From Zimbabwe To Brighton: Drag, Burlesque, Art and Becoming The Madame

Send us Fan MailWhat if fear was a pool you could swim in? We sit down with The Madame—Brighton’s glitter-dipped force of nature—to trace a life built from courage, community, and craft. From a conservative childhood in Zimbabwe to earning icon status on the south coast, she unpacks how drag and burlesque became both art and antidote: a way to rewrite internal scripts, set hard boundaries, and choose joy over ego.Across an hour of candour and wit, we map the evolution of a persona and the human underneath. The Madame talks about leaving a safe residency for the unknown, why auditions are art even when they don’t land, and how to protect an “artistic signature” in a copy‑heavy world. We dive into the overlap between drag and burlesque—parody, pageantry, shared rhinestones—and the practical realities audiences never see: pink tax discoveries in the shaving aisle, heels that change how you move, and the Monday crash after weekend highs. You’ll hear how stripping taught consent in real time, what it takes to keep your voice when the sound is bad, and why hydration and good shoes might be the most underrated stage tech.Grounding sits at the heart of it. We trade tools that actually work: transcendental meditation before tough shows, one‑line‑a‑day journals that reveal life cycles, seaside walks that reset frazzled nerves. We question social media’s highlight reels, reframe jealousy as a compass, and practice self‑validation when the crowd is silent. There’s a gift for nine‑to‑fivers too: build an alter ego for hard rooms, a steady advocate you can switch on without draining your battery. Above all, we return to the same note—art is worth most when you remain yourself.If this conversation gave you courage or clarity, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more creatives can find us. Your support helps bring more brave voices to the mic.This episode is sponsored by our amazing lead sponsor Crystal Parade a one stop place for all your gorgeous crystals and sparkles for costumes and beyond. https://crystalparade.co.uk/Our Second sponsor is the fabulous Lindsay McGlone your go to I.G expert https://lindsaymcglone.co.uk/Support the show🎙️ Behind Burlesque. The Burlesque Podcast— Hosted by Isabella BlissPulling back the curtain on life behind the glamour.✨ Real stories. Raw courage. The sparkle beneath the spotlight.🎧 New episodes every month — listen, subscribe, and leave a review.🌐 Follow us on Instagram @behind_burlesque and @miss_isabella_bliss📩 For partnerships & guest enquiries: [email protected]