Get to Know: Lady Annabelle

Houston Burlesque Performer and Divine Darlings Burlesque Troupe Founder Lady Annabelle_Photo by David Tallman

We’d like to introduce you to The Loveliest Lush in The South, Lady Annabelle.

Lady Annabelle is the founder and owner of Houston Divine Studio — where adults can learn ballet, tap, burlesque, floorwork, hair & chair, and lyrical styles of dance — and the founder of and burlesque mom to The Divine Darlings Burlesque Troupe in Houston, Texas.

We Divine Darlings refer to her as our burlesque mom not only because she ushered each of us into the world of burlesque, but also because she offers a constant outpouring of love and support. This true Cancer is strong, resilient and powerful on the outside; and soft, kind and nurturing on the inside. “If sobbing in burlesque were sexy, I would master it,” Lady Annabelle jokes.

But burlesque is the perfect expression for our emotional queen. “To me, burlesque means to dig deep and fight and find the ignition in your heart that so desires to burn,” she said. “To drop all ego and become who you want to create. To showcase love and welcomeness.” Not only does burlesque foster that passion emotionally for Lady Annabelle, but physically, creatively, and empoweringly, as well.

“When I was a little girl, people would ask me what I want to be when I grow up, and I would say ‘a stripper!’” Even with Lady Annabelle’s mom advising her that she didn’t have to share that tidbit with everyone, our Divine Queen couldn’t hold it back for too long.

At the first burlesque show she attended, Lady Annabelle marveled at the exhibition of some of the things she loved most: dance, theatre, cabaret, broadway, musicals, and boobs. She knew immediately that’s what she wanted to do. So, this dancer trained and studied and practiced to learn how to channel her classically trained background into a form of free sexual expression. Two years later, she became a member of renowned burlesque troupe, The Midnight Dolls.

Now, with years of experience under her rhinestoned fringe belt, she encourages new burlesque performers “Stand your ground. Be even more mindful. Be self-aware. Be aware of those who are, and those who are not, in your same intentions in life.”

When she’s not performing, practicing, teaching, or costuming, Lady Annabelle is a diamond expert at Sethi’s Fine Jewelry. She spends her free time at the beach, practicing yoga and acro yoga, and being gleeful mother to “a beautiful, huge 13-year-old child.”

When asked to describe herself, Lady Annabelle reflected, “One-of-a-kind, as we all are. Someone you like the idea of, but you actually can’t handle my passion, compassion and dreams.” (Imagine her booping you on the nose after she says this.)

You can see her passion as she lives out those dreams in shows across Houston and Galveston (follow her on Instagram for details), and, of course, our Burly Soirée: Ho Ho Holidays on Sunday, December 11 at 2 pm. Tickets for our afternoon of holiday glitz and glamour start at $15, and can be purchased here.

Get your tush over to this fun show to see Lady Annabelle host and perform, and Rosie the Rivetting and Vixen Magnifique headline, alongside performances by Kinky Pinky, and Divine Darlings Mary Jane Midnight and Foxy Tocin. And look forward to all the dashing delights these ladies have planned for you!

Because we know you’re going to love the show, we’re giving you the chance to win a show flyer autographed by all the performers, or tickets to our January Soirée! Just bring with you a jacket or new blanket (that we’ll donate to Star of Hope) or nonperishable food items (that we’ll donate to Houston Food Bank) to enter the raffle.

The Burly Soirée: Ho Ho Holidays Details

Date: Sunday, December 11, 2022

Time: Doors open at 1:30 pm | Show begins at 2 pm

Location: 8th Wonder Distillery | 2201 Dallas St | Houston, Texas

Cost: $15 – $75 via Eventbrite; $20 – $80 at the door