Originally from Newport, Arkansas, Jake Dupree made their burlesque debut in Dita Von Teese’ Von Follies show performing her martini glass act, and went on to headline shows at the Musée Des Arts Décoratifs at the Louvre in Paris, the Wintergarten Varieté in Berlin, and The Windmill Soho in London. The first non-binary person to perform at the iconic Crazy Horse Paris, and the second non-binary person featured in Playboy, Jake has been a lingerie model for Elle Magazine, Honey Birdette and Playful Promises among others, and recently finished a Las Vegas residency performing as an opening act for Kylie Minogue and Christina Aguilera’s shows at the Venetian. Now, they make their West End debut in Burlesque the musical at the Savoy Theatre, originating the role of Trey/Chardonnay.
Here’s their 21.
1. How would you define yourself in three words?
Kind, joyful, mischievous.
2. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
I would say Matt Damon as in The Talented Mr. Ripley.
3. What is your biggest strength?
I think my biggest strength is my resilience. I have always believed in myself, and there have been so many times in my life where someone tried to block me from my blessings. I persisted, though, and continued to believe I could accomplish the things I have set out to achieve.
4. What is your biggest weakness?
I think my biggest weakness is insecurity. It is an evil beast I have to keep control of at all times. There is still a part of me that believes I am not good enough, but I have been able to really get more control of that lately. It feels really peaceful.
Jake Dupree by Max Bronner
5. When are you most happy and inspired?
I am the happiest and most inspired in a rehearsal room and performing onstage. I feel like my super self in both of those spaces. I feel free!
6. What is your favourite on-screen burlesque moment from film or TV?
My favorite on-screen burlesque moment would have to be the striptease Natalie Wood does in Gypsy. There is a particular yellow costume I am obsessed with during that number, and I adore her performance as Gypsy Rose Lee.
7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Something Dita Von Teese told me, when I was first learning her giant martini glass number, always sticks with me: never beg for applause while onstage. I have definitely adopted that, and I think if I have not done enough onstage to warrant applause then I do not get to receive that applause.
Jake Dupree by Carianne Older
8. If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be?
I would love to switch places with the author Taylor Jenkins Reid for one day. I LOVE to read, and I am such a huge fan of her work! Authors are the people I fangirl over, and I would love to see how she works to create such beautiful fiction!
9. What’s the biggest myth or misconception about burlesque?
That we are all tawdry and hypersexual people. I think there is a certain sexualization of burlesque performers that is sort of thrust upon us from people who don’t know, or care to know, the artistry that we are putting out into the world.
10. If you could only perform to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Too Darn Hot by Ella Fitzgerald.
Jake Dupree by Max Bronner
11. What surprisingly useful things do you have in your show case?
I come very prepared with my show case. I always have a small sewing kit, E6000 and backup rhinestones, extra stockings, hairspray, makeup touch-up things, and ALWAYS body makeup and something shiny to make my skin look wet!
12. Do you have a backstage ritual?
My backstage ritual is just breathing. I try to calm myself and center myself so I can go out and slay!
13. What advice would you give to new performers starting out today?
I think my advice would be to truly believe in yourself and back yourself 1000%. Even if you have to be a little delusional, believe in what you are doing. Your instinct to follow and pursue that idea is valid and real. If you are passionate about it, other people will be too. And also – do your homework! Truly know about the industry you want to be in. It is a very important thing to do your research and know your references.
Jake Dupree (top left) in the Burlesque musical London cast photo, by Haris Nukem
14. What is your proudest achievement?
This is so tough! There are so many I am proud of, but I think my proudest achievement is being the first non-binary person to perform at the Crazy Horse in Paris. It is still surreal to me that I got to perform there!
15. What is your biggest regret?
My biggest regret is not starting my journey in the burlesque world sooner. It really unlocked some major doors for me, and I wish I’d had the self belief to start sooner. However, I think everything happens in the time it is supposed to happen.
16. What is the biggest challenge facing today’s burlesque scene?
I think the biggest challenge facing today’s burlesque scene is continuing to expand the inclusivity of it all. There are so many different types of people who currently do and want to do this artform, and all of them should feel validated and accepted and seen. There has definitely been a lot of progress made, but there is continued work to do!
17. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing when you started out in burlesque, what would it be?
One thing I would tell myself is to not seek validation from others. It does not matter what anyone else thinks. You just go for it!
Jake Dupree by Max Bronner
18. What is a cause or issue that’s very important to you?
It is definitely difficult to pick one. The one I do want to highlight and always advocate for is trans rights. Trans people are truly the pillar of the queer community, and they have taken the brunt of so much hate and anguish. They deserve to live happy, peaceful, and successful lives. The amount of violence that takes the lives of so many trans people, especially trans women of color, is horrific. It is inhumane.
19. What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to?
Currently I am reading a book called Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I am watching Real Housewives of Atlanta and Overcompensating. I am listening to Olivia Dean’s new song Nice to Each Other. I also love a podcast and constantly listen to Pod Save America, Las Culuristas, and Giggly Squad.
20. If you could share a dressing room with one performer for the rest of your career, who would it be?
Probably Jessabelle Thunder or Tito Bonito. I have so much fun with the two of them, and it feels good to get ready with them beside me!
21. What would you like your life and career to look like in 10 years time?
I have some very specific things I would like my life and career to look like in 10 years: I’d love to become the first non-binary person to compete on Strictly Come Dancing; the novel I’m currently writing is a huge success and made into a mini-series; have my own lingerie line for all genders; be a guest judge of RuPaul’s Drag Race; appear in some publications like Playboy (again) and Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition; walk in the Victoria’s Secret or Savage Fenty fashion show; own a home; have a window seat in said home to read, and have four dogs and three cats.
Visit www.jakedupree.com and follow Jake Dupree on Instagram.