Crazy Horse is a unique burlesque show, bringing together unparalleled creativity, performance, lighting and technology – and recently, the Crazy Horse cabaret guest stars have been taking the show to another level at its home on Avenue George V in Paris.
The Crazy Horse cabaret has been making magic since 1951 when it was opened by Alain Bernardin who personally operated it for decades until his death in 1994.
While other burlesque and cabaret shows can often come and go, the secret of success for Crazy Horse is essentially creativity. Something that the new management understood when they took it over in 2005 and decided to start featuring famous and prestigious artists as Crazy Horse cabaret guest stars for a limited number of shows. This has added to the kind of buzz that’s kept the venue in the spotlight while staying true to its creative roots.
Who are the Crazy Horse cabaret guest stars?
As well as a troupe of incomparable regulars, the following world-famous performers have graced the stage as guest stars and brought their inimitable talents to the Crazy Horse stage in Paris and stages further afield.
Dita Von Teese
Naturally, the Queen of Burlesque, Dita Von Teese has appeared several times as a Crazy Horse guest star with her debut back in October 2006. During that run of shows, she paid tribute to Miss Candida, one of the first Crazy Horse dancers, through the already legendary number, Le Bain as well as delivering three other world-exclusive acts.
Three years later, she returned and added an updated Le Bain act together with new performances to the show. One of the key standouts was ‘Teese’ing which saw Dita updating a classic performance from the show’s repertoire.
Dita Von Teese said of her celebrated Crazy Horse guest star residency,
I learned a lot about myself doing those shows at The Crazy Horse – how I do what I do. It’s not just about remembering choreography. You have to go through different things in your life – I love when someone wins against the odds.’
Take a look at one of her iconic performances below:
Pamela Anderson
In 2009, Baywatch icon Pamela Anderson joined the troupe – all due to a chance encounter in Las Vegas between her and Andrée Deissenberg, the general manager of the Crazy Horse Paris. It was something she’d always wanted to do.
As well as performing in the Finale with the Crazy Girls, saluting, Pamela straddled a Harley and slowly stripped in an original number, specially created for her to a melody written by Serge Gainsbourg “Je n’ai besoin de personne en Harley Davidson” which was sung by Brigitte Bardot.
Brigitte even sent her a message of encouragement the night before her first show.
Carmen Electra
In 2009, another Baywatch icon, former Pussycat Dolls guest star and Prince protegee, Carmen Electra also took to the stage, but at MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris in Vegas.
In rehearsals, I started off wearing a full bra and full panties, with full stockings. And I like that look. But I felt in a way, if I stayed in that look for the whole show, it would cheat the audience a little bit. And yeah, I want everyone to have a good time.”
Violet Chakchi
June 2024 has seen Ru Paul’s Drag Race seventh season winner Violet Chakchi performs at Crazy Horse, a long cherished dream of this unique drag queen.
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Famed for her confidence, impeccable fashion sense and acrobatic and dancing skills, Violet Chachki will be the very first male bodied showgirl to perform the most iconic acts of the show, adding her signature touch to Attitude, Lay, Laser, Lay, Scanner and You Turn Me On.
Performing on the Crazy Horse Paris stage is a dream come true. By stepping into the shoes of a Crazy Girl, I want to celebrate the essence of the divine feminine and pay homage in my own way to this place and to these incredible dancers, who have deeply inspired me since I first I attended a Crazy show nine years ago” explains Violet Chachki
What better way to celebrate unity in diversity?
Lisa from BlackPink
Lisa, international star and K-pop icon, set the Crazy Horse Paris stage alight on September 28, 29 and 30, 2023 with five exclusive performances that left an indelible impression on both the audience and her fans all over the world.
She performed such iconic acts as “Miss Astra”, “Miss Astra Is Back”, “Crisis? What Crisis?” and “But I’m a Good Girl!”, always adding her own personal touch. Her show was attended by Rosalia, Tyga and, of course, the three other members of BlackPink: Rosé, Jisoo and Jennie
Her performances however caused a lot of upset: Lisa’s account on Chinese social media platform Weibo was blocked, amid speculation it was to do with her appearance.
Her performance was a dream come true for her, having always wanted to be part of the cast.
Conchita Wurst
Austria’s 2014 Eurovision winner, Conchita Wurst performed several exclusive acts, from November 9th to 15th 2014 at the iconic venue. Conchita’s act was reminiscent of a painting while the other dancers on stage wore little more than fake beards in the act.
To create four brand new numbers especially for Conchita Wurst, artistic director, Andrée Deissenberg called on an exceptional artistic team. Direction and choreography were entrusted to Bianca Li, Spanish dancer, choreographer and film director while Conchita’s costumes were designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier with shoes by Christian Louboutin, highly acclaimed shoemaker of the stars.
Meanwhile, the revue’s official poster, above, was conceived by the artistic duo, Pierre et Gilles.
Originally, Conchita, whose real name is Tom Neuwirth said the prospect was intimidating.
I visited the show and I was like, ‘I’m not good enough, I’m not sexy enough, I don’t move that well, you know. I’m just a singer. And now … it feels quite good. It’s a match.”
The performances were mischievous and provocative, in true Crazy Horse style!
Viktoria Modesta
Viktoria Modesta is a bionic pop artist based in Los Angeles who defines her work as post-human and post-disability. Her aim is to combine visual and performance art with technology, science and medicine.
She described her performance as “intense, hard but gentle and transcendent.”
As I have been to Paris many times and have seen the Crazy Horse Paris show on a few occasions, I have always found it so charming and classy and always perfectly executed.
“Many things motivated and excited me to collaborate. My work has been moving into a direction further and further away from traditional entertainment with more art/tech fashion projects and this year I really feel like it’s time to bring all of the futuristic things I am excited about, back into a more traditional space with iconic brands that are really interested in innovation.”Being able to perfect a show and work with one of the world’s tightest productions and perform with such talented dancers is really a challenge and an opportunity I could not refuse.”
Kelly Brook
When Crazy Horse burlesque took over the South Bank for a week in London back in November 2012, who better to work her magic as part of the ensemble than former Big Breakfast presenter, Kelly Brook?
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She performed the Crazy Horse classic, Lecon d’erotisme as well as taking on the role of Miss Bisou during the show.
Talking to the Guardian, Kelly said,
After seeing the show in Paris a few years ago, I have dreamed of becoming a Crazy Horse dancer. The costumes, lighting and choreography make it the best cabaret in the world.”
To find out more about Crazy Horse burlesque and book tickets, please visit their official website: lecrazyhorseparis.com
All pictures via Crazy Horse.
