It's an amazing thing to say, 'I'm beautiful,' without feeling like you're cocky.

I lose myself in my performances so I wouldn't say that I ever act on stage. I don't find it to be an acting drill for me. I just find it to be something very real that comes from a very gut-driven, honest place.

I've always been really good with my heels. Even pregnant, I could perform in heels.

I still got the nasty in me.

Just the whole concept of burlesque, I've always been fascinated with it. I've always collected so many books about burlesque.

When I first came out there was no such thing as Twitter or Facebook. And the blogs! Like, what is that?

Independence was a big, big thing for me. I saw my voice as a way out - when my parents fought, I'd run up to my room, put on The Sound of Music, open the window and sing out. My voice was my escape.