Introducing Paris Chantilly
Here at Burlesque With Paris, we thought you’d like to meet our instructors to find out what they love about burlesque so much and why they decided they wanted to teach burlesque to all of our burlesque lovelies.
We would like to introduce to you Paris Chantilly our instructor for Goole, Featherstone and Selby.
I love the whole world of Burlesque, it is an extraordinary world and I have found it so intriguing right from where it began and how it started to what it is today. I have had the privilege of training and dancing with some of the biggest performers in the UK and I have loved every minute of it. It has changed my life and made me see myself in a whole new light and I feel more positive about myself, my body and who I am as a person. Two of my friends introduced me to Burlesque Garry and Stephen, also known as The DreamGirls Drag Queens. I will always be grateful to them both as I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for the two of them.
I love being Paris Chantilly and slipping into my sparkly costumes and dancing with my fans and sprinkling petals across the stage. It is the most amazing feeling in the world and one of the best things I have ever achieved in my life.
WHY DID YOU START BURLESQUE WITH PARIS?
I started BWP as I wanted to bring the world of burlesque into Yorkshire by storm and build confidence and self-esteem in others around me. What better way to do it than in a fun, shimmying, wiggling burlesque class. Bringing groups of ladies together and making them all smile, giggle and have some time out for themselves, giving them the opportunity to make new friends and boost their self-perception of themselves.
Most of us ladies meet the man of our dreams settle down and have children, then we seem to forget about ourselves and fall into the mum and partner role and before we know it there is no time to think about ourselves. BWP gives ladies the opportunity to let go and have fun while learning to like and appreciate who they are and the body they are in. We are all beautiful treasures and BWP is going to give so many ladies the chance to explore themselves and step into another role which is all about them. It's a celebration of femininity, very empowering, burlesque style, and a fabulous experience for all. I am going to thoroughly enjoy the experience and meeting all of the burlesque lovelies I will meet in all of the classes I teach.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT BEING AN INSTRUCTOR?
My most favourite thing is when new ladies come into class and tell me that all they want to do is the class and nothing else as they don’t have the confidence. Then when it’s showtime and we start working on the show routines they all suddenly have a change of heart and there up on the stage having the time of their lives. I feel so proud and love to see my ladies bursting with confidence and feeling good about themselves.
HOW DO YOU THINK BURLESQUE HELPS BOOST A BODY POSITIVE IMAGE?
Burlesque is a celebration of body types and everybody fits into a burlesque body. Burlesque is one of the most diverse arts out there, and ALL bodies are burlesque bodies and ALL bodies are welcome. Burlesque gives everyone the opportunity to feel good about themselves and love the skin their in. It’s empowering and nothing else beats it!
WHAT IS IT ABOUT BURLESQUE THAT YOU LOVE SO MUCH?
Everyone comes together and it is something that everyone enjoys together. There is no specific gender or type of person that it is specific to. It really is something that is for EVERYONE.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE BURLESQUE PERFORMERS?
I have so many it’s hard to choose. Sally Rand and Gypsy Rose Lee are my two favourite legendary performers. Today's performers are hard as there are so many magnificent performers out there but my top 3 would be, Lou Safire he is one of the most exceptional performers that I have ever seen and his Black Swan routine is magical to watch. Khandie Khisses is another incredible performer who is just a fiesty sex bomb full of high energy. Lilly SnatchDragon is a comedy performer and another sensational performer. She lights up the room when she is on stage and is so funny and entertaining to watch.
DO YOU FEEL THAT BURLESQUE HAS IMPACTED IN YOUR LIFE IN ANY SIGNIFICANT WAY?
Yes definitely. I am more confident now than I ever have been. I am very content with myself and have learned to love me for being me and am just so much happier all round. It’s the best thing I have ever done and it’s lovely just to have something in my life that I love so much.
WHEN WAS THE BEST MOST EMPOWERING MOMENT FOR YOU IN BURLESQUE? FAVOURITE MOMENT?
Every time I step onto the stage and become Paris Chantilly and perform. I love everything about it, my costumes, my routines, my music and the reaction from the audience is always incredible. Being Paris Chantilly is empowering and I love every minute of it.
WHAT IS YOUR MOTO IN LIFE?
Life is a gift so make the most of it and experience every opportunity to the fullest.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR NAME AND WHERE DID IT COME FROM?
My two best friends Garry and Stephen chose my name and I fell in love with it when they said Paris Chantilly. I love how they introduced me to burlesque and are part of Paris Chantilly and that’s why I have stuck with it.
IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO ANYONE TAKING UP A BURLESQUE CLASS WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Don’t think about it just go and join a class and see for yourself. It is a fabulous experience and so much fun, and once you start you won’t want to stop.