A burlesque beauty reveals her secrets

by The Advertiser

Chrissie Brown and Radha Leigh will compete for the Miss Buelesque SA title next month. Source: Supplied

DANCE beauty Chrissie Brown has burlesque to thank for putting her on the right path.

Chrissie, aka Lyra la Belle, says her desire to perform on stage in the retro art form was born from body image issues in her teens.

"Burlesque to me is an inclusive art form, it doesn't take into consideration age or size," she says.

"It is about being comfortable in one's body and sensuality rather than sexuality. As a teen I suffered from shocking eating disorders and had a really distorted sense of self related to my body image."

While as a back-up dancer in London she mingled with Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Jamiroquai, Blue, Kate Moss and Geri Halliwell, she says her love will always be burlesque. The former local will be performing in the Miss Burlesque SA competition on June 4 at Nexus Cabaret with a bevy of beauties hoping to get through to the grand final.

Chrissie, whose boyfriend is theatre actor Andrew Bongiorno, is a familiar face in Adelaide during the Fringe, recently bringing a bunch of sassy girls to town to perform stage show Burlesque Beauties. Since moving into the world of vintage tease, she hasn't looked back.

"As a back-up dancer in London, the scrutiny on your body and competition can be very unhealthy," Chrissie says.

"Burlesque is all about feeling good about you. It is also incredible fun and I love dressing up!"

Oh and she also met The Mighty Boosh's Noel Fielding at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year, which she says was a "massive highlight".