We recently connected with Zetta Laveau and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Zetta , thanks for joining us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I started performing as a burlesque artist in 2017 back in my home country (Chile) out of pure passion, because the culture around the arts there is very different.

In general people don’t have much of a habit of going to live shows of any kind, and with burlesque still being such a new and niche thing, it’s hard to make any money from it unless you’re a producer. There’s also no tipping at drag or burlesque shows, where in the US it’s a common practice.

I moved to Minnesota in 2021, so my first time making any money as a performer was that year at Nudie Nubies, a monthly amateur burlesque competition at a bar in St. Paul. Since it is a competition for newer performers it is an unpaid gig, but you keep your tips.

Knowing this my expectation was to make a few bucks, but this was all about trying to get my name out there, connecting with other performers and getting into the scene.

To my surprise the bar was PACKED, in my mind I only had my partner in the crowd to cheer me on, but turns out this crowd was super welcoming and enjoyed my acts, so being onstage was an exhilarating and joyful experience.

At the end of the night, not only did I have the time of my life but I actually won the competition. I returned backstage with a giant smile on my face and was then handed a big bag of tips. I first thought this HAD to be the tips for everyone and we had to split them, but no, these were my tips for the night and I could not believe it.

To this day, after doing several other shows at many different venues I can still say that the tips that night were indeed very generous, but at that time it really felt special (even more so when I realized how much money this would be in Chilean pesos , as I told the story to my friends and family back home).

In a way it felt like it took me 4 years to receive that validation, which made it even more rewarding. And I really think that money is validating in these circumstances, because as artists, money is the most tangible expression of others showing you that your art and what you do is worthy to them.

Than night was so significant in so many ways, it was my first time performing in the US (and making money at that!), my first live show after COVID, and truly what kickstarted my burlesque career as it is now.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’m Zetta Laveau, and I’ve been a burlesque performer since 2017.

I saw my first burlesque show in 2015 while visiting Minnesota and I was immediately hooked. The first time it was variety show with a few burlesque acts, and after that I just kept looking for more shows, dragging anybody that would come with me or going by myself. I was enamored by the moves and the costumes, but most of all by the confidence and ease that the performers exuded.

Once vacation was over I went back to my home in Santiago, Chile committed to find burlesque classes, there had to be a school somewhere. And I was correct, so I started my burly journey in 2016 and by January of 2017 I was debuting my first act.

Since moving to the US in 2021 my journey in this artform has accelerated tremendously, burlesque has become a big part of my life and there’s a lot more space and opportunities here for me to grow as an artist, which has been incredibly motivating. Currently I perform often in the Twin Cities, and have also started co-producing a show (Karaoke After Dark), MCing, teaching and traveling to perform out of state.

What I love most about burlesque is that it’s a very safe and diverse space that encourages self expression, exploration and enjoyment, however that may look for you. It can be sexy, silly, gory, funny, nerdy, elegant and so much more, possibilities are endless.

It has always been inherently political and countercultural, it’s all about reclaiming space (specially for historically marginalized people ) and taking ownership of our bodies, for me one of my responsibilities as a performer is to contribute to that from my own perspective.

That is why I love incorporating my culture into my acts, I’m proud of being a latina immigrant, and I have a unique story, voice and background that is influenced by my life experience.

Coming to the US has also made me more aware of the implications of being a person of color in this industry and the importance of advocating for inclusivity of all shapes, colors, sizes and abilities.

From a more emotional standpoint it has been so healing for me, Burlesque is how I relearned to connect with my body and my sensuality/sexuality from a place of acceptance, kindness and enjoyment. I’m confident that those feelings are transmitted to the crowd and what makes me a good performer is that connection, that moment where I get to share my happiest, most confident self with the crowd.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I was raised with this mindset of the arts being a great creative outlet that I was encouraged to explore, but also with this understanding that this interest had to be a hobby, not a career, because being a full time artists means instability and constant struggle (unless you have family wealth).

Along with that I was surrounded by these messages of how your work gives you purpose and dignity, and how it’s supposed to be your life’s main passion.

So I followed a path that reflected that. While I was always an artist, I went to school for psychology, became a therapist, got a regular job, etc.

It took me years to realize why I was unhappy at that and once I started doing burlesque it just became so obvious that this was my place all along, but I had to struggle with my own internalized judgment and my fears in order to redefine my priorities and what I wanted my life to look like.

It took a lot of emotional work for me to be comfortable with defining myself as an artist/performer/creative, I think in some ways I’m still on that journey, but today I can confidently say “I’m a burlesque performer” when people ask me the all too common (for a long time so nuanced and tricky) question “what do you do?”.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me being a good performer has a lot to do with human connection and vulnerability, and that’s a beautiful thing and one of the most rewarding parts of it.

When I’m on stage I feel my best, and I can share joy and positivity with others, that to me is very valuable.

Specially with burlesque, things like technique and costuming are important for sure, but what really makes a difference is the ability to put emotion and intention in what you’re doing on stage.

Understanding that has helped me on a personal level as well, I like to say that I’m a recovering perfectionist and that’s in part thanks to burlesque. When I let go of the guilt and frustration around my perceived mistakes (on stage and in life), I allow myself to be spontaneous and genuine and that’s the best way I’ve found to connect with the people around me.

Because I appreciate that connection with the crowd I also love those after show moment when someone will come up to me and chat for a bit, or the super sweet things that some people do when tipping (At my first show in the US I received a tip folded into an origami heart, I have that framed. Most recently someone threw a little flower, I put it in water as soon as I got home and still have it).

We all benefit from love and kindness and I try to move through this world with that in mind.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @zetta.laveau
• Other: Check out the show I co-produce at @karaoke_after_dark on Instagram

Image Credits
Barb McLean Jason Bucklin Tim Knox