Today we’d like to introduce you to Melody Martini
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a full time performer and photographer. In 2016 I started shooting cosplay photography for my friends which grew to become a main source of income for me and shortly after starting my photography journey I also performed burlesque for the first time ever. Burlesque is widely known as the art of the strip-tease, a performance style dating back to the late 1800’s. It’s certainly evolved and had a modern resurgence that had always enticed me and contrary to what other believe, it is not simply about taking your clothes off. Burlesque inspired me though its theatrical intricacies of well choreographed routines set to music of all kinds while wearing extravagant costumes. I got into burlesque through the subsection: nerdlesque, otherwise known as cosplay burlesque as this was a good and familiar stepping stone for me. I performed a few times a year and then upon moving to Orlando in 2021, I grew my network for all kinds of entertainment grew exponentially.
Today I work for myself full time, performing every single week as either a burlesque dancer, gogo dancer, kids party princess, mermaid performance, photography and videography.
As of last year I made the leap to join my burlesque skills with my company Geeky Mermaid Productions to start producing my own burlesque shows where people can enjoy a great evening of entertainment, support local artists, get some instagram worthy photos and ultimately have a great time.
I went from hiding my burlesque career, keeping it as a secret life, to embracing it and integrating it into my business to a point where i am proud and thrilled to tell people what I do for a living.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Roads are never smooth and life is always 50/50. Taking the good with the bad means appreciating and being grateful for every opportunity while also feeling like you may not belong alongside those names you admire. I’ve come to realize every performer experiences imposter syndrome, no matter how long they’ve been performing or how much you perceive them as better than you. Stay committed to a growth mindset and remember to speak kindly to yourself that you deserve to be in those rooms, on those stages.
Additionally we can’t let our obstacles hinder our passions.
I had a very great momentum building with my photography business for 3 years, working 12-15 conventions a year, getting featured in magazines and winning awards. Then suddenly the world shut down. Covid had halted all of my income streams and I was afraid that I would never be able to get back to where I was before. But pivoting both mentally by knowing that these changes are temporary, and physically by changing my environment from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando, helped me keep that drive and motivation. If it wasn’t for the pandemic I wouldn’t have made the shift from just doing cosplay to more creative portraits, boudoir and events. If I had stayed in my comfort zone I never would’ve thought I was right to do classic burlesque and wasn’t worthy of the gigs I get today.
How you speak to yourself matters and if you are consistently putting yourself down or comparing yourself to others, you won’t grow to be your best version of yourself but just ty to emulate others success and then get disappointed when it doesn’t garner the same result for you.
I no longer try to follow the exact path of others, because I have taken the time to understand my strengths don’t set me apart in a bad way but in a great way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an entertainer of many unique kinds: a burlesque and gogo dancer, a mermaid performer and a videographer for shows as well.
Some of my favorite gigs are cage dancing at Vault 5421, a post-apocalyptic speakeasy behind a comic book shop,
swimming with the mermaids at the world famous Wreck Bar show at the B Ocean Hotel,
and Kinky Karaoke where I sing and strip for Bubble Room Burlesque.
Whenever I apply to shows I also make a point to mention I shoot events in case the producer may not have spot open on cast but are looking to have a media team. Its a unique skillset that sets me apart from others that took me a while to hone as my personal niche. I seriously cant decide whether performing behind camera or on stage is more enjoyable to me. I couldn’t give up any of my passions if I had to choose. I’m so proud and appreciative to have developed this level of range that I am happy to share with others coming up in their performer careers.
It makes me proud to be a self made freelancer and I am a huge advocate for others investing in their own passions through alternative education purposes. I never went to college and was not a dancer until I decided to take up burlesque. A specialty skill I love that not many will think of inherently is mental flexibility. Are you able to be faced with a sudden problem and be able to immediately pivot for a solution instead of ruminating on it?
This can be a problem like your corset laces got tangled up while you were trying to take it off, your camera stabilizer battery died during an event, or you accidentally double booked yourself on the same day! Being able to create that plan B in your head immediately is a sign of both a great performer and a great businessperson.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If you have an idea for something you want to do or create in your life, just go for it. Don’t let your brain start to convince you of reasons why you aren’t ready or worthy of that dream.
You’re not too old, too young, too inexperienced, too busy, too fat, too skinny, too nothing.
Set out the intention and the excuses will melt away. When we want something bad enough we will find the means to make it happen and I believe that is true for anyone who sets their heart on something.
You got this my teeny martinis.
Pricing:
- Burlesque starting at $100
- Mermaid starting at $250
- Photography starting at $350
- Videography starting at $200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.geekymermaid.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martiniextrashaken/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martiniextrashaken
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@geekymermaidproductions
Image Credits
Mermaid Photo- Scott Audette Underwater
Blue Costume- Reel Dreams Media
Pink Costume- Obscured Alternatives
Red Costume- Small Bee Photography
Bra removal photo- Tea Tran Photography
