Global burlesque icon Dita Von Teese, renowned for reviving old Hollywood glamour, has shared her candid thoughts on objectification. The 52-year-old performer revealed that she sometimes enjoys being sexualized and objectified, despite the topic being considered taboo.
During an appearance on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Dita admitted, “I know it’s really taboo to say, but sometimes you’re just like, ‘I just want to be objectified for a minute. Wouldn’t that be nice?'” She emphasized that she takes pleasure in creating a show that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers, ensuring an experience that feels fun, confident, and undeniably sexy.
Dita particularly enjoys when unsuspecting audiences, especially in Las Vegas, stumble upon her show without prior knowledge of her work. “They’re just like, ‘Yeah, this is hot,’ and I’m like, ‘Oh good. I’m glad that it’s still sexy and hot too,'” she said. Her goal is to leave even first-time viewers amazed, thinking, “That was so much fun. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.”
While Dita embraces the performative aspect of being objectified on stage, she clarified that the feeling is different in everyday life. When she’s not performing, unsolicited objectification can feel intrusive. However, in the context of her art, she sees it as an empowering and intentional part of her glamorous, boundary-pushing performances.