My Burlesque Inspiration with Tina La Tease

Dixie Evans

New burlesque is a beautiful revival of traditional American burlesque, reimagined for modern audiences. While it honours the roots of classic burlesque, it also embraces a wide variety of performance styles. From elegant striptease and cabaret-inspired routines to modern dance, theatrical storytelling, and playful comedy, neo burlesque allows performers to express themselves in endless creative ways.

My own inspiration comes from the glamour and grace of cabaret style, combined with the rich storytelling found in traditional burlesque. One performer who has influenced me deeply is pre-20th-century burlesque icon Dixie Evans. She is perhaps best remembered for her burlesque parody of Marilyn Monroe, a role she made entirely her own through dedication, study, and incredible stage presence.

Dixie Evans’ journey into burlesque was anything but conventional. She left high school and worked picking and planting celery in fields outside Los Angeles before answering an advert for chorus girls in Hollywood. She landed the role and soon moved into modelling and burlesque performances. Her big break came in the 1950s when she met burlesque impresario Harold Minsky. Struck by her resemblance to Marilyn Monroe, he billed her as the “Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque.”

With her signature bleached hair and hours spent studying Marilyn Monroe’s expressions, movements, and breathy mannerisms, Dixie created an act that was both recognisable and uniquely hers. However, her performances were never about imitation alone. Dixie was determined to make her acts seductive, intelligent, and relevant, often weaving satire and commentary on current events into her routines.

As Dixie Evans famously said, “It wasn’t about taking your clothes off. It was the way you took them off.” That philosophy perfectly captures what burlesque truly represents to me. Burlesque is about tease, timing, confidence, and storytelling, not simply nudity.

In 1990, Dixie Evans took over a ranch in the desert that housed a collection of burlesque memorabilia. A year later, she founded Miss Exotic World, an event that brought burlesque performers from across the country together to celebrate the art form. The museum and legacy she created continue to inspire performers today.

Burlesque is well known not only for its stunning costumes and glamorous finery, but also for its magnificent props. I adore working with props, especially those that feel feminine and theatrical. Long satin gloves, feather boas, feather fans, and Isis wings are among my favourites. These elements add drama, movement, and magic to a performance, transforming it into a visual story that captivates the audience.

Dixie Evans’ influence reminds me that burlesque is an art form built on imagination, elegance, and individuality. Her legacy continues to inspire my own burlesque journey and the way I bring glamour, storytelling, and confidence to the stage.