Dita von Teese is known as the Queen of Burlesque. Her pioneering striptease performances inspired the neo-burlesque movement and sparked a new wave of modern interest in the classic art form. Von Teese has performed across the globe, including Crazy Horse Paris, the London Palladium, and the Opera Garnier Monte Carlo. After wrapping up a world tour of her magic-themed burlesque show, Nocturnelle, later this year, von Teese will return to her residency at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Her comments are from an email conversation with Chloe Olewitz.
How did you catch the magic bug? I’ve been going to The Magic Castle since around 2001. I’ve been friends with Rudy Coby since around then, and I also know the Larsen family, and often went to the shows at Brookledge. The mystique of the historic vintage magic posters on the walls of The Magic Castle intrigued me. I’m fascinated by the old fashioned illusions, and how so many of these concepts are still mystifying people to this day.
Favorite trick you like to watch? I personally love showy stage magic, grand illusions set to music without much banter. I am famously silent for my own shows, so this style appeals to me. It’s quite difficult to capture the audience without chatting at them, so I love this kind of choreographed, elegant magic.