I was saved by my nipple tassels!
When Priscilla Silsock, 43, from London, was introduced to the world of burlesque, her whole life changed forever…
Growing up, I was raised a strict Brethren Christian in Melbourne, Australia. I was taught to wear modest clothes and read my Bible.
‘Be good at school,’ my parents would say.
Despite having a love for music and dance, I couldn’t express myself.
In the eyes of the church, dancing was provocative and sex was shameful.
As a teen, I’d secretly write and record songs from the radio in my bedroom.
I began living a double life, and felt very conflicted with my flamboyant character and strict upbringing.
When I hit 18, I rebelled and tried to enter the music industry.
I was excommunicated by the Brethren when they found out I had a boyfriend who was not from the church.
I was drawn to recreational drugs and ended up having a mental breakdown.
My parents took me to see a psychiatrist and I tried to get back into my normal life.
Then at 23, everything changed changed. Sitting in a local
Turkish restaurant, I watched a belly dancer perform.
She moved sensually and powerfully to the music.
Iõve got to learn more, I thought, utterly starstruck.
‘I want to move to England,’ I told my parents.
I have a dual nationality, and felt it would be a good opportunity to start fresh.
So, nervously, I packed my bags and off I went overseas.
In 2003, I arrived in London, with a suitcase full of belly dancing costumes.
I was ready to take on the world.
Performing at open mic nights in jazz clubs, I sang and danced my way through the city.
Then one evening at a boat party, another dancer showed me photos of her show.
‘What is it?’ I asked, looking at girls dressed in feathers and diamante lingerie. ‘Burlesque,’ she smiled. At the time, burlesque was an underground movement.
I didn’t know what it was, but I knew I wanted to try it.
In 2004, I went to The Whoopee Club in Notting Hill to watch burlesque. Straight away, I knew I’d found my calling.
Delicate headpieces, jewelled bras and feathered fans twirled about on stage.
I was entranced by the way the performers were in control of their sensuality and sexuality.
It all felt so natural compared to what I’d been taught as a child.
And so, I quickly reinvented myself.
Settling on Sapphira as my stage name, I began buying costumes and glittery garments.
It all fell into place. ‘They’re beautiful!’ I’d beam, choosing new nipple tassels.
During the day, I worked in advertising.
By night, I would transform into Sapphira.
She gave me a new lease of life.
Any worries or stresses
I was feeling would disappear the moment I got up on stage.
My alter-ego made it easier to cope in a crisis.
Priscilla would leave her troubles behind, and Sapphira would smile and shimmy proudly in the spotlight.
My belly dancing skills and voice made me a unique burlesque star.
‘I wanna be loved by you,’ I sang, performing Marilyn Monroe in Soho and Clapham Nort North.
I still remember my first strip tease on stage.
Shimmying my bare breasts in the air, I felt confident and in control of my body.
It was a revelation to feel attractive and beautiful.
I allowed myself to flirt with the crowd, and invited them to look at my nipple tassels.
As the audience applauded, I smiled and laughed. Quickly, I was hooked. Inspired by my name, I started purchasing costumes and accessories that were sapphire coloured.
For six years, my alter-ego Sapphira performed burlesque in London.
And then in 2008, I felt ready to go back home.
In Melbourne, I worked in media whilst trying to connect with producers to pursue my singing career.
And after a year of persevering, a British
I was taught that sex is shameful
producer, Kristian Townsend, called me up.
‘Alright darling, I love your music,’ he said.
Finally! I thought. Determined, I quit my job and started writing an album.
Then, I set up a burlesque dance school in Australia to teach other women the tricks of the trade.
‘It’s so liberating,’ friends would tell me.
I wanted more and more people to experience it.
Kristian became a good friend, and introduced me to Antony Silcock, a British DJ and music producer – known as Tonestepa.
Very quickly, we’d fallen head over heels for each other.
For four years, we travelled between England and
Australia, whilst I taught burlesque and sang.
Antony makes me smile and laugh, and we are both so creative together.
In 2014, we got married and I moved to London.
Since, I’ve worked for a publishing company whilst pursuing my personal passions.
I’m busy all the time – I even teach burlesque classes in my lunch break!
My parents and I get along so much better these days.
Whilst they are still very strict Christians, they have been to see my shows and they love that I’m so happy.
‘You are in your element,’ they tell me.
Of course, they prefer it when I sing without stripping!
In many ways, burlesque has brought out the best in me and helped me find my voice as a singer and songwriter.
I’ve released a single, called Dark Angel, combining burlesque and my favourite genre of music, electronica.
I teach and perform in festivals all over the world and I host my own event at Ibiza Burlesque Festival.
I did have plans to launch World Burlesque Day 2020 in London’s Pineapple studios, but sadly COVID-19 had other ideas.
And so, in April, I held World Burlesque Day online.
Whilst everyone was isolating at home, it gave them a reason to dress up, have fun and lift their spirits.
People from all over the world wore corsets, frilly fascinators and suspenders whilst learning to perform from their living rooms. Over 15,000 people joined in – from 25 countries. ‘You created a rainbow in a dark time,’ an Italian viewer messaged me.
I love how burlesque can quickly transport you to another place. Whenever I am feeling down, I put a pair of eyelashes on, heels and a costume, and I feel invincible. It’s like turning from a caterpillar into a butterfly. Burlesque has taught me many lessons.
Dance is a gift, and sex is beautiful and natural. Sapphira has allowed me to truly be myself – something I struggled with when I was growing up up.
My advice for anyone that wants to pursue a creative career, is to be loud and proud. The world wants you to be you, unashamedly bold, crazy and quirky – embrace it!
15,000 people dressed up at home