Dita Von Teese Wants You to Sweep Her Off Her Feet and See Her New Show

That’s a big production.
A lot of my fans always wanted to see it, because it’s one of my biggest production numbers, so we worked hard to make it possible to present it in this show, which isn’t easy because it’s a real mechanical bull and takes a lot of effort to stage it. I’m also doing my Opium Den show as a finale — it’s the most unique, cinematic, and timeless act, and I am very proud of it, it’s my biggest production number. Each of my acts features extravagant costumes with over 100,000 Swarovski crystals each, custom-made Louboutin shoes, and grand stage props. There’s nothing like it.

How can our readers channel their inner Dita?
Well, I think the message I’m always trying to convey is that it’s about having fun with your style, not seeking acceptance from others. So I don’t like to dictate what finding your own sensuality is. But come see the show and see if there’s something that you see that inspires you. We have an incredible and diverse supporting cast that I’m very proud of that really represents many facets of beauty and burlesque.

You have a number of women who seem to have been inspired by your style. How does that make you feel?
It makes me happy to see the way other women are finding what I know to be true: that you can create your own beauty and that it doesn’t rely on age, shape, size, ethnicity, etc. When I meet my fans and look out into my extremely chic and illustrious audience, it makes me feel so good.

Obviously you’re the desire of many straight men as well as gay and bisexual women. Do you identify as bisexual or straight or heteroflexible?   
I guess now at age 39 — after much experimentation over the years — I have come to realize that I am hetero, which I personally think is unfortunate, because in my dreams, my sexual attraction isn’t limited to just men! But it is what it is, isn’t it? We don’t really get to decide, do we? But I have to admit, I still fantasize about being swept away by an elegantly dressed and gorgeous butch lesbian. It’s just all that cliché faux-girl-on-girl “look at me, guys” stuff I’m not into.

Gypsy Rose Lee, to whom you’re often compared, was very political in her time. What causes are of most concern to you?
I try to stay out of politics, but I am active in the fight against HIV and work a lot with the MAC AIDS Fund and amfAR.

Do you see a day when you’ll retire from the stage? 
I think it’s a constant evolution, and has been since I first started performing 20 years ago. It’s amusing that when I started, when I was 18, I was convinced that by 30, I would be finished and that no one would want to see a lady of that age stripteasing. It’s funny, the notions we have of age when we are very young. I strongly believe that I’m at my best now, and what my show has evolved to is much more than I ever dreamed.

What will the future bring then?
In addition to the burlesque shows, I’ve been spending the past several years setting myself up to retire from the stage, between saving my earnings and starting new projects that don’t rely on me being G-string-clad. I have my books, my lingerie line, a new makeup collection coming out, a dress line, and I am already in the process of creating my second perfume after the success of the first one, which we will have available for purchase at Strip Strip Hooray! And I have some top-secret amazing new ideas for the evolution of my show. Just wait and see: If I want it, I can be onstage till I’m 70! I’ve got something special up my sleeve.

Upcoming Dates for Dita Von Teese’s Burlesque: Strip Strip Hooray! Tour

Friday, May 11
Los Angeles
House of Blues
@HOBSunset

Saturday, May 12
Los Angeles
House of Blues
@HOBSunset

Monday, May 14
San Diego
House of Blues
@HOBSanDiego

Tuesday, May 15
San Diego
House of Blues
@HOBSanDiego

Thursday, May 17
Las Vegas
House of Blues
@HOBLasVegas

Friday, May 18
Las Vegas
House of Blues
@HOBLasVegas

Saturday, May 19
Las Vegas
House of Blues
@HOBLasVegas

Monday, May 21
San Francisco
The Fillmore
@FillmoreSF

Tuesday, May 22
San Francisco
The Fillmore
@FillmoreSF

Thursday, May 24
Seattle
Neptune Theatre
@stgpresents

Friday, May 25
Seattle
Neptune Theatre
@stgpresents

Sunday, May 27
Portland, Ore.
Aladdin Theater
@Aladdin_Theater

Monday, May 28
Portland, Ore.         
Aladdin Theater
@Aladdin_Theater

Wednesday, May 30
Santa Ana, Calif.
The Yost Theater
@YostTheater

Thursday, May 31
Santa Ana, Calif.
The Yost Theater
@YostTheater
 

For more info or tickets go House of Blues or Dita’s website.