How do you create a viral burlesque video?
Burlesque and film should be a marriage made in heaven, but how to make burlesque videos or deliver burlesque on YouTube that generates views and affirms you as the star that you are, is a mysterious art. Is there a secret recipe for success?
We’ve all uploaded our burlesque performance videos to YouTube and maybe had some success, but how to create a top-performing burlesque video or short film, one that generates views and engagement? (hmm, maybe we should be making some notes on this ourselves!!!)
We decided to take a look at the top ten burlesque videos on YouTube (as of July 2023 as these things tend to change as you know) to see if we could draw any conclusions.
And yeah, yeah, we know we should be considering TikTok too. Burlexe is on TikTok – #shamelessplug – offering you tutorials, music and much more but you may also want to have a look at our best burlesque artists on TikTok article.
OK, so let’s have a look at what’s ranking up the views: Naturally, as you’d expect with a million-dollar Hollywood film, Burlesque, the movie and its clips and musical numbers from Cher, Christina Aguilera and Kristen Bell attract the most attention – if you’re interested in such things, have a look at our article on Burlesque’s legacy.
Check out our burlesque short films, inspired by icons old and new.
Top-Performing Burlesque Videos
(Surprisingly) Almost none of the industry’s big stars, from now and in the past, are picking up views, so who is in the game? Who are YouTube’s biggest players?
Annika Burlesque (Cabaret Burlesque – Fin de curso 2018)
Two million-plus views for this classic burlesque act delivered with panache by a student, Annika Burlesque for the end of the Cabaret Burlesque course in 2018. Helped by a fabulous 50s soundtrack, sleek green evening dress and a novel way of removing shoes before syncing into ‘The Look of Love’ and some fluffy slippers. It’s charming for sure.
Rita Lynch – Following a bird (Ezio Bosso) fandance, 2019
As filmed performances in theatres go, this is one of the best – no silhouettes of heads and hats, tick! Despite a one-camera set-up, it’s lit beautifully and with a live pianist, it all helps elevate Rita’s artistic, elegant fan dance. If anyone tells you burlesque isn’t art, show them this Firebird Burlesque show performance from 2019.
Knight Rider Burlesque with Michelle L’Amour
The biggest burlesque star on the list, this is Michelle L’Amour’s show-stealing performance on America’s Got Talent. In front of a celebrity panel that includes David Hasselhoff, the Knight Rider theme obviously whips up the audience before Michelle sucker punches them with a strip from Mechanic to Minx. Cue people in the audience covering their faces with their hands. Best strip to a TV theme tune ever!
Solo burlesque Me too #girlpower
This is filmed at the vintage festival in Haguenau, France in 2022. Welcome Tiger Lili to the stage for a performance that features a French voiceover and a Meghan Trainor track – but not that track by Meghan Trainor. The vintage crowd are suitably wowed. We sense hashtag girlpower helped propel the views.
Magnolia Knife performs The Evening News – The Bombshell’s Ball October 2022
Newsreader-cum-standup (though really a burlesque tutor in real life obvs), Magnolia Knife really turns up the heat when she removes her glasses, discards her script and then her power suit to an 80s-style pump track (which could also double up as a TV theme tune – note to Michelle L’Amour). There’s nothing magnolia about this.
2020 Miss Burlesque Queensland – Evie Libertine – Unique
Another power-dressed burlesque act, Evie Libertine is a businesswoman who gets down to business as she sorts both her post and her skirt zipper before taking on the office photocopier. The track is ‘Hot in the City’ by Billy Idol. Exactly.
Burlesque dancer – Virginia Bell – Slow Dances
Something from a grainy black and white yesteryear – well, nearly – this burlesque act is a classic striptease performance from a classic performer, but with a contemporary something over the top. How burlesque used to be.
Note: The video is age-restricted and only available on YouTube.
Dorian Dennis vintage burlesque striptease 2
Another vintage performance: watch as Dorian dismantles her evening dress to a big band sound – you’ll know the track when you hear it – in what looks like someone’s front room (though of course, we know it’s not). A special shout-out goes to a pair of evening gloves that steal the show.
Burlesque Show Danielle Act La Rose
La Vie En Rose gets an airing with this Lydia Thompson (look her up) look with parasol and feather boa in what is billed as a Burlesque Factory. We like the sound of a Burlesque Factory.
Burlesque Stripper Candy Barr [HOT] ( Music – The Stroll)
There’s not so much strolling to be honest, more in the way of wiggling from Candy Barr (get it?!) in this retro-session. Candy’s more sexy than sweet, we’d say but very ap’peal’ing to use an old Ann Corio gag.
If you’re interested in the wiggle, we, or should I say Jo King, can help with that in our burlesque masterclass fyi.
How To Create A Burlesque Video That Gets Views
So what can we learn from all of this? Assuming you don’t work in digital marketing, it would seem that you don’t have to be a big star to be known for burlesque on YouTube, though it would help if you were born Cher or Christina Aguilera obviously. Otherwise, you may want to have been alive in the 50s and 60s and got someone to film you – maybe or maybe not in your front room.
For us mere mortals looking for our 15 seconds of fame here in the 2020s, we may be seeking to get ourselves into events that are being filmed – and the good news, it would seem, is that the quality of camera work, expensive sets, lavish costumes are no guarantee of views. Phew! Although your act may be obscured by the silhouette of someone’s head.
Or you can always get yourself on telly Michelle L’amour-style but how impactful the ‘Your Location + Got Talent’ TV show is on your career is still open to debate – unless you’re Susan Boyle.
