Can you tell us about your artistic background?

You could say that it was almost an accident. I’m basically a professional gymnast. Once my athletic career was over, I naturally turned to the artistic side of the field, and I started to train performance arts, but without knowing exactly where I was heading. When I was twenty, I saw a performer do a balancing act on canes in Las Vegas, which also included balancing on one hand. Looking back, that was day one of the rest of my life. I found that performance absolutely incredible. I wanted to give it a try, and I devoted blood, sweat and tears to practice time. I still wasn’t sure what I could do career-wise, but nonetheless, bit by bit, it became my profession. I started performing in Las Vegas, and on cruise ships, and then in Germany, and China… At the end of the day, I moved to Manchester, where I regularly performed in cabarets and joined shows on tour.

Why did you decide to try the Crazy Horse Paris audition?

It all started around twenty years ago. The first time I set foot in Paris, I fell totally in love with the place. So when a friend told me about the Crazy Horse Paris auditions, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I tried out for the opportunity. I now live and work in Paris, in one of the most fascinating places on Earth. It’s like a dream come true, and I’m thrilled as I sincerely believe that my approach to performance is a perfect match for Crazy Horse Paris.

How would you describe your Crazy Horse personage?

I enter the theatre wearing an elegant black suit: black waistcoat and trousers with a white shirt and a bow. In fact, I look exactly like the waiters, and that allows me to start my number. I’m holding a beer, and I pretend to not understand why the spot lights are on me. And then I drink the beer… the whole beer. Everything suddenly switches, and I start my number. I balance on my hands, and start my acrobatic striptease. Bit by bit, every item of clothing on me disappears, until all that remains is the strict minimum. My number is both technically difficult and fun, combining acrobatics with a striptease. And yep, the beer is real!

Can you describe your universe in three words?

Daring, funny and sexy!

Which male role do you play on the Crazy Horse Paris stage?

On stage, I am exactly the opposite of my true personality. I’m pretty quiet, and a bit introverted in real life. I like the down time, reading, etc. And when my number starts, I totally open up. I adapt my role to the audience. Some evenings, I keep it funny, playing with them. On other evenings, I adopt a more sensual role, teasing the audience. But I’m always confident, with a smile on my face; my aim is to bond with the audience and make them laugh.

What has your time at Crazy Horse Paris brought you personally?

Thanks to Crazy Horse Paris, I have been able to reveal the true performer inside me. The show provided me with a safe artistic space where I could freely explore the different aspects of my personage. I can be anybody on stage here, every single evening.

Can you describe your target atmosphere in the theatre?

My number one priority is to ensure that the audience leaves with their minds filled with memories, be it the entire number, or just a quick gesture. My aim is to ensure that when people watch me, they see something new, and leave the show happier than when they arrived. For me, this is why we perform, to give people a break from their daily routines, bring out all the feels and surprise them!

How do you feel when you perform at Crazy Horse Paris?

There is no better feeling in the world, when the audience claps or cries out, there are no words. I have worked while injured, or while sick, during periods of grief, and even crying. I never stop, because the powerful energy sent out by the audience is simply addictive.

How do you see the emblematic Crazy Horse Paris dancers who share the show?

They are both amazing and unique, they each have their own personalities and strengths. Over and beyond their talents, they are all adorable. The transformation on stage is incredible. They turn into something god-like, straight out of a fantasy. It really is a fascinating process.

What special touch do you bring to the Totally Crazy! show?

I bring a certain contrast. Crazy Horse Paris promotes femininity, sensuality and the beauty of the female body. I bring the male vibe to the show, complementing the female facets. Above all, I perform up close with the audience. I’m not on the stage, I’m in the theatre, just a few centimetres from the audience. I can look into their eyes, hear their whispers and feel their emotions. It’s a totally different experience, for them and for me.

What do you think is the magic Crazy Horse Paris ingredient that has ensured its success for the last seventy-five years?

First up, this site is mythical. But in my view, the people make the real difference, I’m talking about the people on the door, the maintenance teams, the waiters and the performers. Crazy Horse Paris is truly like family. And when positive emotions take centre stage, the audience can feel the aura.

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

But I’m a Good Girl, zero doubt. I come up straight after this number, so watch it a lot. I love the way each dancer brings something special. Everyone dances the same choreography, but the performance is never the same. This is real live performance, in the sense that it’s different every evening. And that, is magic.

Photos: Paul Morel