Jane - Life Lessons
You have to love yourself to find confidence. Don’t be afraid to wear what you want, express how you feel or say what you think - ever!! If anybody disapproves (and there will always be someone), don’t let it affect you - because our self-perception and self-confidence should never be determined by others.
Can you tell us about your roots, about growing up?
I grew up interraced - Asian and Australian, in a suburban somewhat racist community. This gave me a unique insight into two very difficult cultures. As an adult looking back, I think I was so fortunate to have had a varied and unconventional upbringing.
What was your childhood / teenage dream? What did you want to become
Having grown up in a fairly conservative middle-class family, I had always focused on academia. I never imagined that at any period of my life that I would profit from my sexuality or looks. The apple fell a little far from the tree.
For a long time I was pursuing a career in law before I realized that it was the social status that was associated with the role I desired to have at the time that the environment or industry itself.
Any idols during the teenage period?
Growing up, I felt as though the emphasis was on fitting in. In my adulthood, I’ve found that you are encouraged to embrace your individuality. How does one person make sense of that?! I have always loved people who are unafraid and unashamed of being different.
When did you start with modeling? Can you recall your first photo session?
I didn’t make a decision to start modeling. People see your shows and see how you use your body, and in a way that translates to still images. I started to say yes to modeling for different photographers both paid and unpaid. One photoshoot tends to lead to the next, and so on.
Implied nude / Nude photos - when have you done your first nude photo session?
My first nude photo shoot was for a local performing arts photography school. I had no issue with nudity as I had been stripping for a while by then, but modeling and stripping are two completely different art-forms. Modelling is more collaborative as you strive to share the same vision as the photographer/s whereas stripping is more independent.
How was the feeling?
Modelling was almost foreign to me, I felt like such a fraud in front of so many cameras! Not to mention, butt-naked. I had so much fun though and it gave me the experience I needed to continue modeling.
Reactions from people close to you?
I am so fortunate to have a supportive, non-judgmental group of friends that have my back and encourage me no matter what I am doing.
After a while, you learn to stop caring what people think. But in saying that, I respect my family’s wishes and don’t release all of what I’ve done where it might offend someone close to me or be detrimental to their image. If I know someone has different sensitivities, they don’t have to look but I also don’t have to deliberately show them. Those who want to access my content and what I’m working on know where and how to view it.
Fetish / BDSM photo session. Tell us more about that.
A company called PM Leather who design high-quality leather belts that double as restraints and I collaborated on producing those images with a local photographer GazzaB, whom I had worked with previously. I loved that shoot because it was dynamic - it always helps to have props. But also because I feel comfortable embodying anything somewhat taboo.
Latex or Leather? What do you prefer and why?
Both are super sexy but my preference lies with latex for costumes. The aesthetic is hot! The leather is far more durable though, so I prefer to wear leather day-to-day (when it’s not stinking hot).
Showgirl and Stripper. Can you tell us more about those jobs? What is the difference between them? What is a Showgirl and what Stripper does? We all have prejudice from movies how it looks like.
Although both are considered adult entertainment, a showgirl is more aligned with burlesque and a themed, choreographed performance targeted towards a crowd seeking entertainment. A stripper comes with an unwritten warning of leaving a crowd wanting more as it is more sexual in nature.
Sometimes you face a lot of shame and prejudice being a stripper and showgirl because it is often wrongly perceived as a last resort and you’ll definitely encounter slut-shaming.
Both are sexual in nature and in this job you are encouraged to express a feminine sexuality that all women possess but many are unable to publicise in their corporate roles but wish to. I suppose that is why the adult industry is so stigmatised. The irony is that we all are orientated towards sex but being openly sexual is a big no-no to some.
Your working day/night looks like...
Most people have their weekends off whereas I spend them working, but it doesn’t often feel like work.
Any given weekend consists of multiple shows from mild to wild. 90% of the time I’ll be doing a show for a Bucks party, but on the odd occasion, I’ll find myself working at a swinger’s party or for a party of two.
I need to keep on top of what shows I am performing and when to avoid any mishaps like confusing an R-rated strip with an XXX fruit and veg show. Flashing for cash requires a surprising amount of focus and diligence!
What would be your advice to young girls who would like to start modeling, showgirl or stripper career?
Any girls who want to start modeling, stripping or wanting to become a showgirl, I couldn’t encourage you enough but please do it for the right reasons. All of the aforementioned roles are so much fun but I can imagine them being emotionally harrowing without self-assurance, some life experience, and a thick skin.
Get to know your industry and the best places to start, best people to work with and build your personal brand. Also and most importantly, don’t let any job change you and never do anything out of your comfort zone. Don’t forget to be a normal girl and do normal things outside of your working life.
Although it can potentially be very lucrative, the lifespan of a showgirl, model or stripper is short. Not many people, in general, have a single career in their working life, so make a plan for the future. Life is unpredictable - thoughts, feelings, and industries all change rapidly.
Can you give an advice, to people in general, how not to be ashamed of their body? We have published curvy and plus size bikini & nude models, they have had big problems with their confidence before they started to do modeling.
Being mixed race and a petite 5”1, I never fit into the stereotypical mold of what is typically considered ‘beautiful’. Despite working in a role where I am sexualized and frequently given compliments, I have always struggled with insecurities about my appearance to this day. I think that if not all, most people do.
There is something truly beautiful about those who possess something you don’t see every day.
You have to love yourself to find confidence. Don’t be afraid to wear what you want, express how you feel or say what you think - ever!! If anybody disapproves (and there will always be someone), don’t let it affect you - because our self-perception and self-confidence should never be determined by others.
What kind of art, in general, do you like?
I love to read. My favorite author is Bret Easton Ellis (he has a brilliant podcast too). And I love the films of Lars von Trier and Gaspar Noe - two filmmakers who have had huge success in their creative pursuits that don’t typically fit into the mainstream. My favorite artist is Mark Ryden because his art is beautifully macabre.
Honestly, I love creative forms that are brutally honest and unashamed. As a society, it’s easy to become fixated on building wealth and garnering success that we compromise our values and self-expression to accommodate the public eye. For me, that’s such bullshit. I don’t care about fame or having a bath full of cash - I just want to be myself and be happy. Kudos to any artist making personal accomplishments without giving a shit about being liked.
Any hobbies?
Netflix and chill.
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