ahead of me because, when the gays love, they love forever. So I said, -˜Well, that’s great because I couldn’t think of anything I’d like better than having fans who are of all orientations.’
With many drag queens imitating her style, her tips to remember are: red lipstick, high heels, stocking garters and lots of feminine toys to play onstage with.
It’s great that people are embracing it and finding out what burlesque is, and striptease, and that all the people out there are uncovering their inner sex kitten, she said.
Born Heather Sweet in a Michigan farming town, Von Teese grew up fascinated with films and actresses such as Rita Hayworth and Betty Grable but says that she has never tried to copy any one person.
I’ve taken inspiration from pin-up art and taken inspiration from all over the place, and that’s what the key is, to try to bring your own personality to what you do, Teese said.
Although criticised for her fetish modelling and seductive routines, Von Teese continues to discover her inner sexuality despite the critics.
I was just always up for the adventure and nobody was going to stop me from having those adventures. Even though what I was doing was risqu?’m still ready to keep my life together.
There are always people who believe the formula for success is to follow in the footsteps of pop stars and you’ve got to be sexy and tall. I want to be the world’s greatest stripper. What’s wrong with that?
Since her relationship with Goth-rocker Marilyn Manson ended in December 2006, going through a divorce and living in the media spotlight became quite hard for the entertainer.
It’s definitely something I’ve had to deal with over the past six months and I just always remember this is all part of the adventure. I know that things aren’t always going to be perfect, and things happen for a reason.
Everyone has these difficult periods, no matter who you are. I just feel like it’s part of my job to keep it together. I want women of the world to know that I know what they go through, and it doesn’t matter what you look like and it doesn’t matter who you are, we all go through these same emotions and there’s no need to feel sorry for yourself as we all go through pain and phases.
