Spectacles of Agency and Desire: Dance Histories and the Burlesque Stage

Exotic Dancers and Celebrities with their Exotic Pets



Josephine Baker and her Cheetah
One of the most famous Burlesque Dancers to incorporate exotic animals into her dance routine was Josephine Baker. Born into extreme poverty and quickly rising to fame when she began dancing, Josephine Baker was constantly reinventing herself. With a strong presence in the media, she could be seen walking her pet cheetah who was also incorporated into her shows. In a biography, it explains that “Chiquita, the cheetah, performed with her on stage, and often was seen wearing a diamond collar and strolling down the streets of paris with Josephine” (Scholl). Throughout her career she maintained her presence in the spotlight through both her exotic pets and her political activism and presence in the African American Community. Because of this she was under a lot of scrutiny for being a political activist and stripper at the same time. Having this chained wild animal as a companion could be related to her attempt to appear powerful in the public eye. Being able to tame a wild beast gave her control.


Zorita and her Snake
Burlesque Dancer known as “Zorita” was infamous for her pet snake that she took on walks as well as performed with. This snake was in the public eye numerous times due to animal cruelty laws while she was touring as well as the absurdity of her being seen walking this exotic creature on a leash. In a 1949 Los Angeles Times it describes that “for Zorita, the snakes are her dancing partners. She squirms around with them nightly in an act which she represents as a love dance taken from Greek mythology. For purposes of safety and convenience, Zorita places Scotch tape over the snake’s mouth before the dance. For some explained reason she also blindfolds the python before beginning her gyrations in a G-string and bra.” The use of the Scotch tape raised anger among the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Her snake was confiscated after her last performance in New York and she was charged with accounts of animal cruelty. 

In Atlantic City in 1939 she debuted her snake act which was seen by the public as both innovative and exotic as well as cruel and improper.  A newspaper article about that performance describes that “The act which drew the fire of Commissioner Burnett was billed as “The consummation of a marriage between Zorita and a Snake.” The club was jammed las summer when it featured Zorita and her dance with a 16 foot snake. Two state investigators testified that the snake was “suggestive” and that Zorita was “nude” when she completed her act. Edward Kravis, the manager of the club, said it received no objection from patrons.” Clearly opinions were mixed in terms of popularity and appropriateness of this act. Authorities fought to ban them while audience members seemed to have no complaints.

In Florida, she was active in lobbying a new bill that would allow her to perform with her snake. A Miami newspaper explains that “Gaiety Club snake dancer Zorita this week turned a state legislator’s proposed bill for outlawing possession of imported reptiles in Florida into a sock piece of publicity for herself with it, amendment of the proposed law to allow the use of the boa constrictors she uses in her act. Zorita had made a personal trip to Tallahassee as a one-woman “snake lobby” to get the change in the bill which — if passed in original form — would have required her to get a new type of partner for her routine.” Zorita clearly had a political presence defending her art and went to extreme measures to keep her boa constrictor in her show.  Zorita and her snake were very prevalent in the media and it shaped the way the public viewed her as a performer and celebrity in terms of exoticism and the amplification of her persona. 

Irma The Body and her Corgis 
In a clipping from The Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine in 1966, the article titled The Shape Burlesque Is In it states that “Irma the Body brought along her Welsch Corgis” backstage with her and wherever she toured or performed. Aside from this quote there are many photos as well documenting her with her dogs back stage. Another picture shows Irma and her corgis winning best in show at a breeding competition. This source states that “after Irma retired from dancing, she bred and showed corgis.” Irma the Body is a good example of someone who found a way to have companionship as a famous touring burlesque dancer. While they were only dogs, this still gives a lot of insight into the burlesque companion and how dancers dealt with loneliness and traveling in the business. 

Celebrities and Singers with Exotic Pets 
Outside of Burlesque Dance, there have also been famous actresses and singers that are known for having exotic pets. For example, Michael Jackson had a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles. Audrey Hepburn had a pet deer that she took grocery shopping with her as seen in one of the photos on Scalar. Actress Sarah Bernhardt, aside from sleeping in a coffin, was famous for having goats, spiders, a boa constrictor, a puma, two horses, a parrot, and a baby alligator who died from drinking too much champagne. Similar to Zorita, Britney Spears was seen in one of her most popular music videos dancing with a snake. What these celebrities seem to have in common is using animals to draw attention from the press and media. Animals in performance, particularly exotic ones, tend to amplify the performer and the persona of the celebrity which can be seen both inside and outside of burlesque dance. 
 

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