Combining her background and training as a musical theatre performer, Serafina Hart is a multi-award-winning burlesque artist who, in 2024 alone, debuted in the Burlesque TOP 50 , won the ‘World Audience Classic Crown’ at the Zurich Burlesque Festival and triumphed as ‘Miss Nasty Burlesque’ at the Nasty Boys Burlesque Festival, Italy. She has graced some of the most prestigious stages in the world, including London’s historic Café de Paris, and has appeared in hit films and TV shows.
Here’s her 21.
1. How would you define yourself in three words?
Passionate, kind and driven.
2. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Jodie Comer. I think she’d rock being a brunette and would capture Serafina on and off the stage. On stage I like to channel elegance, glamour and enchant my audiences, but off stage I keep things pretty chill and I’m fairly down to earth.
3. What is your biggest strength?
Resilience.
4. What is your biggest weakness?
Impatience. I can be very patient with others in my life but I find it hard to apply to myself.
Serafina Hart by Belle Prive Photography
5. When are you most happy and inspired?
In the creation process. I adore collaborating with talented creatives to bring an act to life. Shout out to my nearly-name-twin Serefina Taylor for making me some absolutely GORGEOUS costumes over the last few years.
6. What is your favourite on-screen burlesque moment from film or TV?
Technically not my favourite or a single moment, but I recently finished The Marvellous Mrs Maisel series. I’ve loved seeing costuming and depiction of cabaret from that era.
7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
To be okay with a first draft. Most things will inevitably improve the more you do it, so why kick yourself if something isn’t absolute perfection at its debut?
Serafina Hart by Veronika Marx
8. If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be?
My husband (assuming we’d swap with one another), to gain such an insight and understanding of each other. Plus, he can eat gluten and I miss bread!
9. What’s the biggest myth or misconception about burlesque?
That it’s as simple as just getting your kit off. I find most people with this belief either A. haven’t seen burlesque before, or B. are reflecting something within themselves or a stigma they hold with that statement. Burlesque isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and that’s fine, but to diminish its rich history, the ability to create a character through storytelling and for a single performer to hold a room’s attention down to such a simple statement is laughable. For some it’s intense choreography and technical dance moves, for others it’s the ability to make an audience laugh until they cry – for some it’s both! The costuming, choreography, building anticipation, the ability to make a room full of people feel something… It’s a skill – it’s an art.
10. If you could only perform to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I’m currently performing to It’s Been a Long, Long Time by Helen Forest and Harry James on tour and I just adore it.
Serafina Hart by Veronika Marx
11. What surprisingly useful things do you have in your show case?
A mini foldable washing basket. It saves stage managers/kittens from running around trying to return discarded costume bits, or said costume being dumped on potentially dirty surfaces!
12. Do you have a backstage ritual?
I’ve never been one for a ritual but I do like to take a few deep breaths in the wings, and if I need to I’ll make my physical self larger by outstretching my hands, arms and legs. Taking up space before taking the stage can help me get into performance mode.
13. What advice would you give to new performers starting out today?
Focus on creating authentic work that excites you.
Serafina Hart by Antonioni Photography
14. What is your proudest achievement?
Placing in the Burlesque TOP 50 last year was a monumental surprise and truly humbling – I still can’t quite believe it!
15. What is your biggest regret?
Mistakes are only a bad thing if we don’t learn from them, so I try not to live with regrets.
16. What is the biggest challenge facing today’s burlesque scene?
We’ve lost a lot of venues and spaces to perform in; I think we’re seeing the impact the cost of living crisis is having on our industry across the board. Art and entertainment has and always will have value – we boost our local economies and small businesses, and socially we bring people together in an art form that can empower, shock, question and thrill its audiences. There are many ways to support our industry, from securing your tickets a little earlier if finances allow or sharing our work on social media if they don’t. In a time when many of us are surviving, it’s important that we nourish what it means to live.
17. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing when you started out in burlesque, what would it be?
Release the imposter syndrome – they’ve booked you for a reason!
Serafina Hart is crowned at the Zurich Burlesque Festival, by Stagetime.ch
18. What is a cause or issue that’s very important to you?
Gender bias in healthcare. We know that women are more likely to have autoimmune conditions, chronic pain, hormone related health issues and pregnancy related conditions, and yet there is still very little research done centering women. Many practices are outdated, and as a result women and gender minorities are gaslit, misdiagnosed and dismissed. I was once told by a doctor, “You’re an overly emotional woman; there’s nothing wrong with you.” But, as someone who now has their diagnosis and manages their rare condition – all while doing their dream job in their dream life, I urge you to be your own advocate and fight for your health. It’s worth it.
19. What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to?
I’m currently watching The Studio series and loving every episode so far. I’ve got a couple of songs on repeat at the moment in preparation for my biggest act yet coming later this year – sorry, no spoilers! And I only get to enjoy reading when I’m on holiday, so I’ll take this as a sign to book that trip!
20. If you could share a dressing room with one performer for the rest of your career, who would it be?
My tour colleague and work wife, Demi Noire. We’re in completely different wheelhouses but we inspire one another; she’s so talented and I feel lucky to call her a friend.
21. What would you like your life and career to look like in 10 years time?
I’ll have grown as an artist. Working more internationally, headlining more, earning more, learning more… just more!
Catch Serafina Hart on tour in An Evening of Burlesque and follow her on Instagram.