Dita Von Teese’s ‘bananas’ tour rider is so bizarre
World famous burlesque performer Dita Von Teese has revealed a very bizarre request on her tour rider, that even she admits is quite “eccentric”.
Entertainment
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Burlesque star Dita Von Teese’s tour rider includes a visual guide to buying bananas so promoters have the perfect fruit for her backstage.
Von Teese, who recently toured Australia with her Glamonatrix show, told Confidential: “One of the most important things on my tour rider is bananas. A banana is an easy thing to eat when you’re wearing a corset, and have red lipstick on. I always have a banana.
“The funniest part about it is, we have banana chart that shows the level of ripeness I need.
“There’s a visual guide to buying bananas for Dita Von Teese. I know its eccentric, but it’s the only eccentric thing on my rider.
“I like it firm, not too sweet, and with a little bit of green.”
Von Teese likes that her shows — which explore themes like dominance and fetishism — are not particularly PC.
“I’ve always felt like a burlesque show has never been historically PC,” she said.
“However, I think one of the reasons we have such a big female and LGBTQ audience is, it’s a place of acceptance and diversity with regard to beauty, body shape, ethnicity and age.
“It’s also a place that’s risque in a lot of ways, and people feel more inspired to explore their sensual side when they leave a show. They may have seen someone in the performance they can aspire to.”
Von Teese is her own harshest critic, too.
“I spend a lot of time rehearsing, but after the show I watch the tapes, and sit there with a pad and paper, and write down all things I liked, all the things I didn’t like, and what I’d do better or differently next time,” she said.
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“I’m never ever resting on my laurels. I’m always trying to evolve show and make it better.”
However, when it’s showtime, Von Teese says it's about being in the moment.
“I study, study study, and do all the work, then I decide to let it go.
“I usually drink a half a glass of champagne just to get a little bit of that sugar rush, and the bubbles in my nose, and get out there and have fun.”