Dinah Might began her career in the early 90s as a Feature Entertainer in gentlemen’s clubs in Canada, and has performed across four continents in every genre of striptease. She has appeared twice at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend in Las Vegas, where she currently resides with an Extraordinary Ability visa. Dinah Might also teaches workshops worldwide. Here’s her 21.
1. How would you define yourself in three words?
Silly, confident, thoughtful.
2. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Jennifer Lawrence, Audrey Plaza or Margot Robbie.
3. What is your biggest strength?
Commanding a room.
4. What is your biggest weakness?
Procrastination.
5. When are you most happy and inspired?
When I am with my friends laughing and being silly, or when I watch any genre of amazing talented performance.
6. What is your favourite on-screen burlesque moment from film or TV?
The ‘Gotta Get a Gimmick’ number in Gypsy is so classic. Also Natalie Wood’s dressing room scene and her final stage scene. That glamour is intoxicating.
7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Reading Dita Von Teese’ quote, ‘You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there’s still going to be somebody who hates peaches.’ That quote has helped my fragile performer ego so much.
8. If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be?
Not a particular person, but I would love to inhabit the skill of a highly trained athlete like a gymnast, skateboarder, figure skater, ski jumper, etc., to feel the immense body fitness and control and the thrill of endorphins when they are in the zone. Also I would love to borrow the brain of a ridiculously educated person to appreciate the world through their eyes.
9. What’s the biggest myth or misconception about burlesque?
That it is a lesser art form because it involves stripping.
10. If you could only perform to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
ACDC’s TNT – gotta dance to my theme tune!
11. What surprisingly useful things do you have in your show case?
Everything I need ‘just in case’. I am a Burlesque Prepper.
12. Do you have a backstage ritual?
I arrive early to get a good spot backstage. I prefer to do my makeup at the hotel or at home so I can really concentrate, but I touch up backstage. Then I prep my costume and listen to my music. Once I am settled I love to socialise, but I know a lot of performers need quiet time so I try to hold back unless someone is very chatty.
13. What advice would you give to new performers starting out today?
Don’t copy. Be true to who you are but with the flexibility to evolve to your next level.
14. What is your proudest achievement?
Having a 31 year career, although I did pop in and out for many of those years. I started as Dinah Might in 1993 and I am still going! Also performing in so many different kinds of venues and events across four continents, from BHoF, theaters, supper clubs, night clubs, car shows, fetish events, sexpos, gentlemen’s clubs and as a dancer in a striptease revue show (Japan). The range, from opulent to spit and sawdust venues and everything in between, keeps it interesting.
15. What is your biggest regret?
Letting losses get me down and ruin my momentum rather than just having a cry/rest and brushing myself off.
16. What is the biggest challenge facing today’s burlesque scene?
The pay often doesn’t match the talent, but we love performing so it is what it is.
17. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing when you started out in burlesque, what would it be?
Everything can be worked on and improved. Your starting skills are not where you stay.
18. What is a cause or issue that’s very important to you?
Eating organic/biodynamic produce and grass-fed, ethically raised meat.
19. What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to?
I would like to list Kierkegaard and more deep philosophical reading, but my worst habit (that I am determined to crack) is watching aimless, unmemorable dribble on the net and neglecting reading.
20. If you could share a dressing room with one performer for the rest of your career, who would it be?
My friend Evelyn Carnate – Miss Burlesque UK and owner of the Soho Burlesque School in London; she is such a sweetheart.
21. What would you like your life and career to look like in 10 years time?
Perhaps I will be retired, but if I’m not then I always want to be in the next fun show that leaves me buzzing and feeling fulfilled.
Visit DinahMight.net and follow on Instagram. You can take a workshop with Dinah Might in London at the Soho School of Burlesque on June 8, 2024, but you’re advised to sign up quickly as other dates have sold out.
