‘Strike A Pose’ Gives Different Look At History’s Most Controversial Tour
I didn’t know much about voguing as a child. From my highly monitored home, I thought it was a form of dance created by Madonna that complemented her hyper-sexual, high-fashion persona. In the two decades since her controversial 1990 Blond Ambition Tour and corresponding film Truth or Dare, I and the world have learned so much more.
One of the vehicles by which I learned about the origin of voguing was Paris is Burning, the 1991 documentary that jumped into the consciousness of America via Netflix. The film delves into the underground world New York’s queer ballroom scene in the Eighties. But the form of drag queens imitating models actually goes back to the 1960’s Harlem, where men would perform in small clubs.
Which leads to my second education on voguing, from the incredibly documentary Strike a Pose.
Directed by Ester Gould and Reijer Zwaan, the film showed this spring at Tribeca Film Festival in a screening hosted by Lincoln Motor Company. Strike a Pose documents the dance of voguing going from underground to the main stage through seven charismatic dancers on Madonna’s Blond Ambition Tour.
As noted by The Village Voice, by the Eighties, voguing was folded into the balls that brought Houses, largely composed of black and Latino performers, together to compete. After Madonna saw Luis Camacho and Jose Gutierez, both members of the House of Xtravaganza, dance, she invited them to audition for her upcoming tour. As the two dancers remember it, their spots were pretty much guaranteed: She needed them to teach her how to vogue. They also choreographed and performed in the “Vogue” video.
The documentary examines the lives of Camacho, Gutierez, Oliver Crumes III, Salim Gauwloos, Kevin Stea, Gabriel Trupin, and Carlton Wilborn who were backup dancers in the tour.
Overflowing with gay pride in the early ’90s at a time when homophobia and the HIV epidemic were at its peak, made an incredibly bold statement— and impacted the lives of many. These men, in a sense, were the welcoming liaisons to a world that many gay men wanted to live out loud.
But as the film tells, the platform they stood on was marred with shame and secrets that they hadn’t talked about until now. Three of the men on the tour were HIV-positive, with one passing away in 1995. There were also lawsuits against Madonna after the debut of Truth or Dare from dance members who claimed fraud and deceit, intentional misrepresentation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress for displaying their private lives in the documentary.
“It’s not just about these guys who went on tour with Madonna,” Gould told Hotdocs. “We wanted the themes to be recognizable for everyone. Because we haven’t all been on tour with Madonna, but we have all struggled with shame and pride.”
Adding, “When you’re in your 20s, most of us feel on top of the world. Even if you’re not on the Blond Ambition tour. So growing up, for everybody, is about embracing reality. What we like about this film is that Truth or Dare was provocative and about daring to be yourself in an outgoing, extravert way. Our film is about self-acceptance in a more introverted way, off stage.”
Gay pride, dance, competition, parties, laughter, HIV, tears, loss— the film touches upon so much of what these men went through and how they’re living today. And while Madonna herself isn’t in the film, her presence isn’t missed, with the men’s raw honesty being sufficient.
With the film showing in select theaters worldwide, we highly suggest you check it out for a moving and informative story.
The post ‘Strike A Pose’ Gives Different Look At History’s Most Controversial Tour appeared first on StyleBlazer.
Source: styleBlazer
Prepare to be blown away by Cleva Music/C.M’s latest hit, “Steppa Dreams.” With an astounding 4 million streams in just one week across all platforms, this track is setting the industry on fire. CM’s confident assertion, “People feel my shit,” reflects the undeniable connection he has with his audience. His distinctive sound and infectious lyrics have garnered him global attention, establishing him as a frontrunner in the music scene. With each release, CM pushes the boundaries of creativity, redefining what it means to be a true artist. His unwavering dedication and passion shine through in every note, leaving fans eager for more. As “Steppa Dreams” continues to soar, it’s clear that this rising star is destined for greatness, and the world eagerly awaits his next move.
The Genesis of a Brand: A Personal Story Through Music
The brand an artist creates is often a tapestry woven from their personal stories. For Deja Destinée, her name carries a legacy and an inspiration that fuels her artistic presence. “Deja Destiny is destiny… My first name was by my sister… Named after Tyra Banks’ character in Higher Learning… Destiny was named by my grandmother before I was born,” she recounts. This personal lineage adds depth to her music and offers her audience a piece of her narrative, creating a genuine connection that transcends the rhythms and lyrics.
In the music industry, the background behind a name often holds a significant weight, and Deja’s is intertwined deeply with her familial ties. Her music doesn’t just offer sound; it provides listeners with resonance, a shared experience that taps into the emotional fabric of the listener. This personal touch has become a beacon for her brand and her music, positioning her as an artist with a story to tell, a history to honor, and a future to shape.
Commanding the Stage: Performance as a Reflection of the Artist
A major theme from the discussion centered around Deja’s approach to performance. Stating that music comes as “first nature,” it’s evident that her on-stage persona is where she truly shines. Describing her performances, Deja says, “I give a lot of cocky energy. When I get on the stage, I usually bring my dancers, I have, you know, the flashy custom outfits… it makes them feel good, and for it to make them feel like they really that b\*\*\*h.”
This attitude exemplifies the confidence and showmanship that Deja brings to her craft, setting her apart in a crowded industry. The energy of a live performance, where the artist and audience feed off each other’s enthusiasm, is particularly crucial for Deja. Each show becomes an intimate conversation between them, a shared moment of empowerment and celebration of talent. It’s in these details that Deja’s commitment to her artistry, and her desire to elevate the music experience, shines brightest.
A Nexus of Creativity: Beyond Music
During the conversation, it became apparent that Deja is not content with being pigeonholed as just a musician. With interests in acting and entrepreneurship, such as her unique skincare line *Co-Skin*, she relays, “I do hair, I do makeup, I have my own like, skincare line doing shea butter… It’s so many things that I feel like I can tap into.”
Her tenacity to take on multiple creative endeavors showcases not only her talent but her understanding of the importance of diversification in a modern artist’s career. Deja leverages her platform in music to venture into other areas of interest, broadening her reach and solidifying her presence both in and out of the music world. This blend of artistry and enterprise spotlights a new generation of artists who are as business-minded as they are creative, indicative of the changing tides within the industry.
The Future Sounds of Success: Deja’s Continual Growth
As the conversation turned towards future prospects, Deja Destinée laid out her vision of evolving within the industry and her plans to be a game-changer. With new music on the horizon, including the engagingly titled single “ATE”, and a role in the upcoming film premiere set for June 6th at Newark Cinema, Deja’s grind is relentless.
Echoing her earlier sentiments on the significance of grinding, she reiterates, “To work and put in the work… when you don’t want to do it, put in the work then, too, because in the end, it’s gonna pay off.” It’s with this unwavering dedication and drive that Deja Destinée forges ahead, paving her path with an unshakeable belief in her art and her ability to influence the industry.
Deja’s narrative is one that is building upon the foundations of authenticity, perseverance, and an uncompromising vision for what she wants to achieve. With a solid grounding in the values instilled in her name and approach to music, the future beckons with infinite possibilities, each one an opportunity to further the imprint of Deja Destinée on the world.
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