How did you get into dance?

Things went back and forth a lot! I’m from a small town in Australia and have been dancing since I was three years old. I knew I wanted to dance for a living from a very early age. When I was fourteen, I moved to Brisbane to join a full-time dance program. It was my dream come true at last. I spent three years in Brisbane dancing ballet and contemporary. At age seventeen, I decided to head to Belgium on my own to attend the highly-demanding Brussels International Ballet School.

I was really passionate about ballet dancing, but I sensed that I probably wasn’t entirely cut out for life as a ballerina, as I felt the drive to try out other things and enjoy life. So I travelled to Italy to join the Milano Contemporary Ballet. In Milan, I realised that I enjoyed the experimental side of contemporary dance, but mainly heard the call of the stage! I wanted to enjoy my youth, smile, perform every evening and have a blast!

And then the Covid pandemic hit. I stopped dancing and completed a show management qualification. A little later, I was hired by a cruise company where I met Parisian cabaret dancers. As you probably know, there is no such thing as cabaret in Australia. I had heard of Moulin Rouge, but when I found out about Crazy Horse Paris, I was stunned! I said to myself: “That’s crazy! It’s perfect for me!” I thought back to my mother, who, many years ago, often told me that I might find it fun to become a cabaret dancer. I sent an application in, and was surprisingly selected. Two months later, I was on the Crazy Horse Paris stage. I was twenty-one years old, and my life just got seriously crazy!

How did you get your stage name?

Frida was obvious for me because Frida Kahlo is my greatest inspiration. She embodies a strong, combative woman and an astounding artist, who reminds me that it is important to defend your values. As my name implies, I’m in a constant emotional whirlwind! I’m always erring between different vibes. I can switch from one vibe to a totally opposite one on stage, sometimes during the same number!

Who is Frida Whirlwind?

That’s me. But wired to an amplifier. We share the same values. Frida is brave and determined. She doesn’t sit back waiting for things to happen. She fights for what she believes in. She is brave enough to reveal the fire within.

What do you think is the source of Crazy Horse Paris magic that has endured for more than seventy years?

Crazy Horse Paris dancers know how to walk the fine line between power and sensuality. No aspect of the show is vulgar or excessive, every detail points to subtle seduction. Such a balance is impossible to find elsewhere, it’s pretty rare. This is what makes Crazy Horse Paris unique in the world.

What have you discovered about yourself since becoming a Crazy Horse dancer?

I have realised that I can trust myself. I have also learned that if I trust my own abilities and believe in myself, I’ll get where I want to be.

How do you feel when you dance on stage at Crazy Horse Paris?

I can be my true self on this stage. We are given the opportunity to turn our daily lives and feelings into artistic expression. On stage, I feel powerful, whole, and in full control of my performance. I feel like the stage me is the best possible version of myself.

How do you prepare for the different roles in the Totally Crazy show? Whether you play the seductress, the cheeky mischievous dancer, or a deep and dramatic role?

It’s pretty natural for me, as I am already in an emotional whirlwind. But we also need to harness our imaginations under the guidance of a choreographer. Sometimes I channel my feelings. Sometimes I need to dampen them. If I’m feeling down and I need to put on a light show, the process can brighten my mindset… or lead to real inner turmoil! Understanding emotional intelligence is important, I need to be able to convert one vibe into another. No matter the details, portraying the different Totally Crazy personas requires a combination of self-awareness, letting go and acting.

What makes you particularly proud to be a Crazy Horse Paris dancer?

When I started out at Crazy Horse Paris, I was proud to be a part of this internationally-renowned troupe. I’m currently proud of who I am. I’m proud of my background, and how I became the dancer I am today, both emotionally and in terms of physical fitness.

How would you describe your main personality traits?

I get the general impression that, in many ways, I was put on this Earth to make people laugh! It’s a bit like a secret mission that I love… and I’m also a tough cookie. Which has good and bad sides! But one thing is sure, when I want something, I do everything I can to achieve it.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

Leave home, on my own, at age seventeen, to go to Europe, without speaking the language, to join a really strict ballet school, in the middle of winter, when I came from Australia… looking back, it seems like a crazy plan! But for me personally, there was nothing crazy about it, I was just finding my way. I often do slightly crazy things in life, so many that I couldn’t possibly list them!

What do you enjoy most in life outside of dancing?

I like spending time at home, in the quiet, with my cat and some music. I like finding some tranquillity after the lights.

Which number in the Totally Crazy show do you think is most mesmerizing?

In terms of dancing, Rougir de Désir: it’s a smooth and slinky emotional number, and works well with my contemporary and ballet roots. In terms of performance quality, Take My Love: I can interact with the audience, tease them a little, be both provocative and unpredictable. It’s pure drama.