Shaking the Stage: A Stripper's Journey to Self-Discovery and Empowerment

Prior to my interview with Dynasty, I recognized the importance of capturing the stories of my sisters who had danced at Big Daddy's in their own words. I provided them with a list of questions to answer about their time at the club, believing that their personal accounts would provide valuable insights into the exotic dance industry on Bourbon Street. By giving them the opportunity to share their experiences, I hoped to shed light on the realities of our profession and the unique challenges that we faced. It was essential to me that their voices are heard, and their stories were told with authenticity and respect.

This project is an ongoing effort, as more and more women who danced at Big Daddy's are coming forward to share their stories. I believe that every voice deserves to be heard, and I'm committed to ensuring that their experiences are represented accurately and respectfully. As I continue to gather their personal accounts, I hope to create a comprehensive and nuanced portrait of Big Daddy’s on Bourbon Street and the women who worked within it.

I'm grateful for the trust and courage my friends have shown in sharing their stories with me, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to share their insights with a wider audience. It's my belief that by giving them a platform to share their perspectives, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the exotic dance industry and the challenges that these women faced on Bourbon Street. Their stories are a testament to their resilience and strength, and I'm proud to present this ongoing project to honor their experiences.

Here is Dynasty’s interview:

Shaking the Stage: A Stripper's Journey to Self-Discovery and Empowerment

What was it that made you choose to work at Big Daddy’s?

"I always liked to dance even as a lil girl," I said, my eyes sparkling as I reminisced about my younger days. "The love of dancing followed me through my teens until adulthood. As I matured and saw my beauty, I thought to myself, 'I can use what I have to get what I want.'" I took a deep breath before continuing, "School was totally outta my plans. Not to mention, I became a mom at 16, so fast money was what I needed. And with such young beauty and sex appeal, I took that shit to the stage at Big Daddy's on Bourbon Street." A mischievous grin spread across my face as I remembered the thrill of it all.

How old were you the first time you walked through the door? And what year was it?

"I was 20 years old when I first walked through the doors of Big Daddy's," I said, my mind racing back to that time. "Stacy was the one who hired me. It was at the end of '97 because I remember I was on stage dancing to '1999' by Prince when the clock struck midnight and it turned into the year 1999." I chuckled at the memory. "I was so caught up in the music and the crowd that I didn't even realize the year had changed until the DJ announced it. But that's just how it was at Big Daddy's – you got lost in the moment and forgot about everything else."

What happy memory will you cherish forever?

A somber look came over my face as I thought about the happy memory I would cherish forever. "It's not exactly a happy memory in the traditional sense," I began, my voice trembling slightly. "But the last moments I spent with Tia are something I'll always cherish." I took a deep breath before continuing, My heart sank as I heard Tia's name mentioned again. "Yes, Tia was also a dancer at Big Daddy's," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "She was one of the most talented dancers I've ever seen, and everyone loved her. But her life was cut short when she was murdered." I could feel the sadness and anger building up inside of me. "It was a devastating loss for all of us. Tia had so much talent and potential, and she didn't deserve to have her life taken away like that. It's a tragedy that still haunts me to this day." I took a deep breath and composed myself before continuing, "But I know that Tia would want us to keep dancing and living our lives to the fullest. She was always so full of life and energy, and I'll always remember her as a shining star that was taken from us far too soon."

What have you always wanted to tell the world about your experience, but haven’t had the courage to?

I hesitated for a moment before answering the question. "There's something I've always wanted to tell the world about my experience," I began slowly, "but I've never had the courage to do so." I took a deep breath and continued, "I know that some people might judge me for this, but I'm going to be honest. I loved using my beauty to seduce men out of their money. It was thrilling and empowering to know that I had that kind of power over them." A sense of liberation washed over me as I spoke my truth. "I would do it all over again if I could, and I wouldn't change a thing. Dancing at Big Daddy's allowed me to support myself and my family, and it gave me a sense of purpose and confidence that I had never felt before." I paused for a moment before concluding, "I know that not everyone will understand or agree with me, but that's okay. My experience is mine alone, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

If you had to do it all over again, would you pursue the same career path?

A broad grin spread across my face as I heard the question. "Absolutely! Without a doubt," I exclaimed. "If I had to do it all over again, I would pursue the same career path, and I would do it for even longer." I leaned forward, excitement in my eyes. "Dancing at Big Daddy's was the most exhilarating experience of my life. The music, the lights, the crowd – it was all so intoxicating. I loved every second of it, and I wouldn't trade those memories for anything." I paused for a moment before continuing, "Of course, there were some ups and downs along the way, but I wouldn't change a thing. Those experiences made me who I am today, and I'm proud of the woman I've become. So yes, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat."

What is your biggest regret?

My expression turned solemn as I thought about my biggest regret. "Looking back on my life, I would say that my biggest regret was using too much alcohol and drugs," I said slowly. "It was a dark time in my life, and I made some choices that I'm not proud of."
I took a deep breath and continued, "There were times when I let my addiction take over, and it led me down some dangerous paths. I hurt myself and the people I cared about, and it's something that I'll always carry with me." A sense of sadness washed over me as I spoke. "But I've learned from my mistakes, and I'm in a better place now. It wasn't easy, but I've worked hard to overcome my addiction, and I'm grateful for the support of my family and friends along the way." I smiled slightly and concluded, "So while I do have regrets, I'm also proud of how far I've come. It's all a part of my story, and I wouldn't be who I am today without those experiences."

What amazes you most about society and how it views performers nowadays?

A look of frustration came over my face as I thought about society's views on performers. "Honestly, what amazes me the most is how society still views performers, particularly strippers, as bad people," I said with a tinge of anger in my voice. "It's frustrating because we all have a story to tell, and it's unfair to judge us based on our occupation alone." I took a deep breath before continuing, "Being a stripper doesn't define who we are as people. We're mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends just like anyone else. We have hopes and dreams, and we're working hard to achieve them just like anyone else."
A sense of determination filled me as I spoke. "I wish society would take the time to listen to our stories and understand that we're not all the same. We're individuals with unique experiences, and we deserve to be treated with respect and dignity just like anyone else." I leaned back in my chair and concluded, "So while it's frustrating to see how society views performers nowadays, I'm hopeful that things will change. It's up to us to share our stories and educate others about who we really are."

What do you miss most about the ‘old days?

A sense of nostalgia washed over me as I thought about the "old days." "If I had to choose one thing that I miss the most, it would be the money," I said with a hint of a smile. "Let's be real, it was good money, and it allowed me to provide for myself and my family." I chuckled before continuing, "But in all seriousness, there is one thing that I do miss, and that's the people. I miss the sense of community and camaraderie that we had back then. We were all in this together, and we had each other's backs no matter what."
I paused for a moment before continuing, "But other than that, I don't really miss anything else. I've moved on from that chapter of my life, and I'm focused on the present and the future. I'm grateful for the experiences I had, but I'm also excited for what's to come."

Looking back at your life thus far, what are you most proud of?

A sense of pride filled me as I thought about what I was most proud of in my life. "Looking back at everything, I would say that I'm most proud of the woman I've become despite the challenges I faced early on in life," I said, a sense of determination in my voice. "I never thought I'd be where I am today. At one point, I didn't even think I would make it this far," I continued. "But by the grace of God, I was able to turn my life around. Now, I work in the home health field, helping others with their everyday lives. From being a stripper to where I am now, it's an awesome change, and I couldn't be more proud of myself." I paused for a moment before concluding, "I'm grateful for the experiences I had, both good and bad. They made me who I am today, and they've taught me to never give up on myself. I'm excited for what the future holds, and I'm ready to take on whatever comes my way."

What did you discover in the last decade or two that you wish you discovered sooner?

Saving my money 💰 A smile spread across my face as I thought about what I wished I had discovered sooner in life. "If there's one thing that I discovered in the last decade or two that I wish I had discovered sooner, it would be the importance of saving my money," I said with a chuckle. "I've learned that having financial stability is crucial, and that it's important to have a plan for the future. When I was younger, I didn't really think about the future. I was living in the moment, and I spent money as fast as I earned it."
I shook my head before continuing, "But now, I know better. I've learned the value of saving my money and investing in my future. It's never too late to start planning for the future, but I do wish I had discovered this sooner in life." I leaned back in my chair and concluded, "So my advice to anyone out there would be to start saving your money as soon as you can. It may not seem important now, but it'll pay off in the long run."

Favorite place you would hang out after work?

A smile spread across my face as I thought about my favorite place to hang out after work. "If there's one place that I loved to go to after work, it would have to be Alibi," I said with a sense of nostalgia. "It was a great spot to unwind and let loose after a long night of dancing," I continued. "The atmosphere was always lively, and there was always something going on. It was the perfect place to meet up with friends and have a good time." I chuckled before continuing, "Of course, there were other places I liked to go to as well, but Alibi always had a special place in my heart. It was where I made some of my best memories, and it was a place that felt like home." I leaned back in my chair and concluded, "Those were some good times, but I'm also excited for what the future holds. Life is all about making new memories and experiencing new things."

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

A look of contemplation came over me as I thought about what advice I would give my 20-year-old self. "If I could go back in time, there are a few things I would tell myself," I began, my voice serious. "The first thing would be to never settle for less. You deserve the best, and you should never compromise on your dreams and aspirations," I continued. "The second thing would be to save your money. It's important to plan for the future, and having financial stability can make a huge difference." I took a deep breath before continuing, "And finally, I would tell myself to stay away from people with bad habits. It's easy to get caught up in the wrong crowd, but it's important to surround yourself with people who uplift you and encourage you to be your best self."
I smiled slightly and concluded, "Those are the things that I wish I had known when I was younger, but I'm grateful for the experiences I had. They've taught me valuable lessons, and they've made me the person I am today."