The current GLAM nominated burlesque star graces stages both lofty and small. Leap into 2026 with Ozzie! [Cover photo: Thomas Mundell]
Thotyssey: Ozzie, hello! How is the Holiday Season treating you so far?
Ozzie: Hi! It’s great, although I’m not a huge fan of winter. But I do love NYC during the holiday season.
Given your wardrobe during most of your stage acts, I don’t blame you for not loving the cold weather.
Haha, yes! I like to keep the heat up in my place when I’m rehearsing, so I can at least wear my looks around the apartment.
Congratulations on your recent Glam Award nomination for Best Burlesque! You’ve been quite prolific in the scene this past year… how great is it to be nominated?
OMG, thank you! I was honestly very honored when I got nominated. I’ve been creating my burlesque art for over six years now, and this is the first time I’ve been nominated. It also feels great to be nominated amongst friends that I work with all the time.
Is there a chance that all the nominees are gonna do a group number at the awards show this time? I don’t think folks could handle all that heat… or all the chaos of floating feathers and thrown garments!
Ha! I would love that; it would be so fun. I don’t think that’s in the plans. But I believe JMV is trying to get an all-nominee show for people to come to January 11th, so look out for that!
I saw you perform a pair of numbers at Balcon Salon one night: the first was very seductive and titillating, the second was funny and narrative with lots of prop work. Is it a particular goal of yours to capture all those different genres of performance in your burlesque, or does it kind of happen naturally when you’re creating the numbers?
I love this question! And it’s one of the reasons why I love the art of burlesque. I really try to create acts that tell a story, whether that be a funny story or a sexy AF story. I think of myself as a storyteller, and I always try to bring it back to this. I spend a lot of time in the creation of the acts — from the idea, to the costume, to the choreography, and the music. It’s all with this purpose of creating a certain world and telling a story.
Can you share a bit of your origin story with us? Where are you from originally, and what sort of art and performance did you partake in or get inspired by while growing up?
I grew up in Wisconsin, and moved to NYC when I was 18. My earliest creative memories were wanting to be a fashion designer. I used to sketch gowns and make things for my Barbies, lol. Then I started to get into acting, dancing, and modeling — and that progressively took over, doing theater and a few TV jobs as a teenager. I love burlesque because it allows me to combine fashion with dancing and storytelling all at the same time, and incorporating the sex-positivity and fantasy of the art form.
What have been some favorite memories of performing?
I have some of the fondest memories performing with Company XIV. I saw everything from patrons throwing up to getting blowjobs in their seats! I also had the privilege of playing one of the lead roles in Netflix’s Bridgerton LIVE show, and loved the little family we made for a few months.
I really love doing my private gigs performing for small parties, bachelor / bachelorette parties. I even performed for an 80 year old woman’s birthday party once. I love doing these gigs; everyone is so excited to have me and bringing joy and sexiness is my passion. So please HMU if you’re looking for entertainment for your next private party.
You are also a gogo boy! Is that easier or harder than burlesque, or a different animal entirely?
Haha! It can be a different animal entirely. In fact, I’ve taken a little bit of a step back from gogo-ing. While I love to bring the vibe, people just generally have a lack of respect in these situations. It’s one thing if you’re approaching me to tip me — please do — but when you just touch me without consent, we’re going to have a problem. And maybe I’ve just gotten a bit sensitive over the years, but I just can’t deal with people as much as I used to.
One story is, this summer I was on top of the bar at the Ice Palace having a lovely evening. I was turned away talking to a friend, when I feel someone poke their finger into my hole. I was furious, not just because it’s literally assault, but because I had just had surgery on my hole and it hurt in such an excruciating way! This man didn’t know me or what was going on with my body, and wasn’t even going to tip me… so I grabbed him, and had the bouncer throw him out. It’s not okay to touch anyone without some sort of verbal or visual consent, so I’ve gotten a little more selective with the gogo appearances I make.
You’ll be at Red Eye hosting Headero’s “GOAT” on Thursday, for what we will call some “fun, consenting adult interaction!”
Yes! I’ve never been to their parties before, but I’ve heard great things. And when they reached out to have me host, I was excited to see what it’s all about. So come join me, and we’ll see it together!
What else is coming up for you?
Up next, I’ll be performing in The Met Opera’s The Magic Flute this season. I also work there as a dancer; I’m really lucky to have a full time career as a performer, and have such a rich diversity of work that I do. One moment I’m performing on the stage of the most famous opera house in the world, and later that night I’m MC-ing a d*ck sucking contest in the basement of the bar. It’s really fun. I’ll also be performing my burlesque at Lucinda’s in the East Village on Dec 10th, and throwing my next “Frat HAUS” party that I produce at Red Eye on Jan. 3rd… so come through!
Finally, what’s your best advice for a baby nightlife performer who wants to make it big in NYC?
I’ve been asked this question a lot, whether it be how to break into the industry or how I stay booked. I always try to give people as much as I could, but it comes down to really just putting the work in. I started really young, but I’ve been performing professionally in some capacity for over 15 years now. Nothing really happened overnight for me. You have to put yourself out there, reach out to people you’re interested in working with (even if it’s a no!), become very good at hearing no, build up your connections and put all of your energy into your creativity. Think about the voice you want to put out there, what you want to create, how you want it to look, and how you want people to feel — and let that drive you. Let one thing lead to another, and keep going. Sometimes you’re up and sometimes you’re down, but if you just keep going I promise things will happen.
I too get obsessed with comparison of what other people are doing or what they have, but fall in love with what you are doing. And if you’re not, make some changes. Don’t worry about where you’re starting, just start. My first ever costume I made with a pair of scissors and a glue gun, and I worked and grew and got to a place where I could bring other people into my vision. You just have to start somewhere.
Thanks, Ozzie!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Ozzie’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and LinkTree.
Thotyssey 