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21 Questions with Cleopantha – Burlesque’s Breakout Star

21 Questions with Cleopantha – Burlesque’s Breakout Star

Cleopantha by Veronika Marx

Everybody is talking about Cleopantha – the exciting British rising star who combines a high energy dance style with burlesque striptease and hip-hop. In 2020 she debuted at 29 on the Burlesque TOP 50 chart, and shot up to 5 in 2021. Get to know her better in 21 questions…

1. How would you define yourself in three words?

Fiery, fierce and unapologetic!

2. Who would play you in a movie about your life?

Halle Berry. I reckon she could throw a few epic drop splits after her performance in Catwoman.

3. What is your biggest strength?

My energy and dance style. I’m always unapologetically myself. I adore being on stage and I always give the same 110% if I have an audience of five people or 5000.

4. What is your biggest weakness?

My anxiety. I always speak openly about my mental health. Sometimes it makes me second guess and doubt myself.

Cleopantha by Veronika Marx
Cleopantha by Veronika Marx

5. When are you most happy and inspired?

Not to sound too cheesy, but I’m genuinely my happiest self when I’m on stage. It’s always been that way for me. Inspiration finds me at the most peculiar times. I could be in the middle of sewing one evening when – boom – an idea takes hold. I see inspiration as a puzzle. There are different pieces I collect or note down over time. Then one day, when I have all the ‘right pieces’, eureka! A new act is born!

6. What is your favourite on-screen burlesque moment from film or TV? 

Please don’t judge me. We know Burlesque the film isn’t an accurate representation of our scene, but when Christina Aguilera takes the mic and hits that note, I get goosebumps every time.

7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

That I should always be myself.

Cleopantha by Veronika Marx
Cleopantha by Veronika Marx

8. If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be?

Cardi B. I’m obsessed!

9. What’s the biggest myth or misconception about burlesque?

That you have to create an act that fits a particular aesthetic. Burlesque can be many different things. That’s partly what inspired my Jessica Rabbit act. I start off doing classic, then Cardi B drops and I switch it up. Drop splits and high kicks get the audience ‘shook’ every time! 

10. If you could only perform to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

WAP (Without a second thought!)


Cleopantha performing.


11. What surprisingly useful things do you have in your show case?

I usually bring my whole house with me to gigs, but I’d say my bag of spare pasties, scissors and my 100000 hair grips!

12. Do you have a backstage ritual?

I usually get an adrenaline rush just before I hit the stage. During those 2-3 minutes I close my eyes, focus on my breathing and centre myself.

13. What advice would you give to new performers starting out today?

Be inspired by things that have personal meaning to you. Be influenced but don’t try to be someone else. Listen to music that moves you, and if you have any strengths such as a great singing voice or playing an instrument, include them in your acts. Being yourself will be what makes you stand out. Just be unapologetically and beautifully you!

Cleopantha by Veronika Marx
Cleopantha by Veronika Marx

14. What is your proudest achievement?

Being voted number 5 in the Burlesque Top 50 2021. I didn’t expect it and I cried (happy tears) all evening – and for a number of days after!

15. What is your biggest regret?

Burlesque brings me so much happiness. My only regret would be that I wish I found the art form sooner (though it’s never too late to start).

16. What is the biggest challenge facing today’s burlesque scene?

Diversity. I think a lot of burlesque performers would agree this is an on-going struggle within the burlesque scene today.

17. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing when you started out in burlesque, what would it be?

Cleo. You’ll feel invisible and unrecognised for a period as you don’t have the most beautiful costumes, the slickest makeup or most bedazzling wigs. But your hard work and dedication will pay off over time, and you’ll meet the most amazing people on your journey.

Cleopantha by Veronika Marx
Cleopantha by Veronika Marx

18. What is a cause or issue that’s very important to you?

As well as the BLM movement, another social issue that is important to me is domestic violence. So many strong women in my life have been affected by it and I want to do more going forward to support others in the same situation, whether that’s working directly with charities or participating in more charity events that support those affected.

19. What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to?

I’m currently reading The Life Changing Magic of not Giving a F**k by Sarah Knight, and I’ve just finished watching Squid Game and the new season of You on Netflix. My music playlist changes daily depending on my mood, but today I’m listening to some No Doubt, Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat and Ariana Grande.

20. If you could share a dressing room with one performer for the rest of your career, who would it be?

Lilly SnatchDragon. I’ve always looked up to her and when I’m feeling low she always reminds me of my worth. We also love to discuss food because after burlesque, food is life!

21. What would you like your life and career to look like in 10 years time?

I hope that burlesque continues to bring me the same love and joy as it does today. I hope to still be performing of course, but I’m also confident that one day I can use my years of experience to nurture and support new burlesque artists far and wide.

From 18 May, Cleopantha joins the all star cast of The Grotteaux at South East London’s newest creative space, Woolwich Works. For ticket details click here.

You can visit Cleopantha at cleopantha.com and on Instagram.

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