Soft White Underbelly - Sadomasochist interview-Lilith
The speaker, a 24-year-old burlesque performer and fetishist, shares her journey into burlesque, which began in Dallas when she sought a dance outlet while working as a behavioral therapist. She discovered burlesque through an aerial studio and has been performing for about a year. Her performances are inspired by classic burlesque with modern twists, incorporating elements of fetish and kink. She discusses her Armenian background, which influences her identity and sense of being different. Her interest in kink began in her late teens, driven by a desire for novelty and taboo experiences. She emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself despite societal norms and shares her experiences with latex and power dynamics in relationships. The speaker also reflects on her emotionally challenging childhood and the impact of her cultural background on her identity. She concludes with the insight that embracing one's desires and taking risks is essential for personal growth.
Key Points:
- Burlesque journey began in Dallas, inspired by a need for artistic expression.
- Performs Neo-burlesque with a mix of classic and modern elements, including fetish influences.
- Cultural background as Armenian contributes to her feeling of being different and misunderstood.
- Interest in kink and fetishism started in late teens, driven by novelty and taboo.
- Emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and taking risks for personal growth.
Details:
1. 🎭 Meet Lilith: A Multifaceted Performer
- Lilith is introduced as an 'antsy' performer, indicating her dynamic and energetic nature.
- She represents a multifaceted identity within the performing arts, suggesting a range of talents and roles yet to be explored.
- The segment sets the stage for delving into her diverse capabilities, emphasizing the potential impact of her work in the arts.
- Lilith's introduction implies a performer with a broad skill set, capable of engaging in various artistic expressions.
2. 💃 From Dance to Burlesque: A Journey of Self-Discovery
- The individual identifies as a burlesque performer, fetishist, and poet, showcasing a diverse and multifaceted identity.
- At 24 years old, the person is in a stage of self-discovery, illustrating a universal theme of personal growth and exploration.
- The journey into burlesque represents significant personal and artistic development, moving beyond traditional dance.
- Initial dance experience provided foundational skills and confidence that facilitated the transition to burlesque.
- Motivations included a desire for creative freedom and self-expression, which burlesque offered more than traditional dance.
- Challenges faced included overcoming societal stigmas and personal insecurities associated with burlesque performance.
- Specific insights gained include the empowerment through body positivity and the embrace of one's sexuality.
- The transition also involved developing a unique performance style that blends dance, poetry, and fetish elements.
3. 👗 The Allure and Comfort of Corsetry
- The speaker relocated to Dallas and, after a break from dancing, sought out a local studio, eventually finding an aerial studio that reignited their passion for performance.
- Discovering burlesque as a performance option during a student showcase led the speaker to embrace it, marking the beginning of their journey into burlesque.
- With about a year of experience, the speaker stands out as a burlesque performer in a scene dominated by pole performers, highlighting their unique contribution and dedication.
- The conversation shifts to corsetry, emphasizing its transformative effect on waist appearance and its allure in performance art.
4. 🌍 Embracing a Rich Cultural Heritage
4.1. Cultural Identity and Personal Experience
4.2. Balancing Cultural Expectations and Personal Comfort
5. 🔍 Realizing Kink: A Personal Exploration
- Sociocultural context influences personal expression, as seen in the change of cadence when interacting with different groups.
- Personal experiences and upbringing, such as pronunciation habits from parents, can impact individual expression.
- Recognition of personal kink identity occurred around age 17-18, during the transition from high school to college.
- The realization of a kink identity was not tied to a specific defining moment, indicating a gradual self-awareness process.
- Detailed personal anecdotes could include specific interactions or realizations during college that highlighted the speaker's kink identity.
- The interaction between personal and cultural factors suggests a complex development of kink identity over time.
6. 💡 Kink and Professional Pathways
- The speaker reflects on childhood experiences that align with their current kinks, specifically an interest in much older men and women in latex, inspired by 'Scooby-Doo'.
- They lacked a defining event but felt a natural curiosity and attraction toward these elements from a young age.
- Upon reaching adulthood, the speaker actively sought out like-minded individuals, leading to professional engagement in dungeons in LA.
- They transitioned from personal exploration to professional involvement, showing a structured approach to integrating personal interests with career pathways.
- The speaker's journey highlights how personal interests can evolve into professional opportunities within niche communities.
7. 🎤 The Evolution of Neo-Burlesque
- Neo-burlesque initially attracts individuals with its novelty and alternative appeal, particularly drawing those interested in taboo subjects and experiences that deviate from mainstream norms.
- Participants often have a higher risk profile at a younger age, which aligns with developmental psychological insights suggesting that risk-taking behavior is more prevalent before the prefrontal cortex fully matures.
- The art form is diverse, offering a wide range of experiences that can engage even those with more conventional tastes, indicating that neo-burlesque and kink communities have broad appeal beyond just niche audiences.
8. 🌟 The Art of Performance: Bridging Past and Present
- The speaker identifies with the BDSM fetish community and explores how it fits into their life.
- Historically, burlesque was a popular entertainment form with dedicated venues, but today it incorporates modern elements and lacks specific clubs.
- Neo-burlesque is a revitalized form of traditional burlesque, influenced by performers like Catherine Delish and Davantes, though performance spaces remain limited.
- The speaker performs freelance shows in diverse locations such as the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, the Golden Tiki Bar, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, and the Seattle Erotic Art Festival.
- Adding historical context, burlesque originated as a theatrical performance with musical and comedic elements, evolving into a platform for expressive, avant-garde art.
- Modern burlesque merges past influences with contemporary cultural themes, often performed in unconventional venues, reflecting a broader trend of art forms adapting to new social contexts.
9. 🌀 Personal Growth Through Alternative Lifestyles
9.1. Incorporating Unique Elements and Personal Preferences
9.2. Legal and Regulatory Considerations
9.3. Evolving Interest in Alternative Lifestyles
10. 🔗 Alternative Culture and Community
10.1. Personal Evolution
10.2. Early Experiences and Interests
10.3. Performance and Cultural Identity
10.4. Identity and Cultural Intersection
11. 🎬 Cinematic Influences and Personal Identity
11.1. Personal Identity and Self-Expression
11.2. Cinematic Influences
12. 👶 Navigating Childhood and Adolescence
12.1. Childhood Background
12.2. Emotional Challenges in Childhood
12.3. Coping and Reconnecting
12.4. Transition to Adolescence and Coping Mechanisms
13. 🏙️ Building Community in Los Angeles
13.1. Personal Transition to Los Angeles
13.2. Community Opportunities in Los Angeles
14. 🖤 Latex: Sensory and Aesthetic Pleasures
- Latex provides a unique sensory experience, described as feeling like a continuous 'hug', which contributes to the wearer's comfort and self-confidence.
- The aesthetic appeal of latex is significant; it creates a painted-on look which enhances personal style and self-expression.
- Wearing latex involves a ritualistic aspect, including careful dressing and maintenance, which adds to the overall sensory and aesthetic experience.
- The process of shining latex, whether done personally or with assistance, is described as enjoyable and part of the appeal.
- Latex can make the wearer feel 'unstoppable' and enhances the perception of self, contributing to a strong sense of identity and empowerment.
15. 💡 Life Lessons and Reflections on Growth
- The most important lesson learned is to follow personal desires and needs, as individuals know themselves best. This enables authentic living and fulfillment.
- The scariest part of taking action is the decision to jump, but the experience can be profoundly rewarding, offering new perspectives and growth opportunities.
- Embracing one's choices and persisting through challenges is essential for personal growth, demonstrating resilience and self-awareness.
- Individuals are complex and have the capacity to encompass a wide range of experiences and emotions, highlighting the importance of accepting and understanding one's full self.
16. 📸 The Soft White Underbelly Project
- The Soft White Underbelly is primarily a photography project that includes many video interviews, capturing diverse human experiences.
- The project released a limited-edition book compiling the best portraits from thousands of interviews, each accompanied by a notable quote.
- The book's exclusivity is enhanced by a no-reprint policy, emphasizing its collectible nature.
- The book is priced at $125, with an option for signed copies at $150, appealing to collectors and fans of the project.