Some people have asked me why I feel the need to create a POC Burlesque Pageant and Hall of Fame. Well, when I landed my first burlesque gig in 2003, I had a hard time finding burlesque queens who had my features. I started searching for beautiful and glamorous burlesque performers who looked like me, but the limited archives of live performances of POC burlesque entertainers left me heartbroken and discouraged. I was convinced that I didn't belong in the world of burlesque. After all, the majority of the women who are revered do not look like me. Josephine Baker's career was unprecedented, yet I could only find short clips of her live groundbreaking performances. Thankfully, we can witness the living legends magic at The Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender and many burlesque festivals around the world. However, I would love to play a small part in securing the future of POC burlesque history by creating headliner opportunities and acknowledging the importance of representation. I want to make sure that history doesn't repeat itself. I want future generations to have access to archives and a pageant to call their own.
I am not interested in taking anything away from any organization, producer, or other POC events. My goal is to help secure a POC legacy and Hall of Fame for our living legends and upcoming legends. My dream is to ensure a legacy for the future.
With love,
Perle Noire