How did you get your stage name?
My stage name has a double meaning. Aqua Marine refers to the unique color of my eyes. “Aquamarine” is also the official gemstone of the state of Colorado in the USA, which is where I’m from.
How did you get into dance?
I was born in Colorado, USA. I started dancing at the age of three, following in the footsteps of my older sister, who is a dancer. I immediately loved dance. I grew up in a world of dance competitions, and when I was 18, I moved to Los Angeles to make my career as a dancer. I was introduced to cabaret dancing when I was performing in a burlesque show. One evening, when I was getting ready in the dressing room, a dancer looked at me and said: “You have to audition for Crazy Horse Paris!” At the time, I didn’t know anything about the cabaret. So I looked it up online, and by complete chance there was an audition in New York the following week. The planets seemed to align in a completely unexpected way, so I decided to take my chances. I booked a ticket to New York and went to the audition. It all happened very quickly. In the blink of an eye, I knew I’d been chosen to join the troupe and that my life was about to change. It was totally unreal, almost too fast for me to realize what was happening. Three months later, I moved to Paris.
What is the source of Crazy Horse Paris magic that has endured for more than 70 years?
What makes Crazy Horse Paris so unique is the way the show captures all the emotions that women may have experienced at some point in their lives For me, this show is a tribute to women: it celebrates femininity in all its depth and diversity. Every detail, from the lighting to the make-up, is meticulously designed to magnify the dancers’ exquisite beauty and emotions.
What kind of dancer are you when you are dancing on the Crazy Horse Paris stage?
I think my training in contemporary dance plays a big part in how I interpret movement. I have a very personal way of taking my time. I stretch each movement out to the last second, and I put a lot of intensity into my gaze. Working at Crazy Horse Paris, I’ve come to understand that the intensity of the stage presence carries you further than a simple physical performance. Many people in the audience won’t notice if a foot isn’t perfectly pointed or a movement is slightly off. What matters is that you’re engaged with the story you’re telling on stage, in order to convey dreams and emotions. That’s the most important thing.
What have you discovered about yourself since becoming a Crazy Girl?
I’ve become incredibly self-confident. Crazy Horse Paris dancers are so confident that it’s contagious! The fact that I dance the same choreography every night allows me to really become confident in my performance and make the stage my own. Moving to Paris on my own was also an eye-opener for me. It proved to me that I’m a determined, independent and accomplished woman. I am capable of crossing oceans to pursue my dreams.
Do you realize that by becoming a Crazy Girl, you’ve become an international fantasy?
It’s a bit crazy to think about. But it’s true that by joining the Crazy Horse Paris troupe, dancers absorb its special aura. They say that Crazy Girls embody the quintessence of femininity. There are moments when I truly realize what that means, for example, when people take photos of us, I am reminded that this troupe’s fame is something truly special.
What is your favorite act of the show?
My favorite act is Lay Laser Lay. I haven’t danced it yet, but it’s definitely the act I’ve been dreaming of doing. The wheel, the smoke, the green lighting and the dancer’s wet hair are all assertive artistic choices that make the number very powerful. It’s both sexy and moving… and incredibly feminine. There’s a definite intensity in this character who is in a vulnerable position, but who remains strong. This contrast fascinates me.
Photos: Paul-Henri Pesquet, Antoine Poupel
