A ‘full-time professional’ since 2017, Misty Lotus is an Indo-Swiss burlesque artist and fire eater, based in Lausanne, Switzerland. She’s headlined at the Strasbourg Burlesque Festival, Zurich Burlesque Festival, Bohemian Burlesque Festival, Oslo Burlesque Festival and Malta Burlesque Festival, and performed in three continents and fifteen countries. She opened the Swiss Burlesque Academy in 2019, and as producer of Burlesque Extravaganza and Burlesque Circus via Misty Lotus Productions, she deliberately casts BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ performers and an array of performances styles, ranging from classic burlesque to Drag Kxngs and Queens.
Here’s their 21.
1. How would you define yourself in three words?
Visionary, empowering, resilient.
2. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
This is a tough question — there aren’t a lot of mixed-race South Asian actors out there who I feel fully represent me, so I’m honestly not sure yet. But I do know that I’d want the creators of Everything Everywhere All At Once to direct it! I’d want the film to be as wild, emotional, genre-bending, and unexpectedly powerful as that.
3. What is your biggest strength?
My ability to transform vision into reality, for myself and for the countless acts I’ve helped create.
4. What is your biggest weakness?
I have a tendency to take on too much, and carry it all on my own. It’s rooted in passion and perfectionism I suppose, which seems like a generic answer, but it’s true! I overwork myself and have to actively take action to step back and self care because it doesn’t come naturally to me.
Misty Lotus by Veronika Marx
5. When are you most happy and inspired?
Anytime I’m in the audience for anything creative – concerts, films, musicals, plays, and burlesque shows of course. Or right after I’ve come off stage after a great performance; I feel energized, happy, and like I have the power to do anything in the world!
6. What is your favourite on-screen burlesque moment from film or TV?
When I was 11-12, I saw a documentary about go-go dancers on one of the French TV channels. It was way too early, but super inspiring as it was the first time I saw so many different bodies on TV, including an artist I am now sure was Tura Satana twirling tassels on stage in her late years!
7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
“You don’t have to set yourself on fire to keep others warm.”
Misty Lotus by Betty B Photography
8. If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be?
Beyoncé! No hesitation! On a day she’s touring, I would love to know how it feels to command the stage with that level of precision, professionalism, and working with so many people who are excellent in the business. I would learn so much from the experience.
9. What’s the biggest myth or misconception about burlesque?
People love to say, “Burlesque is for everyBODY,” but in my experience, it’s not. I’ve spent my whole career — and still do — fighting against euro-centric beauty standards, racism, and fatphobia. When I step backstage or onstage, I’m constantly having to prove myself, my worth, and my artistry. Meanwhile, white, skinny performers are assumed to belong there, simply because they fit the mainstream ideal.
10. If you could only perform to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Santushti by Sivamani, just because it’s in my newest act and doesn’t feel old yet.
Misty Lotus by Veronika Marx
11. What surprisingly useful things do you have in your show case?
Nothing! My costumes are all heavy and take up too much space, so I don’t have room for anything useful or extra. When I tour it’s 2-3 costumes, and three leggings and tops I alternate wearing for days.
12. Do you have a backstage ritual?
I do a form of light meditation that allows me to connect to whichever God or Goddess I am needing on that day, as well as my ancestors who are a great point of inspiration to me. I then listen to music (not of my act, I have a hype up playlist) and watch my face transform in the mirror. When I see ‘her’, I’m ready to go on stage.
13. What advice would you give to new performers starting out today?
There’s only one you. Everything you do, do it with authenticity. And remember, everything you think is wrong with you is actually a strength in disguise.
14. What is your proudest achievement?
In 2017, I wrote down that I would create a school where everyone would be welcome and celebrated no matter their gender, their style or ethnicity, and I would create a community that’s helpful and supportive for them. I have done that with the Swiss Burlesque Academy.
15. What is your biggest regret?
I don’t have any regrets because I feel everything happens when you are ready for it.
16. What is the biggest challenge facing today’s burlesque scene?
Money! The burlesque scene is suffering from low-paying gigs, but also from training audiences that doorsplit and tip-based shows are the norm. It’s so hard to come back from that and charge a proper amount for tickets when people are used to seeing naked bodies for free.
17. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing when you started out in burlesque, what would it be?
You are beautiful, you are enough, and you don’t need to change who you are.
Misty Lotus by Lucie Kout
18. What is a cause or issue that’s very important to you?
Diversity on stage. As a producer, that has always been my motivation for my productions. Seeing different bodies on stage is what I missed out on when I started burlesque, and it still is a huge issue now, so I make it a priority to book the show I would love to watch.
19. What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to?
The soundtrack to Sinners, my fave movie of 2025. Watching the new season of The Last of Us. I am not currently reading anything special, but I am re-playing Breath of the Wild on Switch.
20. If you could share a dressing room with one performer for the rest of your career, who would it be?
Foxy Lexxi, because she is so fun! But also, I look up to her and have great respect for her artistry! Or Rebelle Bettie, my bestie and partner in crime!
21. What would you like your life and career to look like in 10 years time?
As a producer, six sold out big productions a year that are well paid, where I have artistic freedom and a queer, fun-filled audience in the seats! As an artist, two monthly residencies a year, a six week tour of the US and Canada, and regular performances wherever I am living.
Visit www.mistylotus.com and follow Misty Lotus on Instagram.