Nami Flare is a performer, educator and ‘art enthusiast’, earning a BFA in Dance from Ohio State University in 2020. Once lured into the world of burlesque, she swiftly won Mx Ebony Burlesque Atlanta 2024, second runner up Miss Viva Las Vegas 2025, and recently took runner up for Best Debut at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend 2025. With African Diasporic dance roots, she works to ‘continue the legacy of melanated performers who came before her’.
Here’s her 21.
1. How would you define yourself in three words?
Foxy, spicy, unstoppable.
2. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
It would be Janelle Monae for sure!
3. What is your biggest strength?
My biggest strength is bringing people together.
4. What is your biggest weakness?
My biggest weakness is confronting drama.
Nami Flare by Frantz Cyriac
5. When are you most happy and inspired?
With a full belly and witnessing immersive art.
6. What is your favourite on-screen burlesque moment from film or TV?
My favorite on screen burlesque moment is Burlesque in Harlem (1949) as a whole. It was my first exposure to a full burlesque review with Black performers.
7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
‘Move with intention’.
Nami Flare by Frantz Cyriac
8. If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be?
He’s no longer alive, but I would love to switch with Geoffrey Holder. He was an artistic mastermind and had such a grand presence.
9. What’s the biggest myth or misconception about burlesque?
The biggest myth is that you always have to wear heels on stage. Yes I love me a cute heel, but when I perform without them I feel much more grounded in my act.
10. If you could only perform to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It would be Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock. It’s such a smoooove song. I would be cruising on the stage looking real fly every time.
Nami Flare by Denise Ghartley
11. What surprisingly useful things do you have in your show case?
My wig bag is surprisingly useful because I use it to store my tips so they’re not scattered all over the place. My bobby pins are very useful for clipping money and unclogging e6000.
12. Do you have a backstage ritual?
I put on my headphones and listen to my song over and over again while stretching and getting some groovy body isolations in. I also always prefer to do my makeup before getting to the venue. If I don’t do these simple things then I don’t perform my absolute best.
13. What advice would you give to new performers starting out today?
Always get on stage as your true self, do your research, and make sure you have a village lifting you up.
Nami Flare by Frantz Cyriac
14. What is your proudest achievement?
Taking a leap of faith to become a nomadic showgirl. I’m truly living my dream and have the community to support me through it.
15. What is your biggest regret?
I believe that every decision happens for a reason, so I don’t have any regrets.
16. What is the biggest challenge facing today’s burlesque scene?
Getting people to see the value of buying tickets to see our shows! It can be really hard to fill seats, especially when you’re competing with so many other forms of entertainment.
17. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing when you started out in burlesque, what would it be?
To kitten more shows so I could have more knowledge on the behind the scenes and art of teasing before going straight to performance. I would also tell myself to take my time on stage.
Nami Flare by Frantz Cyriac
18. What is a cause or issue that’s very important to you?
I am very passionate about arts education and arts-integrated learning for all ages.
19. What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to?
I am currently reading Poly Secure; listening to Afrobeats, Soca, Dancehall, 70s Funk, Soul and Disco, and the Assorted Chocolates podcast. I’m watching One Piece and The Wonder Years.
20. If you could share a dressing room with one performer for the rest of your career, who would it be?
My burly bestie, Cosmic Divinity. They would influence me to be punctual to call time, they have plenty of spatial awareness, and they know how to navigate when we both need our quiet time or kiking time.
21. What would you like your life and career to look like in 10 years time?
I would love to own my own multi-use space that welcomes an array of artists, and maybe even offering an artist residency program.
Follow Nami Flare on Instagram and visit her website.