* i © the other press Culture June 2003 Dial ‘D A Telephone Interview with International Burlesque Star Catherine Jennifer Aikman Look Managing Editor c atherine D’Lish’s press bio states she is “the ‘founding father’ of the neo-burlesque movement,” and so I was nearly as apprehensive as I was excit- ed when she agreed to grant me a tele- phone interview. As it turns out, I had nothing to worry about. As we chatted, it was hard to believe this charming down-to-earth woman has also been crowned the following titles —Miss Nude USA, World’s Performer of the Year, Showgirl of the Year, Miss Nude International—to name a few. From her home in San Diego, Miss D’Lish gave me the lowdown on the difference between stripping and burlesque, and her desire to see more sexy girls take their clothes off. “Please forgive my lame-ass questions — like I said, I was nervous and I'd just fin- ished a can of Pilsner in a foolish attempt to bolster my confidence. Not a good plan, but it was my plan.* JAL: So, youre headlining Burlesquefest here in a week. Have you been to Vancouver? CD: Yes I have, what a beautiful city. I think that part of the country is gor- geous. JAL: Well thank you. Hopefully the rain will let up for you when you all arrive next week. I've never been to a burlesque show. I know a bit about burlesque, but Ive never seen it. So Im just going to ask you some pretty basic questions. CD: Oh, well I hope you're coming to Page 20 e http://otherpress.douglas.bc.ca D’Lish the show next week. JAL: Me too. Actually I wouldnt miss it. Okay so I'll just ask you my prepared ques- tions and you can add anything you like. CD: Of course. JAL: How did you become involved with Burlesque? CD: For me it started out as a joke. I answered a classified ad and my friend and I thought it was hilarious. Ridiculous, really. I auditioned in this seedy nightclub and they paid me $100. I thought, this is okay and kept on doing it. Then I began to hear about stripping competitions, which is right up my alley. I started moving up the “stripper’s lad- der” (laughs) and winning different titles. Because I held so many titles I wound up headlining at different gentle- men’s clubs. It was the competitions that I built my elaborate props for. I decided I was going to build a huge champagne glass and win. And I did. Now I have a giant gilded birdcage, a spider web and I’m always adding more. JAL: You perform with some pretty elabo- rate sets; have you ever hurt yourself? CD: Stripping isn’t exactly a dangerous sport—not like the luge or anything. I have been hurt a few times, I was cut by a stray bead once and I’ve had bruises and bumps. I don’t ever feel it when I perform though, I never notice until ’m done. JAL: Is there a difference between stripping and burlesque? CD: It depends on who you talk to. There are purists, and I’m not one of them, who feel that burlesque is strictly an old-fashioned — not a very nice term — retro strip tease with the classic vaude- ville feel. And is that, but I don’t think there’s a big difference. I call myself a stripper. I don’t go around calling myself an artiste or an international burlesque star. I use the term “burlesque”, loosely. JAL: I've heard about the history of Burlesque and the “true art of burlesque’. Is the art evolving or is there an expectation to perform routines that would appeal to burlesque purists? CD: Absolutely, I think it is evolving. I started out with the classic striptease with the old music and I’ve changed it to make it my own. I’ve been fan dancing forever and my routine is very personal to me. I don’t set out to imitate Sally Rand or anyone else. I don’t watch old videos and imitate old moves, although there are performers out there who do recreate old routines. I’m out there to entertain — not give a history lesson. JAL: I saw the Pussycat Dolls perform on Carson Daley the other day, how do you feel about celebrities getting involved with burlesque? CD: I think it’s wonderful. I’ve seen the Pussycat Dolls. A friend of mine was in it and the girls are gorgeous. I don’t think there’s anyone who shouldn't do it.