Born in Messina, Sicily, but based in Milan for over twenty years, Ella Bottom Rouge brings her Mediterranean roots and sharp queer sensibility to the stage. With an acting background, she’s been performing burlesque committedly since 2017 after three or four years of training.
Ella’s burlesque practice centres ‘body reclamation, queerness, irony, and unapologetic sensuality’.
Here’s her 21.
1. How would you define yourself in three words?
Quirky. Sexy. Mediterranean.
2. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Probably my killer. A dream of mine is to be one of the main characters in a Dario Argento movie, and maybe die horribly in it!
3. What is your biggest strength?
Turning vulnerability into power on stage, and in classes as well. I often get emotional or even cry. Speaking the truth is so crucial to me, and showing your human side, too. I’m a cancer – I feel literally everything!
4. What is your biggest weakness?
Absolutely myself. I’m a giant over-thinker. In the last year or so I am finally accepting and seeing that I can do good things and that I am worth it. Seeing myself through my burlesque journey is helping me come out as fierce as I truly am!
5. When are you most happy and inspired?
When I feel completely free in my whole body. No background noise, no pressure from society, no age or body standards – just my body and mind.
6. What is your favourite on-screen burlesque moment from film or TV?
You don’t have to ask me twice! The cunnilingus scene in Tournee, by Matieu Almaric. Wish all backstages were that fun!
7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
“Do you know you can go bigger than this? ‘Cause I know you do.” Having someone around who roots for you is crucial. My whole perception of myself changed in a second.
8. If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be?
Non-burlesque related, a doctor – someone that can cure and help even in horrible difficult times. Otherwise Catherine D’Lish – I would roll myself in her fantastic pieces all day.
9. What’s the biggest myth or misconception about burlesque?
That it’s just about taking clothes off and it’s a solo act. It’s not true! It takes a village to build a community, create shows and culture, and teach from class to class all over the world. Even to be a better artist you need people, colleagues and friends.
10. If you could only perform to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Wipeout by Incredible Bongo Band – from one of my favourite acts to perform. It brings me pure joy and makes my jelly shake!
11. What surprisingly useful things do you have in your show case?
I use body tape to close my ‘situation’ – she wants freedom! Plus PocketCoffee, an Italian chocolate praline with, guess what, coffee inside! I always need fuel especially for late night shows.
12. Do you have a backstage ritual?
I use only jasmine perfume; it gets me in character instantly. Before stepping on stage I say some affirmations.
13. What advice would you give to new performers starting out today?
Find your people and family before you chase stages. Again, community is SO important. Study, do your research, find your unique vibe, find yourself. Go to see shows, do not take rejections personally, and remember that while we can be a community, it is first of all a business. We cannot fit in every spot and we can’t do it all, but we can be very good at one thing. And last but not least: how do you see yourself in five years? Are you still doing burlesque? If yes is your answer, do not quit. Be consistent and you got this.
14. What is your proudest achievement?
Building a school of burlesque where really EVERYONE is welcome. Every body, ability, your present, past and future, every gender, size and shade of colour is welcome.
15. What is your biggest regret?
I don’t have regrets. I do believe good things happen in their time. At the beginning of my career I had to slow down a lot due to health issues affecting some members of my family. This, of course, took away a lot of space from me – creatively, professionally, and even on a personal level.
Looking back, that pain has been ‘useful’ to me because I was able to transform it. I believe it has shaped me into the person and the artist I am today. One thing I always remind myself is that sometimes it’s not about what happens to you but how you manage to transform it – and what it makes of you.
16. What is the biggest challenge facing today’s burlesque scene?
Surviving economically while staying radical. If this is a job for you and income is crucial, saying no to offers that are not aligned to your work ethic is very important. Burlesque can be very expensive, especially in this global economy.
17. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing when you started out in burlesque, what would it be?
You are allowed to take up space – all of it. And you can talk and be loud and proud about yourself, even if they don’t want you to be.
18. What is a cause or issue that’s very important to you?
Queer and lesbian visibility, and overall women and minority safety.
19. What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to?
I just started a book gifted by a good burlesque friend about queer women, and I always listen to ABBA because their music makes me laugh. I’m watching a medical drama series just to improve my English while I rhinestone to death!
20. If you could share a dressing room with one performer for the rest of your career, who would it be?
Angie Pontani, the Italian Stallionette herself. I am lucky, though, because last year I had the chance to share one with some really big icons. Let’s just say I’m manifesting Angie!
21. What would you like your life and career to look like in 10 years time?
Like it is now, but bigger! Still performing, still teaching, bigger productions and bigger stages. Plus a new car and dangerously sexy silver hair.
Visit ellabottomrouge.com and follow Ella Bottom Rouge on Instagram.