Atlanta’s strip club industry is world-renowned. Thanks to the city’s status as a booming entertainment mecca for music, reality TV and film, Atlanta’s strip clubs are also experiencing untold notoriety.
During our coverage of the strip club industry in Atlanta, we sat down with several strippers, who shared the unvarnished truth about working in the exotic entertainment industry.
Where do you work and what do your clients call you?
My name is Italia and I work at the Blue Flame.
Is this your first time working at a strip club?
No, my first strip club was back home in Detroit. It was at Pretty Woman.
What do you remember most about your first time working in a strip club and how old were you?
When I first walked into a strip club, I was like 20 and “wow” was all I could say. I’d never seen anything like that in my life. I was with a friend and she was like, “I’m going to show you how to get some money.” She was always fly with nice hair and nails. I was like, “How are you getting this money?” She took me there and I was like, “OK, cool.”
So what was your first night like?
It was just a lot of money around. I don’t know how I did it because I didn’t know anything about dancing. I didn’t have any game, but I got to the money. So, it was cool.
What’s the biggest difference between the Atlanta and Detroit clubs?
I guess it’s fun for me in Atlanta. In Michigan it’s work. Atlanta is just fun to me and I love the Southern hospitality. They are nice.
What do you think about the Blue Flame?
It doesn’t get better than Blue Flame. I love it and I feel at home here. They treat me like a princess. Blue Flame is home.
What advice would you give an 18-year-old girl who’s thinking about stripping?
I would say no.
Why would you tell them not to do it?
If I could go back and change it, I wouldn’t because this is the life I chose. But if you’re 18, go to school, do something different. If you’re 18 and you’re young, go to school and get your education. A lot of people can’t handle this lifestyle. It looks easy but it’s not at all.
What’s the hardest part about your lifestyle?
You have to be a strong individual to be a dancer. You have to walk around naked and have game. Some of these dudes try to holler [talk to you] and their breath smells like s–. Then you have the dudes that try to buy you. I am not knocking anyone’s hustle, but I can’t be bought. That isn’t what I do. I come in here to dance, get my money and I go home. You can’t give me any amount of dollar outside the club; it’s not going to happen. It’s really wild and you have to be prepared. Since I’ve been at Blue Flame, it’s not wild. They don’t fight in Blue Flame and it’s very professional. But I wouldn’t recommend someone 18 years old to dance. Do something different. I have a little sister and I wouldn’t want her to see this.
How do you maintain relationships while being a stripper?
I don’t know. I’m in a relationship, but he hates it. I’m not going to lie; it’s like an addiction. He wants me to stop, but I still haven’t stopped.
Were you guys together before you started dancing?
No.
What was it like when you first told him you were a dancer?
I didn’t have to tell him because it’s my best friend’s brother. He knew what it was and he’s not a strip club guy. He works and he’s a good dude. He’s not into the streets and he works an honest job and everything. He’s not feeling it, but he loves me to death. At the end of the day he says, “I love you so much that I’m just going to put up with your bulls–.”
Does your family know you are a dancer?
Oh yeah, my mom. Of course, that’s my mom and she wants me to do something different. It’s no secret, everybody knows I dance. My dad doesn’t like it, but he’s my ace. He wasn’t in my life. My dad had me when he was 17, so he wasn’t a dad to me when I was younger. We got cool when I got older, but I forgave him. My stepdad is my dad too and I call them both dad because my stepdad has been there.
What’s your goal after your dancing career?
I think when I’m done, I’m going to do something with kids, or mentoring young girls so they won’t go this route. Not saying that it’s bad, but I wouldn’t want [this for them]. So after the club, I am going to be something simple like a nurse, mentor or counselor. I want to do something I like.
What advice do you have for young girls?
Stay in school. Don’t let the fast money fool you. A lot people aren’t strong enough for this and they could get caught up and [start] doing drugs. So my advice is go to school, make your parents proud and do something different.
