Sydni Deveraux has answered my 2013 pre-BHoF Q&A, and she will take to the stage in a matter of weeks at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend 2013. I put something lighthearted and fun together this year, and requested some extra ‘media’ from each contender.
When I’m on stage, I feel… Whole. Electric. I feel multiple possibilities.
When I’m on stage, I want the audience to feel… EXCITED/ENAMOURED
BHoF is special and important to me because… it’s the ultimate celebration of our legends, and it’s Mecca for strippers! It’s where I decided to keep performing at a time when I wasn’t sure if the art had what I needed.
I chose the act I am competing with because… it’s fun and shows off my abilities as a musician.
If I am crowned Queen… I would hope to further the history of burlesque and make it more visible to more people. It would also be an honour to be the first crowned African-American queen.
If I could speak to myself when I was a new performer starting out, I would say/tell myself… “Learn now how to use your body more effectively. Train it like a tool, worship it like a temple, and don’t be so hard on yourself when you have shows you aren’t in love with – it’s a learning process. Oh, and don’t forget to smile! Everyone loves a happy lady.”
Something that few people know about me is… I’m an introvert.
I am happiest when… I am dancing, performing, singing, with my husband, travelling, petting my puppies, creating new costumes, organising something, doing yoga.
My greatest strength is… my mind.
My biggest vice is… I used to have a few… I couldn’t say now. Maybe champagne.
My greatest fear is… ha! You’re not going to get that from me today.
If I could spend a day with any woman in history, past or present, it would have to be… Audrey Hepburn.
I if could have a superhero power, it would be… the power of persuasion. With that, ANYTHING is achievable.
The best piece of advice I have ever been given is… “Tell yourself that you love yourself every day and your life will change.” And it did.
If I could only watch one movie, hear one song and read one book for the rest of my life, they would be… Movie: White Christmas, Song: Miles Davis’ All Blues, Book: Dracula or a Sherlock Holmes anthology.
The key to show-stopping striptease is… a mega-watt smile, and knowledge of how to use your body.
My hopes for the future of burlesque are… more opportunities for travel, bigger budget shows, fair pay for talent, and a bigger, broader audience.
