Meet Loretta Erotique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Loretta Erotique.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Loretta. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As a young girl, I was seduced into my ongoing love affair with the world of Burlesque. It all began when I was a young girl in front of my television. Old Hollywood films being played on repeat birthed my appreciation with the glamour and elegance consistently displayed by iconic movie stars of the day. I tried to emulate their behavior and style. It was not until watching a particular episode of “America’s Next Top Model” that I realized that the old could come into the new. Dita Von Teese introduced me to that possibility. Dita was appearing as a guest judge. She was given the task of teaching contestants how to be seductive. Boom! Burlesque, there it was. That moment started my journey of growing into my femininity. From then on, at age fourteen, I posed in front of the mirror. I would grab what I could, where I could.

Whether it was my mother’s old lingerie or something I could create myself. I loved my performances for one and never dreamed it would be possible to show my femininity and talent to a larger audience. That all changed in 2017. I decided to take a risk, going to Los Angeles, attending Miss Tosh’s Beauty of Burlesque class. Making the decision to put myself out there that day, catapulted me into a community that has opened so many doors. I was able to not only attend live shows but also know the beautiful, talented women who performed in them! The Burlesque community is alive and I am so grateful I was welcomed with open arms. Through this community, I was able to find Miss Marquez’s Empowerment in Heels classes where I grew as a performer. I still have so much to learn but I am so happy and grateful for how far I have come in this incredible artistic community.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Luckily enough, although I have had struggles while growing as an artist, I’ve been blessed with a wonderfully supportive community. My biggest struggle has been with myself. I had to learn to love expressing my sexuality without shame after growing up in a traditional Latino household. In my case, I’ve had curves since I was nine. Even when I wore jeans there was no way to hide my hips. Any effort to conceal them appeared as if I was trying “too hard.” I started to resent my hips. I personally loved being feminine but growing up in a society where that overt sexuality seemed to be something only allowed for men it made me feel like I was not allowed to enjoy my body for my own. I felt like I didn’t have ownership.

One day that point of view shifted. I decided I wanted to express my sexuality and femininity as my own and I brand my hips rather than hiding them. I no longer cared if people stared, let them stare! Everyone only has one body and this one is mine. I’m proud of it. This is an ongoing process of acceptance, but I am working on it everyday with Miss Marquez’s classes. I echo the sentiments of the women of Empowerment in Heels that women should feel empowerment through their sexuality and find joy in the expression of it.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a Burlesque dancer in the LA community. I personally gravitate towards classic burlesque but I enjoy pushing my boundaries and dip into modern and alternative looks. I’m most known for my hips and I’m prideful in making my own costumes and props to incorporate into my acts.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as impacting an audience, I hope to extend my audience in the future because my outlook on a fulfilled life as an artist is to impact as many people as I can. My goal when it comes to performing is to allow the audience to escape their everyday life and for a brief moment enjoy and take in a fantasy. And being able to support myself in the process doing what I love.

Contact Info:

• Email: loretta.erotique@gmail.com
• Instagram: Loretta.e_

Image Credit:
Nikki @cre8cur8, Daniel J. Sliwa @danieljsliwa_media, Safi Alia Shabaik @flashbulbfloozy

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