Image by Laura Byrnes
Makeup by Melissa Pizzamiglio

The following interview is a VivirLatino exclusive interview with the Latina Queen of Burlesque, la Cholita, by the Latina Queen of writing, Adele Nieves.

Adele Nieves: You’ve been described as the Latina Queen of Burlesque, and L.A.’s Premier Burlesque performer. How would you describe yourself?

la Cholita : I would definitely agree with both of those (laughs). I’m also extremely fiery and passionate. When I first started they used to say I was the “MVP” – most volatile performer – and “The Firecracker,” because my stage persona is very explosive. When I get up there it’s just larger than life. Every time I meet someone the first thing they say is “you’re so much shorter than I thought you’d be!” I have a very strong, over-the-top stage presence and it’s just kind of overwhelming, like “BAM!”

So I would definitely agree. And I would even say I’m the Queen of L.A., because why not?

A.N: What is it about burlesque that inspires your expression and performance? Also, how did you get started?

L.C: I always loved dressing up. I would put on my mom’s jewelry and lipstick, put on her bras and stuff them and try walking out of the house (laughs). I loved singing, dancing, and the theatre. I went to my first show, a burlesque convention, only about six years ago. It had women from all over the world, and legends like Dixie Evans, Tempest Storm, Isis Star, Satan’s Angel – these women were the O.G.s of burlesque, and they’re still up there and doing it better than a lot of the young ones. There was so much diversity, girls who in normal society wouldn’t be looked at twice or would be criticized for cellulite, and each one looked so cute, so charming, and so sexy, whether they were campy, glamorous, raunchy, or had big props. Every girl did her own thing, and for those few minutes each girl was on stage, you couldn’t take your eyes off her. Once I saw that, I was like “oh my goodness, this is what I need to do.”

Another reason I started was because I didn’t see anyone representing what I wanted to see. As a homegirl from Los Angeles, you’ve gotta represent, right? That’s a big part of me and my performance.

Is burlesque hard work?
It’s a lot harder than you think, being professional and good. As a performer and entertainer, I think you’ve either got it or you don’t. You can practice and take classes for anything, and if you work hard enough you’ll get it. But at the same time you see certain people that just have that certain spark. To be a great show woman is very important in burlesque, especially if you want to be taken seriously and be seen as a cut above the rest.

I would never want to hinder anyone from getting up on stage, and I really encourage a lot of women to do it, especially if they have issues with their body or with self-confidence, and want to spice it up a little. However, it is frustrating for someone like me. This is my full-time job, I’m a professional, and I put hours and hours into designing all the costumes, the choreography, the music, and everything, and get paid to do it. But I always have faith that the cream rises to the top, and people will see my show is a lot different than someone else’s.

I perform about three times a week. I do a lot of corporate events, which has been interesting because they expect something like the Pussycat Dolls, and I’m like “Tah-Daaaahhh!!” (laughs) They expect a woman that fits a certain mold, and I’m definitely not that, I’m a lot more voluptuous. But it’s great to corrupt them!

You mentioned you were impressed with the diversity of burlesque. A lot of reality TV shows, like America’s Next Top Model and Ruby, are increasing their attention on so-called “normal” women – whatever that means – but it still seems those women are forced to explain their beauty, because “thin” is still considered the standard on these shows.
That is such a great way to put it.

You’re very upfront about your beauty, and you define it in your own terms, without explanation. How did that happen? Did you always have that strength?
I grew up in a very loving, supportive environment. My family always told me I was beautiful, and I was lucky to have that foundation. But at the same time, my mom was a single mother and an artist, and exposed me to a lot of different cultures, scenes and places. Growing up it was sometimes hard for me to relate. I got made fun of all the time. I had really curly hair, freckles, I was chubby, I always had thick thighs, and many times I came home crying; it definitely took its toll on me. But I knew there were things I excelled at, like music, theatre, and entertainment, and I was one of those kids that was friends with everybody. Even though they made fun of me, everyone liked being around me. I was good at being the class clown, and I loved being onstage.

It really started coming together after high school. Pretty much when I went platinum and started wearing red lipstick, I was like “Oooooh, yeah …that’s it!” (laughs) I started walking with a swagger, and everything changed. Going platinum changed my life. That should be the title of my book.

What do you hope your journey encourages in other women, specifically Latina women and girls?
I can already see it happening, which is amazing. One thing I noticed at that burlesque convention was I didn’t see any Latinas. There’s a big show in L.A., but it’s really white girls portraying stereotypes of Mexican culture. For me, Latinas have always represented certain things. I was surrounded by them growing up; they’re very powerful, sexual, fiery, passionate women, so when there weren’t any Latinas, it seemed kind of crazy to me. But I know in our culture and traditions we’re taught to keep everything under wraps – “save it for your husband,” that kind of thing.

My grandfather always taught me to be proud of who I was and where I came from. For him it was a struggle; back in his day, you’d get kicked out for speaking Spanish in school. There was so much segregation, it was like “spics” and “whites” – you couldn’t drink from the same fountain, you couldn’t go to the movies on the same night. Being proud of my name, my culture, and where I came from was really important to him.

All of my burlesque performances, and the photos I take as a model, I think of as love letters to what has inspired me, and a big part of that has been my culture and my upbringing. I would love for Latinas to be inspired, but also women in general – even guys. I want to inspire people to not be afraid. Just because it hasn’t been done doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. You’re never going to make everyone happy, so make yourself happy, and there’s probably a million other people out there who will like you for what you do. And as long as you have heart, it’s all good. It will all be worthwhile.

How do you deal with critique?
I embrace it, I embrace everything. It’s like Mae West said, it’s better to be looked over than overlooked. As long as you’re arousing something in somebody, whether it’s disgust or delight, you’re still tickling them! I’ve still got you whether you like it or not, and deep down I bet you do like it – you just don’t want to admit it.

What made you take the name Cholita? It’s considered derogatory in the Mexican tradition.
When I saw cholas, I thought they were bombshells with balls. They took such great care to detail their lips. It was all exaggerated, and people love to make fun, but if you think about it, your lips are a very erogenous zone. Their eyebrows, even though they were really crazy, drew you to them. So did their nails and hair. Those things to me were all very feminine. And they always had their boobs pushed up in wife-beaters so you saw they had tetes – they were showing you what they had.

But at the same time, you wouldn’t fuck with them because they could throw down. In my neighborhood, that’s how the girls were. They weren’t hoochie-mamas, which is a totally different thing. Being a chola, you were a ride-or-die chick, you were down for your shit, and you looked good doing it. You had style. And, I was involved in gangs.

In Latino families, low-rider culture is a way for your family to connect. Fathers, sons, and brothers do this together, and moms and daughters get involved. Working on the car is really a family activity. So when you’d go to these car shows, you see cholos and cholas, but you also see families.

As a joke, my family would call me cholita because I was little. I thought it was a cool name, but didn’t realize they were making fun of me (laughs). I’m very fair skinned; I didn’t really have Mexican features. When it came time for me to make my mark in the burlesque scene, I was so sick of everybody being “Kitten this” or “Vixen-this.” My style was different, and I needed a name that would be different. It just came to me, I could see it in lights; I knew it would stand out on its own.

I think I’m changing the stereotype, and breaking down walls of what people associate with that term. I’ve gotten a lot of really great feedback and support; people saying “thank you for representing Latinas” and showing it doesn’t matter if you were involved with gangs – you turn your tragedy into triumph. There’s nothing wrong with being glamorous, and at the same time there’s nothing wrong with your past.

What is your opinion on how people view Latina women in the 21st century?
I think that it’s changed, but I think we are still only viewed physically. We have these starlets, and you see the same ones on the cover of all the same magazines, but they all seem to say the same thing. They’re seen more as sex objects, and in every role they play it’s like “ooh, the feisty Latina girl!” or “the woman who cleans the toilets, but he falls in love with her anyway!” You know? (laughter) Its like, “gee, thanks!”

I do kind of admire Salma Hayek for her producing, directing, writing, and her involvement with causes. I wish there were more people doing that. Eva Menendez and Jessica Alba are gorgeous, but I don’t think they are more than a token that can cry on cue. That sounds harsh, but there are no homegirls out there you can really identify with. It’s this Hollywood version of a Latina – there’s no real women up there.

Even for me this has happened. Latina magazine keep saying “oh, we want to embrace our culture,” and blah, blah, blah, but yet they focus on the same issues and on the same women. When does Latina Magazine feature women who are taking charge and being strong?

A lot of the feedback I’ve gotten from people is that they view what I’m doing as porn, and I’m like “well, Vida Guerra is on the cover of everything, and she posed naked for Playboy.” It isn’t just about how others view Latinas, but how Latinas view themselves.

I work with one organization doing fundraising for aspiring Latina filmmakers all across the United States, called BHLIFE (Boyle Heights Latina Independent Film Extravaganza). There’s a screening, and all the money goes toward grants to make their dreams come true. Being involved in my community is very important, to give back, to be there and share something.

As much as we celebrate that we come in all shapes and sizes, they will only acknowledge people when they’ve reached a certain point. It is unfortunate, because there are so many people growing up in bad neighborhoods, but still have that spark in their eye; they want to achieve something. I hope that in some way I can show them it’s still possible, when I’m more successful and have a larger voice.

You’re on your way!
Any day now! Any day … That’s what I used to tell myself when I was home alone.

For more information, pictures, and shows, please visit La Cholita and at her MySpace.

Between her efforts at changing the world, she can be found searching for a home-cooked Spanish meal. To learn more about Adele, please visit her at adelenieves.com