Trading Pirouettes for Pasties: A Dancer's Evolution

Hi! I’m Ruby De Rouge, an award-winning burlesque artist, and welcome to my very first blog post. I’m excited to share a story that’s close to my heart—my journey from commercial dancer to burlesque performer. It’s a story of passion, persistence, self-discovery, and a lifelong love of dance that began when I was just four years old.

From the Front Row to the Stage

When I started dancing at four, it wasn’t about perfection—it was about fun. Ballet, tap, and jazz filled my early years, and I was always the kid who loved being in the spotlight. I wasn’t the best dancer in class. I didn’t have the perfect turnout or the highest jumps, but what I lacked in technique, I made up for in enthusiasm. I craved the front row. I loved performing and being the star, even if my skills hadn’t quite caught up with my ambition.

As I grew, dance became more than just a hobby—it became a serious pursuit. I trained competitively and eventually enrolled at Brent Street, one of Australia’s most prestigious performing arts schools, where I earned a diploma in classical and contemporary ballet. It was at Brent Street that I discovered a love for storytelling through movement. I enjoyed the fluidity of contemporary dance and the discipline of ballet, which helped me develop the technique I needed to turn my passion into a career.

Becoming a Princess

My first professional job was a dream come true—I became a Disney princess at Disneyland Paris. I performed in parades as multiple princesses, dancing and acting in character every day. This experience not only taught me about performance but also helped me develop a strong stage presence. Becoming a princess wasn’t just about nailing choreography; it was about stepping into a role and embodying a character fully. I learned how to captivate an audience, something that would become invaluable later in my burlesque career. Plus, I made incredible friends and memories along the way.

Six Years of Commercial Dance

After Disney, I spent six years working as a commercial dancer. I performed as a backup dancer, appeared in music videos, worked as a showgirl, assisted magicians, and took on a variety of gigs. On paper, it was everything I had ever dreamed of—performing professionally, traveling, and living the life of a dancer. But over time, something started to shift.

I realised I was tired of being at the mercy of someone else’s vision. The costumes were rarely flattering, the choreography often didn’t feel right for me, and I had no control over my working conditions. I couldn’t negotiate my pay, choose my hours, or even decide how I wanted to move. I loved dancing, but I didn’t love the lack of autonomy that came with commercial work.

Discovering Burlesque

In 2023, everything changed when I met an incredible burlesque artist named Clara Fable. She introduced me to a world I didn’t even know existed—a world where dancers had full creative control. In burlesque, you choose the costumes, the choreography, the music, the themes, and even your own pay. It’s an art form that allows for total self-expression, something I had been longing for throughout my entire dance career.

Burlesque felt like the perfect culmination of everything I had loved about dance from the beginning. As a child, I wanted to be the star. At Disney, I loved playing characters. And as a commercial dancer, I had honed my performance skills. Burlesque brought all of those elements together while giving me complete artistic freedom. I was finally my own boss, in charge of every aspect of my craft—from the tiniest rhinestone on my costume to the final beat of my music.

Where I Am Today

Now, as a burlesque artist, I feel more fulfilled than ever before. I’ve found a way to combine my love of dance, storytelling, and performance into something entirely my own. Every act I create is a reflection of who I am as an artist. I get to choose what I wear, how I move, and the story I tell on stage. It’s empowering, creative, and exactly what I’d been searching for all along.

This blog is just the beginning of sharing my journey with you. Whether you’re a fellow performer, a dance lover, or simply curious about the world of burlesque, I hope my story resonates with you. Dancing has taken me on an incredible journey—from pirouettes to pasties—and I’m so excited to see where it leads next.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you’ll stick around for more!

— Ruby De Rouge