by Sandra Levin
Move over Dita Von Teese! There’s a hot new starlet on the burlesque circuit and she goes by the name of Michelle “Toots” L’Amour. Graced with an unconventional girl-next-door beauty, Michelle’s features are somewhat unique. Adorned with flawless porcelain skin, dark coal eyes, short raven-black hair, a cleft chin and a curvaceously slender body, she stands at a height no taller than 5’6”, and tops off her aesthetic packaging with an au natural bust line, ranging somewhere between a full A-cup and a modest B. Her physical stats may be considered too pubescent for some individual’s taste as a performer, but her ass is an entirely different story. Earning the nickname as “The Ass that Goes Pow” as a term of endearment in burlesque-lingo, Michelle is widely known for the eye-popping tricks she performs with her perfectly-toned backside. Survey says this native Chicagoan gives whole new meaning to the phrase “having good assets”.
Michelle “Toots” L’Amour
Crowning her professional expertise with the coveted title of 2005 Miss Exotic World, Michelle is on the fast track to superstardom. Competing against some of the best in the business, she continues to master her craft with a coveted burlesque-technique of graceful showmanship. Toggling that rare naughty-but-nice dichotomy, Michelle continues to execute her stage performances in sensuality de mystique. Not to mention her most recent claim to fame as Brazil’s guest headlining performance, proving she possesses international appeal. It’s remarkable how that Michelle has quickly gained global recognition after only three years of performing. She’s been highly regarded for her participation as a contestant on the first season of NBC’s hit television show America’s Got Talent, and with a growing global fan base, she is taking her unique art of seduction all over the world.
Clearly deciphering the difference between burlesque theater performance and strip club acts, Michelle offers her professional opinion. “There’s a big difference between sensuality and sexuality,” she says, matter of factly. With further explanation she points out that the delivery of each performance is the major difference between both art forms. Commonly justified as an error in judgment to consider any stage performance that involves clothing removal as merely stripping, Michelle clarifies the distinction.
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“Where stripping mainly involves unrestrained eroticism, steel poles and lap dances, burlesque is the Rolls Royce art form of tease that combines finesse and sensuality in any given performance.” Mastered by such legends as Sally Rand, Gypsy Rose Lee, Dixie Evans and many others – today’s burlesque acts are receiving cult-like popularity amongst retro-theater performance aficionados.
Mind for Business Body for Sin 
Fully aware that the business entails a not-so-glamorous side; Michelle is well acquainted with the headaches of lewd sexual requests and unmerited romantic attachments from die-hard fans. Asked if burlesque is exploitive to women, Michelle explains, “It comes with the territory, because most people are unable to comprehend the difference between burlesque and stripping. It's complicated, but once you see a burlesque performance, the difference is clear.” That’s easier said than done, since she herself is still struggling to convince her family of that very fact. Raised in a devout Christian home, Michelle’s familial status with her parents is currently estranged, wherein she hasn’t spoken to them in the past couple of years. Going from bibles to boas was a radical shift in self-expression, which causes one to wonder what happened to ignite such a change. “It’s been tough,” says Michelle, who is obviously still uneasy with the relational strain, “but I don’t agree to have my will imposed upon.” Well, whether or not her parents view nudity as an expression of art or a blatant sin, one thing’s for certain -- Michelle L’Amour is the Mona Lisa of bare essentials.
A modern feminist in her own right, Michelle is completely un-phased by gestures of romantic hopefuls, and happily announces she is officially off the market. Betrothed to her soul-mate and business partner Franky Vivid, together they’ve created a dance troupe known as Lavender Cabaret. When she’s not performing, Michelle offers burlesque classes in the Chicagoland area, from beginner stage to advanced. “I'm trying to educate as many people as possible thru workshops and classes." Through teaching and performing, Michelle challenges and inspires her apprentice-hopefuls to discover what is sexy. "Ladies come in not exactly knowing what they're going to get, but they end up blown away." she says, They're also surprised at how much fun burlesque is and that it's not as easy as it looks."
For more information on Michelle L’Amour visit her website at www.lavendercabaret.com. |
