On the day of competition, during the actual act, I made a mistake in my choreography and had to improvise with a costume removal. I added a leg-accentuation movement in order to get back on time in my music\u2026 and thought to myself, \u201cHoly Cow, did I really just screw up the whole act?\u201d \u00a0Right after that, all of the rehearsal I had done kicked in, and my body just kept going. My mouth was dry as a bone, so when my back was turned to the audience for a moment, I closed my mouth in a desperate attempt to create some kind of saliva so I could unstick my lips from my teeth. \u00a0Finally the act was over and I held my ending pose for the requisite time, and executed my stage exit as choreographed. <\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\n

I was certain that I\u2019d screwed up. I told myself, “try not to freak out… I did the best with what I could at the time, and it’s up to the judges anyway”.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, the time came for the judges decisions to be read by the emcee, Miss Astrid. My mind flashed back to 2002, the very beginning of my Burlesque journey. I had gotten Miss Astrid’s phone number when I met her at the first Tease-O-Rama. I basically cold-called her and asked her to put me in her show, the Va Va Voom Room. Reluctantly and tentatively, she gave me the newbie spot – which was my very first gig in New York. <\/span><\/p>\n

Flash back to 2011, standing in the back of the Orleans Theater, leaning against the wall behind the last audience row, pretty much certain there was no need for me to be backstage. Miss Astrid read out <\/span>the superlatives – Miss Astrid called out, \u201cMost Classic – Miss Indigo Blue!\u201d \u00a0– I was shocked! I had actually forgotten about the superlatives\u2026 I walked down the aisle, and up the stairs to the stage, to receive my trophy. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I thought to myself, \u201cwell, there it is! My prize! No Miss Exotic World for me. Best to smile and be gracious!\u201d \u00a0so I stood with my peers as the rest of the superlatives were announced. Most Comedic, Most Dazzling, Most Innovative.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then Best Newcomer, then Best Troupe, then Best Boylesque. <\/span><\/p>\n

Then it was time for the 2\u2019d Runner Up, Miss Exotic World. A hush overcame the crowd. The name was stunning and thrilling: Lily Verlaine, one of my best friends! \u00a0After receiving her trophy, she came to hold my hand in the line of honorees. <\/span><\/p>\n

Then 1st Runner Up: Anna Fur Laxis! \u00a0The stunning British Beauty had wowwed everyone with her glittering act. <\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, the pinnacle of Burlesque awards in the world: Miss Exotic World, the Reigning Queen of Burlesque. \u00a0Miss Astrid received the envelope, and opened it up. As she began speaking \u201cand now\u2026 Miss Exotic World\u2026\u201d she began walking slowly across the stage in the direction of Lily and me. \u201cMiss\u2026\u201d Lily and I gripped hands, \u201cIndigo Blue\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

I looked at Lily, \u201c…me?\u201d she smiled and released my hand, gesturing me towards Astrid\u2019s outstretched palm. <\/span><\/p>\n

Handed off from one dear friend to another, I walked forward to an unbelievable, humbling, gorgeous roar of an ovation from the entire packed 800 person house at the Orleans Showroom in Las Vegas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thinking about it even now makes vibrations go through my entire body. It was hard to believe that I had finally achieved such a long-sought-after dream. But that moment is one I will never forget. The feeling of warmth, overwhelm, humility, and appreciation is almost indescribable. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(The only thing that supercedes that moment in my life is the step-down act I performed at the Burlesque Hall of Fame the following year – but that\u2019s a story for a different day.)<\/span><\/p>\n

And the point of this story is, anyway, that leaving yourself an \u201cout\u201d just creates a pathway to that exit. The point of this story is that preparing to live the life of your dreams leads to just that – the life of your dreams. So, dive in. Do it differently than you have in the past. Ask yourself, what would I do if I was living the life of my dreams? \u00a0And then go do it.<\/span><\/p>\n

With love (and a sash & crown), <\/span><\/p>\n

Indigo<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.19.14″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.17″] When I first got into Burlesque, I almost immediately learned about the Burlesque Hall of Fame, and the Miss Exotic World competition. I\u2019ve always been a competitive person. And I was super excited about being a candidate for Miss Exotic World. Starting in 2002, I attended the Burlesque […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":27490,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[46,94,44,45,1],"tags":[62,74,124,137,123,59,77,102,76,48,114,53],"yoast_head":"\n