Life & Work with Ginger Collins of Studio City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ginger Collins.

Hi Ginger, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been on a quest to add as much sparkle to my life as possible – burlesque, pole, and cabaret seemed to be the best option. As it turns out, it is!

Growing up in Seattle I was surrounded by immaculate natural beauty and my father, a fine artist and musician helped hone my appreciation for beauty in all forms. I am pretty sure I have been singing since before I was born (my mother says she could sing high soprano only for the 9 months she was pregnant with me!) so as soon as possible I joined as many choirs as I could manage. I sang in choral groups through college and, although I was always drawn to theatre and cabaret, my life on stage wouldn’t begin for a few more years. What *did* begin at that time, however, was a secret love of pole dancing. I was quite steeped in a traditional religion which did not approve of sensuality or sexuality so I had to wrestle with a good amount of cognitive dissonance during those early years. Thankfully, our family value of “be yourself” won out and I’m so grateful it did!

Initially my deep love of all things “beauty” led me to pursue a career as a hair and makeup artist in my early 20’s so right out of college I moved to Los Angeles to attend makeup school. Something in my heart knew Hollywood was the right place to be, whether I was in front or behind the camera. During my first year here I joined a pole studio named Luscious Maven and what a ride it’s been since. In the fall of 2012 the studio held a showcase and I performed my first pole dance in front of a public audience = talk about rush! I was hooked.

Over the next few years, Luscious Maven taught me dance skills and how to develop stage presence. I was also always drawn to the glamour of burlesque but at the time I was still too insecure to strip down to pasties in public. In 2016 the studio held a Prince/Bowie tribute show and a hilarious image came to mind about stripping down to whipped cream and cherry pasties for my routine. The idea was so perfect for the song that I had to get over my holdups and thus I boldly crossed over into the world of burlesque, too!

Later that summer I joined the lineup of dancers at the historic Jumbos Clown Room in Hollywood where I have been gratefully entertaining patrons and kicking my legs in the air ever since! I have continued to work as a pole and burlesque dancer and a few years ago began to loop in my love of singing to my routines. I now have a Jessica Rabbit-inspired jazz and burlesque show which I have been lucky enough to perform overseas in Monaco!

Today I am hired for shows, events, television, and private parties in both in Hollywood and Europe for any combination of my art. My heart is so full that these dreams are coming true! When I was around 6 years old my grandmother gave me a small craft-store feather boa. I was thrilled and distinctly remember thinking “I love this… but I know that these come bigger and I want one someday.” Well, that someday has come 😊

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’d say it’s been a steady but at times slow-feeling forward journey. As with anything of value, the patience is worth it. The biggest struggles thus far have been between me and myself – I’ve had many paradigm shifts along the way and have had to let go of a cornucopia of limiting beliefs which felt familiar but were not serving my highest good. I’m sure there will be more inner shifts to come and I welcome them. One of the joys of this journey is the opportunity for true expression, and that requires authenticity – both with the audience and with myself.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a pole + burlesque dancer and singer, known for my mile-long legs while pole dancing in 8” heels, for my passionate love of glamourous rhinestoned costumes, and my classic easy-listening singing voice. I am known for my Old Hollywood look, be it a Jessica Rabbit inspired performance or classic showgirl burlesque routine. I bring sparkle and stage presence to every job I do!
What am I proud of? Perhaps the word grateful expresses that feeling more accurately. At times I am almost caught off guard when I reflect on the opportunities I’ve had and the fact that I’m living, working, singing and dancing in Hollywood, California. It certainly hasn’t been a gluten-free cake walk at times, but I am so thankful!
What sets me apart? Other than the fact that at least half the men in every audience like to tell me that I am tall (My response: Oh really? Are you a detective? 😉 ), I’d say it’s my crystal encrusted costumes and a genuine joy on my face each time I take the stage. My hope for every show is that the audience will walk away feeling uplifted; encouraged and empowered to pursue their dreams, too!

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The most important element of my success has been staying true to myself. Learning to listen to and trust my inner voice is vital – it keeps me going when times get hard, when I get discouraged, or when something doesn’t go as planned. It also keeps motivated and enthusiastic to try new things, reach out to new people, travel, keep showing up behind the scenes to train/rehearse, and to push past fear or limiting thoughts. Staying true to myself keeps me kind to people when they may be having a tough night and has also kept me away from forming professional relationships that my spidey-senses knew weren’t right for me.
Also, I try to treat everyone with love, kindness, and respect. We need more of that in the world.

Pricing:

• Contact for rates

Contact Info:

• Website: https://KissGingerCollins.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kissgingercollins/

Image Credits
Photographers:

Dean Hendler
Shane Karnes
Downtown Foto
Christopher Sheffield