The stunning amaing dancer, Violet Blaze, was the winner of Burlesque Idol 2012 and is going from strength to stripping strength. We caught up with this amazing hawt mama to get her burlesque story…
Violet Blaze Burlesque
Name: Violet Blaze
Signature act: Big Mama!!! This is my absolute favourite act that I have. Big Mama is my tribute to Mama Morton from Chicago. Ever since seeing this show… Both stage and screen… She is the character I most identified with. I took my inspiration from Queen Latifah’s version of this song.
I’ve been called Mama Hen for years by my peers, as I always used to look after those younger than me. As Mama Morton is also called this, it seemed like a no brainer! She is bold, sassy, sophisticated, commanding, strong, confident and is not afraid to flaunt those curves! My routine is all about that. It’s a sharp yet sultry tease punctuated with PLENTY of glitter, confetti and tassel twirling… I LOVE this routine!
How and why did you get into burlesque? After realising I would never be a size six Vegas chorus line girl, I decided to embrace my size 16 bootay… and shake it solo! I have always been such a dramatic character, very lively, forever dancing. Music is a huge part of my life, can’t go ANYWHERE without it!
After watching movies such as Chicago and Burlesque, I decided to look more into becoming my own showgirl. Even though there was no real burlesque in these movies but the flashing lights and glitter was enough to get me hooked!
I wanted an(other) expressive outlet. I am already very creative artistically but I wasn’t able to go to stage school which is what you need nowadays, if you want to get on the West End. I was yearning to be on stages worldwide and to hear the rapturous applause that I myself gave to performers I had seen. Burlesque was my answer !
How long have you been burlesquing? I have been burlesque dancing a year and 4 months. I was taught by Missy Fatale on the Burlesque Siren course, with my debut performance being at Proud Cabaret (City). What an AMAZING introduction to burlesque that was!!
Since then I have progressed really well. I went on to win Burlesque Idol 2012 in November (below), in March 2013 I was 1st Runner Up at the Pennsylvania Burlesque Festival in Philadelphia and came 1st place at both the Tea Time Tassel Off at the Welsh Burlesque Festival and the Burlesque Baby Awards in May 2013.
I am so grateful to all who have supported me in my journey, particularly my mother, for whom (like any other parent) it wasn’t easy for her to accept at first but with time and perseverance she has become a very important and supportive role in this part of my life.
What’s next? NEXT? I am currently working on my new act, The Cadbury’s Queen. As an avid fan of this brand and as I literally eat sleep and BREATHE the colour Violet, I felt it was only fair I pay tribute! I don’t want to give away too much… but it will be a very fun routine and my costume has had the hands of many friends involved, so I can’t wait to perform it so they can see what I have done with their handiwork !
I aim to perform overseas again, particularly would love to do Burlesque Hall Of Fame next year. That would be every shade of AWESOME!!
I thoroughly enjoy performing burlesque in the theatre and this is something I would most DEFINITELY love to do again. Having that experience in Philadelphia was really something else. When the building is purpose built for performance, you have no choice but to give it your absolute everything. I want that again!
Burlesque has taught me… to love myself. Like most people, I have had (and still have) many insecurities. But since doing it I have seen women of every shape and size imaginable, and they are proudly embracing themselves and letting go of their inhibitions.
I have learnt to really appreciate the female form and realise that we are ALL BEAUTIFUL. No matter what container we come in.
Burlesque has taught me that it’s not all about the money. Any burly girl will tell you that (to start with) burlesque does NOT pay the bills.
You really have to work. HARD. But you won’t get to the top unless you absolutely love what you do, are willing to work for free to begin with, put in 1000% all the time and can make the best out of any situation. I love what I do, and will keep aiming higher and higher!
Burlesque Ambition: My ambition is to do more shows in America. I know I have mentioned it a couple times now but my GOD they know how to go ALLLLL OUT with their costumes and routines! I am a massive show off (I mean this purely in the *on stage* sense !!!). The more glitz the BETTER! I really felt like I belonged there.
What does burlesque mean to you? Burlesque means more to me now than I ever thought it would. Beauty, unique, ravishing, lively, exhilarating, sensual, quirky, unity and elegance
See Violet Blaze perform and win Burlesque Idol 2012 with friend of Burlexe, Beatrix Von Bourbon on the judging panel:
If you’d like to be featured here, why don’t you drop us a line at burlexe@gmail.com and we’ll see what we can do…
Find out more about Violet Blaze on her website and check out more emerging talent with Jessica Stark, Grace Fury, Lolo Brow and Vivi Mae.
Burlexe is a sensational London burlesque show inspired by the women who created the genre and perform the art. It fuses burlesque performance with storytelling, dancing with acting.
Find out more about our unique burlesque show and join our mailing list.
(Image from Mr Suave)
