Apparently They Can Strip
Finals held in "amateur" strip contest
Paul Jones
Roxy celebrates after winning first prize in the "So You Think You Can Strip" contest.
It was initially advertised as an amateur strip show contest looking for "students, housewives, secretaries, and the girls next door..."
But the finalists at the recent "So You Think You Can Strip" finals were anything but amateurs. Perhaps it was the recession that brought out all these "pros" out from fine dancing establishments all over Chicagoland to compete for the $15,000 worth of prizes in the Admiral Theater's contest.
So instead of awkward stage gyrating and nervous high-heel strutting, the crowd was treated to a determined group of contestants ready to compete.
They had some help. Popular local burlesque entertainer Angela Eve worked with each of the finalists to hone their acts.
What transpired were elaborate stage productions, costumes and props, including a motorcycle on the stage and yes, a live snake.
More than $15,000 in prizes was given out to the finalists, with the winner, Roxy, taking home the top prize. Roxy, who was been dancing for a couple years now, heads to Las Vegas to compete in the national finals at Club Paradise and plans to buy a motorcycle with her winnings.
After the contest was over, many of the contestants went right back to work on stage. Gotta get that stimulus package somehow.
