Dita Von Teese (oh yes, you knew it was coming)
So, I pretty much adore her with every fiber of my being. She is sensationally amazing at her profession, I love her activism, her intelligence, how motivating she is, and so many other things about her.
So, how did I discover Dita? Funny thing is, I'm not exactly sure. I was about 13 when I started to obsess over her. I know one of the things that set my interest off was seeing her in a Green Day music video (redundant) because I obviously love them. I think I found a picture of her somewhere that reminded me of Bettie Page, so I did some research. Then I got into Marilyn Manson seeing as how they were together at the time. The rest is history..
Her career astounds me. I love how she advocates vintage glamour and nostalgic imagery with her burlesque routines. I always thought it was kind of odd she was compared to Bettie Page. Bettie Page was a bondage model, and Dita is famous for her burlesque dances. I suppose its her image more than anything. She's more like a modern Sally Rand or Gypsy Rose Lee. It aggrivates me so much when people see nudity and judge it as something obscene. Theres something artistic about vintage burlesque dancers and pinup girls, and Im glad there are people like Dita bring that back. I think alot of the critiscm agaisnt her is out of jealousy. Some of those degrading her would not have the courage to do what she does with her body on a stage surrounded by hundreds, even thousands of people. I know I wouldn't. You would have to be so confident and secure. That takes alot more than just looking pretty and having outer beauty. I love Ditas response to these people
"Some people say what I do isn't very liberating. I say it's pretty liberating to get $20,000 for 10 minutes work." -Dita
And some people act as if having outer beauty is a crime or something. I disagree. If you like dressing up in nostalgic costumes and wearing dramatic make up, shoudn't you be able to without being judged as being snooty and materialistic? It's a hobby like any other. Some people like building model cars, some people like collecting trading cards, and some people like prancing across a stage wearing corsets making their way to dance in a sparkling martini. I love the diversity.
I also admire her activism. She does so much, and she doesn't make a big deal out of it. She doesn't go around using it as a mechanism to promote herself, and in comparison to some celebrities, I think thats awesome. She's involved in a campaign fighting AIDs, and she isn't streching into unfamiliar territory to do it. Shes targeting her fans in a way that will be effective; with make up. Mac's Viva La Glam line of make up donates money to help stop AIDs from spreading in Africa for every lipstick purchaed. Donate isn't the exact word to use, because it isn't going to some third-party charity; its a charity they set up so you know your money will help. And it isn't a fraction of the price, every cent you're paying for that goes to help support people living with AIDS.
Her intelligence is another quality I enjoy so much about her. She has the intelligence to be respectful and make good choices, and she isn't in tabloids every single week for some ridiculous scandal. When she got divorced from Marilyn Manson, I think I was more upset than I was when my own parents got divorced. That kind of destroyed my life plans. (run away to California and have Dita and Marilyn adopt me) But she handled it so well, you didn't see her in magazines bashing and slamming Marilyn. She simply said they had differences they couldn't reconcile. She is also a fabulous writer, alot of people aren't aware that she has her own book out. The language she uses is vivid and descriptive, and captivating. Then again, could a book about burlesque be boring? I think not.
One of the main reasons why I think she is so wonderful would be her ability to motivate people. Everything she has didn't just fall into her lap one day, she worked and worked and worked some more to get where she is. She didn't always have support for her career choices. She had been interested in vintage culture from the time when she was a little girl waching the Wizard of Oz. She stuck with that interest all her life, even during her school years when she was teased for it. She studied historic costuming in college. That kind of dedication is rare, and I love it. Her father didn't understand what she was doing at all, and even threatened to kick her out. Now, he is more accepting of what shes doing, but I'm sure anyone of you will agree that living in a constant conflict with your parent isn't easy. How she has evolved her career is also motivating. She went from working in a lingere store, to being a high in demand model, an activist, an actress, a writer, and a burlesque dancer with more fame than her wildest dreams could contain.
And for those of you who may dislike all models because you foolishly believe they're all mindless zombies who starve themselves...
If anyone actually took the time to read all of that; thank you! I'm glad you did.
So, how did I discover Dita? Funny thing is, I'm not exactly sure. I was about 13 when I started to obsess over her. I know one of the things that set my interest off was seeing her in a Green Day music video (redundant) because I obviously love them. I think I found a picture of her somewhere that reminded me of Bettie Page, so I did some research. Then I got into Marilyn Manson seeing as how they were together at the time. The rest is history..
Her career astounds me. I love how she advocates vintage glamour and nostalgic imagery with her burlesque routines. I always thought it was kind of odd she was compared to Bettie Page. Bettie Page was a bondage model, and Dita is famous for her burlesque dances. I suppose its her image more than anything. She's more like a modern Sally Rand or Gypsy Rose Lee. It aggrivates me so much when people see nudity and judge it as something obscene. Theres something artistic about vintage burlesque dancers and pinup girls, and Im glad there are people like Dita bring that back. I think alot of the critiscm agaisnt her is out of jealousy. Some of those degrading her would not have the courage to do what she does with her body on a stage surrounded by hundreds, even thousands of people. I know I wouldn't. You would have to be so confident and secure. That takes alot more than just looking pretty and having outer beauty. I love Ditas response to these people
"Some people say what I do isn't very liberating. I say it's pretty liberating to get $20,000 for 10 minutes work." -Dita
And some people act as if having outer beauty is a crime or something. I disagree. If you like dressing up in nostalgic costumes and wearing dramatic make up, shoudn't you be able to without being judged as being snooty and materialistic? It's a hobby like any other. Some people like building model cars, some people like collecting trading cards, and some people like prancing across a stage wearing corsets making their way to dance in a sparkling martini. I love the diversity.
I also admire her activism. She does so much, and she doesn't make a big deal out of it. She doesn't go around using it as a mechanism to promote herself, and in comparison to some celebrities, I think thats awesome. She's involved in a campaign fighting AIDs, and she isn't streching into unfamiliar territory to do it. Shes targeting her fans in a way that will be effective; with make up. Mac's Viva La Glam line of make up donates money to help stop AIDs from spreading in Africa for every lipstick purchaed. Donate isn't the exact word to use, because it isn't going to some third-party charity; its a charity they set up so you know your money will help. And it isn't a fraction of the price, every cent you're paying for that goes to help support people living with AIDS.
Her intelligence is another quality I enjoy so much about her. She has the intelligence to be respectful and make good choices, and she isn't in tabloids every single week for some ridiculous scandal. When she got divorced from Marilyn Manson, I think I was more upset than I was when my own parents got divorced. That kind of destroyed my life plans. (run away to California and have Dita and Marilyn adopt me) But she handled it so well, you didn't see her in magazines bashing and slamming Marilyn. She simply said they had differences they couldn't reconcile. She is also a fabulous writer, alot of people aren't aware that she has her own book out. The language she uses is vivid and descriptive, and captivating. Then again, could a book about burlesque be boring? I think not.
One of the main reasons why I think she is so wonderful would be her ability to motivate people. Everything she has didn't just fall into her lap one day, she worked and worked and worked some more to get where she is. She didn't always have support for her career choices. She had been interested in vintage culture from the time when she was a little girl waching the Wizard of Oz. She stuck with that interest all her life, even during her school years when she was teased for it. She studied historic costuming in college. That kind of dedication is rare, and I love it. Her father didn't understand what she was doing at all, and even threatened to kick her out. Now, he is more accepting of what shes doing, but I'm sure anyone of you will agree that living in a constant conflict with your parent isn't easy. How she has evolved her career is also motivating. She went from working in a lingere store, to being a high in demand model, an activist, an actress, a writer, and a burlesque dancer with more fame than her wildest dreams could contain.
And for those of you who may dislike all models because you foolishly believe they're all mindless zombies who starve themselves...
If anyone actually took the time to read all of that; thank you! I'm glad you did.
Comments
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that burger looks yummy....
*tries to eat it*
great blog!
NiMrOd_1995, June 11th, 2007 at 05:02:40am
That end bit made me laugh really hard.
Ol' Blue Eyes., June 11th, 2007 at 01:03:07am
o_o
Wow. I didn't know she did all that.
All I knew was that she was Marilyn's wife and she's a burlesque dancer.
It's so great, with all she's doing for charity. :]
asthenia., June 4th, 2007 at 01:53:01am
an amazing blog
you have a way with words :]
paper heart., June 1st, 2007 at 06:01:46am
amazing blog
:]
Fallop!an Cwac Cwac., May 31st, 2007 at 07:26:51pm
"And for those of you who may dislike all models because you foolishly believe they're all mindless zombies who starve themselves..."
i personally liked this part with the picture. =]
Stef., May 31st, 2007 at 03:27:05am
Great blog. I love your use of words.
dramamine;, May 31st, 2007 at 03:01:01am
i knew she was in the redundant, it was a very interesting blog...
PaNcAkEs, May 31st, 2007 at 01:44:26am
I actually wanted you to make a blog on her tbh. The way you mention her a lot made me curious as to what exactly she does. =]
Stef., May 30th, 2007 at 05:52:33pm
I knew she looked familiar! Wow, it was in front of me the whole time and I never noticed!
Protest, May 30th, 2007 at 05:33:04pm
yes Dita is pretty Pwning B)
i love her vintageness
Mycophobia, May 30th, 2007 at 04:45:33pm
Kurtni, love your blogs. :D
I had known what Dita looked like, but nothing about her other than she was "Manson's Wife." The way you write intriques (spelling) me everytime I glance at your blogs, and then I end up reading all of that blog. Have you considered writing as a profession?
ripcujiepoo, May 30th, 2007 at 04:33:23pm
Kurtni to be honest I never hated her, but I never thought anything of her either. I think its because I wasn't informed, I only thought of her as Marlyn Manson wife. But because you liked her so much I went into more research. As I like vintage as well I started fancying her even more, her work as well. And when the whole divorce thing came, I think it was the breaking point when I really started to like her because I admire how she handled the whole situation. I also like her dedication to burlesque as you mentioned. A week ago I read an interview in a magazine called Psychologist and I was once again astounded by her intelligence. She said that she didn't want to be like the vintage film stars, but she wanted to be the charathers they play. That pretty summons my thoughts up.
worn-out astronaut., May 30th, 2007 at 03:53:39pm
I read that all. -is proud- =3
Even though I don't know nearly as much about her as you do I can say from what I've read she sounds like an amazing person and I really admire all the hard work she's done.
I too am using the Dita template (it's so nice and pink and colourful) :coolio:
V. nice blog Kurtni.
And on a completely off topic note: That picture has now made me want a burger. Nice.
Erin; Technophile, May 30th, 2007 at 02:40:45pm
I used to use it as well. :tehe: I love the colors.
anyway. SUPER BLOG KURT.
rollerpig, May 30th, 2007 at 02:39:31pm