The strip club remains a staple of American culture. It’s an expected stop for every bachelor party, and almost everyone over the age of 21 will visit a strip club at some point.
While strip clubs are mainstream for customers, the stigma from working as an exotic dancer is hard to shake. So hard to shake that if not kept a guarded secret, even years later, even in death, even if you rise to the ranks of a judge people may still identify you as a stripper first.
While this stigma has lead most retired dancers to minimize or silence their past, several celebrities are known to have worked as exotic dancers.
Lady Gaga
Before becoming and international pop star and Golden Globe winning actress, Lady Gaga was an exotic dancer. Since then she has been an advocate for LGBT rights and spread important awareness about the issue of campus rape.
Catherine Zeta Jones
Catherine Zeta Jones can boast an Academy Award, and has over a dozen films and television appearances under her belt, but before all of that she was an exotic dancer.
Brad Pitt
Even more impressive than his career as a movie star, Brad Pitt and his wife Angelina Jolie have adopted three children. Biological children included, that makes him a father of six. In addition to being a father, Pitt has contributed to rebuilding homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and is involved in 41 charities. He too was once an exotic dancer.
Eve
In 2o14, Eve was named one of the top 10 richest female rappers. Before becoming a rapper, Grammy winner, and actress, Eve was an exotic dancer. Today, Eve is a Goodwill Ambassador for Malaika, a non profit that provides education and healthcare to people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Diablo Cody
Diablo Cody is the author of Candy Girl: A Year In The Life Of An Unlikely Stripper. While the title of her book incorrectly implies there is such a thing as a stereotypical or likely stripper, it is a fun read. Perhaps she only meant to imply that she started working as an exotic dancer out of curiosity as opposed necessity. In any case, the talented writer went on to win an Oscar for her screenplay, Juno.
Nene Leakes
Nene Leaks came to fame for her role in, The Real Housewives of Atlanta. She can now add author, fashion designer, actress, and hostess to her resume. Beyond career, Leaks is known for her soft spot for animals. Leaks is very candid about her past as an exotic dancer.
Channing Tatum
I assume he didn’t do too much studying to get into character for Magic Mike. Since his career in adult entertainment, Tatum has gone onto star in dozens of movies and television shows. Tatum has won Best Actor at Cannes, and Best Comedic Performance by MTV Movie Awards to name a few. He’s also an advocate for rescue animals. He urged people to adopt at the 2014 Thanksgiving Cause For Paws show.
Carmen Electra
In addition to 81 IMDB actress credits which include Scary Movie, the actress released a music single, and she released her own collection of fitness videos. The business mogul has also released an in home pole dance kit.
Kathleen Hanna
Writer, Punk singer, and artist Kathleen Hanna was once an exotic dancer. Hanna starred in a film about her life entitled, The Punk Singer. She is known for being a feminist singer and activist for women’s rights.
Amber Rose
Author, model, video vixen, business mogul, and actress, Amber Rose has been very candid about her career in adult entertainment. She has been unapologetic about it even though mainstream media silences most women who speak about sex work outside of a cautionary tale of regret.
Today Amber Rose is an activist. Her annual “Slut Walk” raises money for charities and aims to end body shaming, sexual violence, gender inequality, as well as spread awareness about consent.
Amber’s non-profit website states:
“A strong woman stands up for herself, a stronger woman stands up for everyone else.”
Featured image of Amber Rose via YouTube screengrab.
