21st Century Burlesque Magazine is pleased to present the 17th Burlesque TOP 50 – the 50 most influential burlesque industry figures of 2025, voted for by thousands of burlesque fans and peers worldwide.
Let’s celebrate just some of the people who kept our art form and communities alive over the past year. Join the discussion with #burlesquetop50 and on 21st Century Burlesque Instagram.
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and creative 2026.
Holli Mae Johnson (EIC)
TOP 50 QUICK GUIDE
Founded in: 2009
Founded by: Holli Mae Johnson, founder and editor of 21st Century Burlesque magazine.
Decided by: Thousands of performers, non-performing professionals, fans and readers across the world.
Voting criteria: Votes for performing and non-performing industry professionals deemed “Most Influential” in the given year. It’s left to each voting individual to determine and declare who has impacted them and the burlesque scene. Open ballot, everyone free to participate.
Results: Processed, tallied and verified by Holli Mae Johnson, per voting rules.
Results announced: Between Christmas and New Year on 21st Century Burlesque website.
Previous NO.1s: In order, Dirty Martini (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016), Lou Lou D’vil (2013), Roxi D’Lite (2014), Kitten ‘N’ Lou (2015), Medianoche (2017), Zelia Rose (2018), Jeez Loueez (2019), Jeez Loueez and Lola Van Ella (2020), Ginger Valentine (2021 and 2022), Lou Lou La Duchesse De Riere (2023), Qween Quan (2024).
Follow 21st Century Burlesque on Instagram for news, views and updates, and check out previous charts here.
TOP 50 2025 VOTING BREAKDOWN
burlesque top 50 2025: results
20
Lou Lou la Duchesse de Rière
canada
1
jessabelle thunder
usa
BURLESQUE TOP 50 2025: SUB LISTS
The following four lists are based on overall voting data, and therefore include those who feature in the TOP 50 2025, above. All names are hyperlinked so you can follow or find out more about each performer featured.