Valerie Veils is a competitive gymnast turned burlesque performer, producer, and teacher based in the Pacific Northwest. Over the past eighteen years, Valerie has dazzled audiences at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender and Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender among many other events, securing numerous titles including ‘Duchess’ of Viva Las Vegas 2021, ‘Most Classic’ at the Hollywood Burlesque Festival 2023, ‘Princess’ of Imperial Burlesque Canada 2023, and ‘Most Dazzling’ competing for Mx Exotic World in May 2026.
Valerie has been a devoted troupe mate as part of Sinner Saint Burlesque in Seattle, Sin Sisters Burlesque in Santa Cruz California and TUSH Burlesque in Olympia, and currently produces PNW Burlesque Festival in Tacoma Washington and Best Coast Burlesque in Santa Cruz.
Here’s her 21.
1. How would you define yourself in three words?
Vivacious. Determined. Versatile.
2. Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Oh goodness, I don’t know! How about Florence Pugh? I had a rough childhood – I need an actress with depth.
3. What is your biggest strength?
My multiple tasking skills are through the roof. It makes me a good showgirl and nurse (which is my day job).
4. What is your biggest weakness?
Stage wise, I do too much – too many reveals, too many props, too much movement. I always have to cut costume pieces out for the final act to feel just right.
5. When are you most happy and inspired?
I love food; I think I’m most happy eating a delicious meal. If it’s after a show or with my favorite people then what a wonderful bonus!
I’m most inspired when I’m surrounded by like minded artists. It’s part of the reason why I love going to and producing a burlesque festival. A lot of performers keep themselves in a box by not performing outside of their circle/town, and it’s hard to get inspired and grow if you aren’t able to see the multitude of talent that’s really out there.
6. What is your favourite on-screen burlesque moment from film or TV?
Lucille Ball in Ziegfeld Follies – lets call it ‘Showgirl Moment’ (Yes, the pink pony scene). I used to stay up all night watching I Love Lucy on ‘Nick at Nite’ when I was very young. The first time I saw the pink pony scene I probably peed my pants a little.
7. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
That as a woman, I hold the power. I take that advice to heart as I move through this patriarchal world.
8. If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be?
That’s asking for issues! I like being me.
9. What’s the biggest myth or misconception about burlesque?
That it’s easy! I remember the first burlesque show I saw; I thought to myself, ‘I can do that’. Now it’s eighteen years later and I still often find myself, at least once or twice, laying on the ground in my practice space crying, thinking to myself, ‘How is this still so difficult?’
Most people have tried painting, singing or playing an instrument, for example, so they can relate to how difficult it is to be good or the best at it. That isn’t the case for burlesque: unless you’ve attempted to create an act and put it on stage, you have no clue the amount of time, talent, and determination it takes to be ‘good’ at it.
10. If you could only perform to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Shook Me by AC/DC. I grew up on classic rock, and if someone said it was okay to just tassel and assel twirl for four minutes then sign me up!
11. What surprisingly useful things do you have in your show case?
Slippers! It’s an underrated backstage need. I had five knee surgeries before the age of eighteen, so if I’m not performing somewhat barefoot then I’m waiting until the last minute to put my heels on.
12. Do you have a backstage ritual?
It’s not a ritual, but I enjoy taking backstage videos of myself being an absolute ham, and I call it ‘being back on the bullshit train’.
13. What advice would you give to new performers starting out today?
Entitlement isn’t cute. Respect those that paved the way for you, respect those that taught you, respect the producers who created the opportunities for you, and always say thank you along the way. Don’t forget that a lot of performers, producers and educators don’t get their accolades despite the hard work and energy they’ve put into their art and community, and in the long run, misplaced entitlement is not going to get you anywhere.
Confidence is not something burlesque is going to give you. Confidence is something you have to find within yourself and consistently keep working at. Figure out what makes YOU special and put it on stage – authenticity is where the magic is. Find a mentor or friend, or even pay someone who will give you honest feedback about your acts/performance, and then listen!
14. What is your proudest achievement?
The longevity of my passion for burlesque. It blows my mind when I truly look back at what I’ve got to do, all the wonderful people I’ve met, and all the things I’ve accomplished.
If I had to pick one thing though, it would be the PNW Burlesque Festival. The audacity that I had at the time to start producing a festival on my own – I’m so proud of that girl!
15. What is your biggest regret?
I regret not living in the moment. Capitalism and social media have tricked us into believing our value as humans comes from productivity, and I am SO done with it. I do find joy in being productive and accomplishing goals, but it’s got absolutely out of control. I want to soak in every moment, so I never have to regret it again!
16. What is the biggest challenge facing today’s burlesque scene?
I think the economy (at least in the US) is one the biggest challenges we’re facing as artists working in the gig economy. Income volatility is tremendously scary during economic downturns, and while everything is getting more expensive it’s hard to ask for more pay, or as a producer ask for patrons to pay more. With that said, I do think there is a special niche that burlesque can fall in to. When life feels rough, people crave experiences that take them out of their daily lives. We can create immersive and unique live experiences that you only get from a burlesque show, and I think it’s vital to remember that magic we can give to the audience, and how important it is for people right now.
17. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing when you started out in burlesque, what would it be?
I’d tell myself that it’s all going to work out, to keep going and that you’re on the right track. All your hard work is going to create something beautiful for yourself.
18. What is a cause or issue that’s very important to you?
Healthcare reform! I’m an operating room nurse when I’m not on stage, so I get the unique experience of seeing people and their families at the most vulnerable times in their life. To think that during these scary moments they also have to worry about paying tremendously large bills or being denied care and medication in one of the richest countries in the world… It just makes me sick, and I’ll continue to fight for human rights until I’m blue in the face.
19. What are you currently reading, watching, and listening to?
I’m a binge watcher; I’m currently rhinestoning to Search Party on Netflix and finished three seasons in two days (it was my only time to finish a new costume – don’t judge me too hard!). I’m one of those people who can watch a series over and over again. My go-to shows are Parks & Rec, Psych, Schitt’s Creek and Brooklyn 99.
20. If you could share a dressing room with one performer for the rest of your career, who would it be?
I’d choose a dressing room of new people over the same person over and over; the liveliness and energy of a new cast is always something special to be around.
21. What would you like your life and career to look like in 10 years time?
I’ve been on a stage since I was 23 and performing since I was a child, so a life without it doesn’t seem feasible. In ten years I’d like to have found the secret to a balanced life. I often struggle with juggling my day job and performing, and all the other things I enjoy in the world. I never imagined doing burlesque into my fifties, mostly because of my body, but if in my twenties you told me I’d be the best version of myself in my forties, I also wouldn’t believe you, so who knows what the future holds…
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