interview with photographer J.E.

Not long ago I sat down with photographer J.E. and was asked some questions and here are the highlights from that interview once again thanks so much and looking forward to all the new projects.
Natalie

Q: The question I am sure you always get asked is how did you end up as a burlesque dancer?
A: Yes, I do get asked this quite frequently and as always I grew up as a dancer since I was 6 years old. So dancing always has been and will be a huge chunk of my life and I know many people who are burlesque performers and would always go watch them so one day I was talked into it. I figured why not, I try just about everything at least once in life it's just how I am. You know I am glad that I did though it's been an awesome experience and a challenge.

Q: The next question is always about nudity your thoughts on that?
A: Well, I don't think nudity in general is a bad thing per se. I think if done tastefully it can be art but is it something I would do personally and the answer is no. I've been modeling since I was 14 and never done nudes and really don't intend to start. I think there are ways to be a creative and fascinating burlesque dancer without using nudity. I think this is the misconception about it lies and that is okay everyone has their own take of what burlesque is same with any genre of performance arts. I am glad people are accepting my vision of it however.

Q: How is it being accepted into the burlesque community?
A: I am going to be honest it has been tough because I don't do nudes and I also have a professional career. I mean, my Mum made me promise before pursuing any type of performance career to attend college and earn some sort of training/degree because in our field anything can happen and not everything is guaranteed. Looking back on it I didn't understand it but now I am glad she did because she's right I can't do this forever so it is nice to have something to fall back on. I also like it because it reminds me I am still "normal".

Q: You want to always be "normal"?
A: To an extent although I did not have a "normal" childhood. I for the most part grew up in the industry so think there is that fascination with having a "normal" life. I feel like Harry Potter to an extent you know living in a muggle world. I now understand my parents though and why they made the decisions they did as parents. It keeps me humble and I honestly pray all the time I remain humble hope that never changes.

Q: What was your childhood like?
A: It was different. I mean we all weren't born in the United States so when I came here I was young had an accent kids made fun of me because I was so "weird" actually I was bullied quite a bit. People think I had a perfect childhood but my parents divorced when I was young and my Mum basically raised us by herself. My Dad did not really play a huge role in my life not until I was older. He had his issues and you know no one is perfect and think my first lesson in forgiveness was with my parents; so yea I had to be like 45 when I was only 16 pretty much. I grew up with no privacy and I remember when my Dad died and how the media was and that really made me not like media of course have to deal with them and so forth and that doesn't bother me it is just the lack of respect for personal boundaries. I think this is why I am so private as a person now.

Q: You almost gave up performing not long ago why?
A: Not getting that acceptance and I know I still don't at least not fully. I've heard some tell me hey I have a degree why am I even performing, but I do this because I love it and dance is my passion always has been. I know as well my style is "different" than most people and that is okay. I want to be the type of performer where everyone can enjoy my shows not just an older audience. I want to appeal to everyone and have shows for adults as well shows where parents would feel comfortable bringing their children under 18.

Q: What is with the Dita von Teese comparisons add pressure?
A: most definitely. I know I still have to grow as a performer and not afraid to take those risks  and part of being a performer is taking risks personally and artistically will never grow as a person or any other way. So yes, it is pressure but I want to be my own version of myself.

Q: How is it dating and being a performer?
A: it is hard, um my last relationship [if want to call it that] ended because he didn't want to deal with the "spotlight" and he was at a place where he wanted a more "serious" lifestyle and that is okay. Dating is difficult in general and especially being a performer some people just cannot handle it and then there are trust issues because never know who is there for really you or what they think you can do for them etc and it doesn't matter how long you've known a person I have learned. New friends have been much better than the old ones here lately.

Q: Let's talk about the hate you've been getting last several months over your romantic life?
A: Honestly, I don't know where that all came from. I think it's because I performed to a couple of his songs [Bieber] and people started making assumptions. I actually wasn't aware until people were coming up to me and asking "hey, heard this rumour from twitter" and remember thinking  "um, okay" because I hardly discuss my personal life and especially who I am dating. But yea, seeking out my social media and just being disrespectful is uncalled for. Getting hate actually doesn't bother me because I tend to block out negativity like that and as long as I am happy and he's happy who necessarily cares? I do however think people make more out of getting the hate especially being involved with him not sure if it's just attention or what but I don't think it's something to make yourself a "martyr" of sorts out of. People just don't like you personally, that happens it's life and probably more people don't care about it just small amount who say some things via social media sites but that's it. I am willing to bet 9 out of 10 people would care less. But I think age has much to do with it as well, and not just physical but emotionally too. It is a very young fanbase and nothing wrong with that at all. Burlesque tends to have a much older fanbase so the rationale is quite different. But I do think when you're 14-17 relationships and the complexities of those are viewed so much differently than when let's say you're mid 20s and older.It's just life experiences that's all.

Q: You also say that the hate you were getting over him did not come from people you expected?
A: True. I was actually expecting to get hate from his fanbase because at first I literally thought that is where it was coming from but it was actually the burlesque community and people my age group which isn't that much older than Bieber's so yea that was shocking. It's like we're old enough you don't have to like my music choices or me as a performer but at least respect me. But in reality Beliebers have been the coolest to me and I have the utmost respect for them and honestly I would defend them to the moon and back.

Q: So guess the question is...are you?
A: Even if the answer is no I would not discuss it publicly, it's just how I am. I will say that I think it is flattering just because I think he has the hugest heart of anyone I know. He is also a brilliant musician and in general a wonderful man. I think people are harder on him way more than what is necessary and it really isn't fair. He's basically a male version of me he's different and that's okay nothing wrong with that at all. I am glad he is coming into his own person and seeing him develop as an artist it's great. But to answer that I just don't discuss it either way. The focus should be on his music and the focus should be on my dancing.

Q: You don't see yourself performing forever no?
A: Actually, I don't. I am actually hoping to be a Mum and a wife eventually; and, if it comes down to it I want to not necessarily give up but perform less depending upon the relationship which is why I am performing as much I am now. I just want to be a hands on type of Mum and be a wife to my husband when I get one. Yes, I am independent but I also have a domestic side too you can be in a relationship or married and still have independence.

Q: Future projects?
A: I think eventually I could see myself designing costumes, etc. possibly but I would love to put more time into my humanitarian work and projects so something along those lines as well.

Q: Favorite album?
A: all time the Divine Comedy by Milla. It's so gorgeous and it deals with Ukrainian culture which I think is why the album did amazing in Europe it just kind of went whoop  here haha. Having a father who was Serbian/Ukrainian a lot of the culture was there in the songs I loved it.
Q: What is your nationality?
A: My Dad was Serbian/Ukrainian and my Mum was Native American. I mean I was raised to appreciate both cultures and to be proud of where I came from and my heritages. It's so neat because feel have two of the coolest cultures within me and never want to forget that want to pass it on to my children.

Q: What languages do you speak hear you speak quite a few
A: I grew up speaking French and Russian so those two I know. I also speak Spanish and German as well can read Serbian.

Q: Favorite city?
A: I love Toronto and Canada in general. I also love Bangkok and Australia weather is great really looking forward to those places eventually.

Q: Your thoughts on Angelina Jolie?
A: I love Angelina she is one of my heroes she's also who I hope to be like when I "grow up". I can relate to her story quite a bit especially being that wild child streak definitely went through that phase and just growing as a person. She is definitely a fighter and she is not afraid to fight for what she believes in or loves and I'm the same way plus she's left handed as am I and from what I was told be both have our Moon in Aries sorry kind of an astrology junkie haha.