In partnership with MAISON BURLESQUE online
WELCOME TO THE BURLESQUE TOP 50 2026 VOTING SEASON
This year’s voting opens alongside the US midterm elections, at a time when the importance of democracy, and the rights and freedoms it protects, could scarcely feel more urgent. For our colleagues, friends and readers in the United States, the stakes are profound. And for those of us watching from elsewhere in the world, there is no pretending that the consequences will stop at the US border.
Meanwhile, across the burlesque world, the pressures continue to mount. Rising costs, shrinking opportunities, tightening budgets and disappearing venues are making it harder to create, produce and sustain the work we love. Behind every dazzling spectacle is an increasingly difficult balancing act, and people working extraordinarily hard to keep the lights on.
These are, of course, very different kinds of votes, with vastly different consequences. But as we gather for the eighteenth year of the Burlesque TOP 50, there is something worth holding onto in the simple act of participating, paying attention and making our voices heard.
In an industry that has always made something remarkable out of resistance, reinvention and sheer determination, this annual tradition offers a chance to recognise not only the people who dazzle us, but those who build, nurture, challenge and sustain our art form. The familiar faces and the unsung forces. The established names and the new voices. Those who keep creating, even when the spaces and resources to do so are disappearing.
So, in a year of considerable uncertainty, I warmly invite you to join thousands of fellow artists, industry professionals, readers and fans in celebrating the people who have made a difference in 2026. To look beyond the obvious, consider the contributions that might otherwise go unseen, and take part in a collective celebration of everything our community continues to create, defend and make possible.
Whether this is your first vote or your eighteenth, please take a moment to read the Essential Info below, including dates, guidance and important rules.
Vote and share with integrity.
Holli (EIC).
with thanks to lead sponsor: MELBOURNE FESTIVAL OF TEASE
A seguito di numerose richeste, e’ ora disponibile la guida tradotta in italiano.
ESSENTIAL INFO:
VOTING OPENS: Monday NOVEMBER 2ND 2026
VOTING CLOSES: Monday NOV 30TH 2026
How is the TOP 50 decided?:
The annual Burlesque TOP 50 is determined by an open, public vote, NOT by 21st Century Burlesque. There is NO pre-selection, shortlist or application process.
You do not need to apply, register or contact us to be considered. Anyone involved in burlesque can receive votes. The voters decide who makes the list.
Who can vote?:
Anyone who genuinely follows or participates in burlesque! Performers, non-performing industry professionals, readers and fans from anywhere in the world.
In 2025, 42.3% of voters were performers, 15.2% were non-performing burlesque professionals, and 42.5% were fans and readers.
You don’t need to be an expert, but you should be familiar enough with burlesque to independently choose at least five people you genuinely want to vote for.
Please don’t recruit friends, family or colleagues who have no real interest in burlesque simply to secure votes for yourself or someone else, or supply them with additional names to fill out the voting form.
Who can I vote for?:
Anyone involved in burlesque, including performers (solo or group), producers, costumiers, photographers, educators, creative and technical professionals, and everyone contributing behind the scenes.
You can also vote for yourself.
Each ballot requires a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 names. Repeating a name does not count as an additional vote for that person.
Remember, you’re voting with 2026 in mind, not simply for your all-time favourites. Consider the people who have made a meaningful contribution to burlesque this year.
Can I ask people to vote for me?:
Yes, but there is an established etiquette around how you do it. A polite invitation to consider your work is perfectly acceptable. Spamming, repeated requests, pressuring people, offering incentives or organising coordinated campaigns to gather votes are not.
These rules also apply to campaigning on someone else’s behalf.
I monitor voting patterns, social media activity and reports of inappropriate behaviour to identify potential attempts to manipulate the results.
An example of an acceptable post:
“Voting is now open for the Burlesque TOP 50 2026. If you have enjoyed my [performances/events/work/contributions] to burlesque this year, I hope you will consider nominating me.”
You can also simply share the voting page and encourage your local or national burlesque community to participate, without promoting any particular names. This is actively encouraged.
The broader the participation, the more representative and inclusive the poll.
Should I share who I voted for?:
I strongly discourage publicly sharing lists or screenshots of your voting selections, even if you’re not explicitly encouraging others to vote for the same people.
Publicly revealing your choices can influence other voters and encourage people to follow existing preferences rather than make their own independent decisions.
I encourage everyone to spread the word and invite others to participate, but ask that each person makes their own choices independently.
When do we find out the results?: Results will be revealed in stages between Christmas and New Year 2026, counting down from number 50 to number 1.
with thanks to our supporting sponsors
