How did you get your stage name?
I’m Cookie Cupcake because I can’t resist a delicious pastry and because I like to live life on the sweet side – I like things sweet, light and fun! On stage, I’m a bit like a delicious colorful treat to be savored during the show.
How did you get into dance?
I come from the countryside near Melbourne, Australia, where there is a mix of beaches and farms. I started dancing at the age of six, and from that moment, I knew it was my destiny. But my path hasn’t always been easy, and I’ve had to overcome two major hurdles. First was growing up in a very strict community where women were expected to fulfil roles that were the opposite of the artistic life I aspired to; the second was living with ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which made things harder for me, but also more rewarding.
I was sixteen when I first heard about Crazy Horse Paris. I had to perform But… I am a good Girl for a dance competition. My teacher showed me a video of Crazy Horse Paris and asked me to imagine myself as a show girl. At the time, I was too young to understand the subtleties of the role, but the idea stuck with me! Over the years, Crazy Horse Paris became my ultimate goal. I was determined: I knew that I’d be part of that troupe one day.
After high school, I studied at the Ministry of Dance in Melbourne and had my first professional experiences at Disneyland in Tokyo and Shanghai. When I returned to Australia, I started teaching dance. I loved it, but teaching took up so much of my time that I no longer had time to dance. I felt I was on the wrong path, so I resigned, and the next day I saw that Crazy Horse Paris was auditioning! I didn’t stop to think: I just grabbed a plane ticket and went for it, and here I am!
What kind of a woman are you on stage at Crazy Horse Paris?
At first, I thought I had to play a role. But then I realized that the best version of Cookie Cupcake is myself. I love having fun on stage and sharing my joy with the audience. I feel free to be myself. I think that’s what comes across in my performances: a happy, authentic woman who is full of life.
What message would you like to share with the public?
When I’m on stage, I want to embody the joy and pleasure of dancing. But I also have another message. I grew up thinking that I might never have a career on stage because of my ADHD. Deep down, I hope to show other women that they are able to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.
As a Crazy Girl, what is your vision of femininity?
I grew up with the idea that women should show their bodies as little as possible and serve their husbands and families. Femininity, as I knew it, was controlled, even invisible. Since I’ve been dancing at Crazy Horse Paris, I’ve discovered a different kind of femininity, a power I never imagined. Here, I feel free to express my sensuality without restraint.
What is your favorite act of the show?
My favorite act is Baby Buns. It’s light and cheerful, and I love the music! I also have a soft spot for But…I am a good Girl, because it was through this act that I discovered Crazy Horse Paris. It has a special place in my heart.
Photos : Paul-Henri Pesquet, Antoine Poupel, François Goizé
