How to become a male strip dancer
11 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Male Stripper
Magic Mike brought the world of male stripping to the big screen, but the job requires a lot more hard work than memorizing a few minutes of sexy choreo. For starters, you have to hustle to get hours—most male strippers freelance, hopping from club to club to make coin. Befriending clients is key for raking in tips, so flexing your personality can be just as important as flexing your biceps. And while having people fawn over you makes you feel pretty damn hot, sleeping with clients is completely off the table. Some nights you’ll be showered in cash, but don’t expect every customer to make it rain.
If you’re curious to know what it takes to become professional dancing hunk, look no further: Axl Reigns and Zackery Cross are here to give Cosmo the scoop. Hailing from Texas, Reigns worked as a dancer at LaBare Dallas, the first ladies-only male strip club and bachelorette party destination for celebs like Jessica Simpson and Anna Nicole Smith. From Las Vegas to New Orleans, Cross has performed at clubs across the U.S., including popular male revues like Kings of Hustler and Men of Vegas Live. Below, find their top tips for aspiring male strippers.
You're probably not the whole package, but you're going to have to become the whole package—fast.
Everyone deals with their own challenges and insecurities. "I didn't have a background in dancing at all. So I struggled a little bit," says Reigns. While some male strippers pump iron to attain the shape that they want, others might have to adjust their diets. According to Reigns, it also requires a certain disposition. "I didn't really have the personality to be a [stripper] at the start," explains Reigns. "I had to create a persona that was more of an entertainer."
Your personality is (almost) as important as your body.
As a stripper, getting immediate feedback is pretty simple: Just look at how much money you make.
If you're doing something wrong, your income will suffer. "It's a very powerful motivation," says Reigns. "If you're shy, you say, 'Okay, what are the subjects that women would want to talk about and how can I learn about these subjects to carry on a conversation?'" A self-proclaimed introvert, Reigns admits he had to learn to be a little more social. "I had to loosen up a bit, and it was great. Working as a male dancer allowed me to flourish into somebody who I enjoyed being, versus someone who wasn't as socially comfortable very easily."
Unless you want to perform exclusively at private house parties, working independently for multiple clubs is the best way to maximize your income. Some independent contractors, like Cross, are even willing to travel for the right job. “We'll fly places, driving, whatever it takes,” he explains. Cross and his colleagues pick locations based on seasonal demand. For example, Vegas is an ideal “summer city” for bachelorettes, while Florida is the place to be in the spring and fall.
Working for a touring company is another deal entirely—strippers for popular troupes like Chippendales or Thunder from Down Under don’t make any tips at all. “You’re an employee, so you get a salary,” says Cross.
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You have to audition to get work.View this post on Instagram
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Strippers, regardless of their gender identity, have to audition for a club before taking the stage. Club managers assess dancers not only on their rhythm, but also on their physiques—some places even have height requirements (we’re talking 6 feet and up, only). Muscles also factor into the equation, so Cross and Reigns recommend bulking up where you can.
Depending on where you work, you may have to cough up a house fee in order to perform. Make sure you have some extra cash on you so you can spot the club $40 to $50, and heads-up: This fee can be larger if you show up late. Some house fees are percentages taken out of what you make each night, meaning you could have to hand over 30% of your earnings to the club in order to use their space. On the bright side though, selling VIP dances can be lucrative: Cross says he charges $400 or $500 per customer.
Stripping isn't easy money."There's less of a demand for [male strippers]," warns Cross. He estimates that women can earn up to $500 a night when they're just starting out, whereas guys might make $300 to $400 a week for the first few months. It all depends on the market you're in.
Building relationships with potential clients is vital for ensuring you never have a slow night, advises Reigns.
"If there aren't a lot of girls there and I'm not making a lot of money, I know I could be making more," he says. "I could have called people and said, 'Hey, why don't you come in and see me?' or I could have cultivated a relationship with different people who would continually come in and support me."
Which is honestly not that uncommon—according to the Census Bureau, about 13 million U.S. workers have more than one job. On top of being a dancer, Reigns is an author, model, and an actor. "We have a lot of guys who will personally train girls," he says. "Guys will give them discounted time if they come see the shows. It's another job, but it's also good for getting clients."
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You can't try to please every person in the club.
You're not going to be everyone's type, and that's okay. Don't get discouraged if you're not getting attention from the client you want, and instead channel that energy into someone else. "If a woman doesn't like me best," says Reigns, "then it's not even worth wasting my time because no matter what I do, she will still like that other guy more than me." That's why Reigns recommends finding your niche, and sticking to it. "I usually cater to an older crowd," he says. Adds Cross, "If you're good to customers and you're confident, things are gonna go well for you."
You better make friends with the other guys—they're not the competition.
It's easy to feel like you're competing for tips, but befriending your co-workers is key for attracting customers.
Everyone has a different type, so if your buddy at work finds a client who's into you, he'll hook you up.
Of course, some will try to steal your clients.
Not every guy will try to step on your toes, but sometimes things can get cutthroat. "You'll be texting a girl to come by, but then another guy will be like, 'Let's grab dinner before work,'" explains Reigns. "Then, she's going to come in and get some dances from him, not you, and there goes your money."
Don't sleep with your clients.
While becoming a stripper might seem like a solid way to meet potential hookups, in reality, you're there to do your job, not collect phone numbers. Some clients might mistake your attention for affection, so remaining professional at all times is a must. "I don't want someone to believe there is a romantic relationship between us when there's not," Reigns cautions.
Hannah Malach Assistant Producer Hannah Malach is an Assistant Producer at Hearst Magazines, where she covers entertainment news, the royals, and more for brands including Cosmopolitan, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar.
How To Get Started As A Male Stripper
How do i get started as a male stripper?
You will need to acquire a themed costume, a speaker, a routine and a music mix. After you have all the necessary equipment and preparation - the next step is to apply for work with an agency. Having relevant experience in dancing or performing will help you.
Getting started as a male stripper doesn’t have to be hard, in fact, with the right advice and direction you can get into this industry quickly and with ease.
Today i’m going to break down, step-by-step, exactly what you need to do to become a male stripper. I’ll show you what’s required, what’s expected of you, and the best way to make a huge first impression in the male stripping industry.
Step 1: Decide on what type of stripping YOU want to doIt may come as a surprise to many that there are in fact three types of male stripping, yes, three!
All types of stripping are quite different and unique, and will give you a completely different direction in this industry, so it’s important that you take your time to decide on what you would like to do, so let’s go over them!
The first type of male stripping is “male strip club work”.
This describes strippers who work in a permanent venue, with it’s complete focus on being a women only entertainment venue.
Think of a female strip club, now replace the female strippers with men, and you have a male strip club.
This type of stripping primarily focuses on mingling with female parton’s and selling private lap-dances.
The venue will usually be open most days of the week, and will provide an environment in which you can sell your services to the clients on a consistent basis.
The second type of stripping is “male revue work”.
Male revue’s are different from male strip clubs because they usually do not own their own venue.
Most male revues are a choreographed and organised male strip show that either tours around from venue to venue, or, perform’s their show every Saturday night for 2-3 hours in a popular nightclub (or something along those lines).
The show is essentially a male striptease theatrical performance, in which you will dance with a group of fellow male strippers, performing that same consistent routines every time.
And finally the last type of male stripping is “strip-a-gram work”.
This is when you work as a freelance male stripper.
In this industry, you get directly booked to perform a short 15-20min show (or in some countries 1 hour shows) at the clients location.
This can vary from a hotel, motel, air BnB, house, venue, nightclub or even karaoke rooms.
The occasions are most commonly bachelorette parties and birthday parties, however it’s not uncommon to strip at divorce parties, baby showers, girls night out, swingers parties and other strange and crazy events.
If you would like to learn more about the 3 types of male stripping in depth, check out this article HERE.
And scroll down to the 3 types of male stripping section.
So, have a long think about what type of male stripping you will pursue, as each type is very different and will dramatically affect your experience and income in this industry.
As in most job’s, employers will often say “we require you to have experience”, this is frustrating to say the least.
How are we supposed to get experience if nobody will give us a chance?
Luckily for you, there is an easy and quick way to gain relevant experience in the male stripping industry.
As the step 2 title suggests, i strongly recommend you source some topless waitering work.
Topless waitering will give you valuable experience in dealing with the bachelorette party scene and communicating with women. These are very important skills you will need to have.
Unlike male stripping work, acquiring a position as a topless waiter is relatively easy in any type of male stripping scene.
This is because the work itself, is quite straight forward an easy, and shouldn’t require much of at all besides confidence, good communication skills and professional photos. If you can demonstrate all 3 effectively to an employer, they will not hesitate to give you topless waitering jobs.
Once you have experience with topless waitering, you can confidently say that you have relevant experience in the adult entertainment industry.
This will make your application look much stronger for all male strip jobs you wish to apply for.
There are many ways to prepare for your first male strip job, such as getting dance classes, watching videos, etc. However it can be hard to initially find the right relevant training specifically for male stripping. It’s a unique profession and the principles of male strip performing are very different to that of any dance style, theatrical performing or any kinds of entertainment. Male stripping is in a league of its own.
The ride along system is a great way to learn about how to perform like a male stripper. It’s basically just ‘shadowing’ an experienced male stripper for 1 night, watching everything he does, going everywhere he goes. However it can be hard to find a male stripper to agree to this or even approach one.
Some male revues will possibly take you on board and offer full training if they see lots of potential I you, however once again this is also uncommon as it requires much time and effort on the show’s behalf, to train you up, for free.
Yes, it’s possible in any type of male stripping to slowly grind and work your way up the ladder, learning things slowly, year after year, however it all seems like a long drag and waste of time, right?
Lucky for you guys, there is an online training system called ‘Male Stripper Academy’. They offer an online training program in full video tutorial format, teaching everything you need to know to become an expert male stripper.
Being able to confidently say you are fully trained, and you know what you are doing, is going to be priceless when applying for work, it will help you greatly, and prepare you to jump straight up the ladder and avoid years and years of slow grinding. You can start stripping and earning money straight away.
For more info about Male Stripper Academy - CLICK HERE.
Some of the things you will need:
Reliable transport
A stripper costume with detachable parts, in a specific theme of your choice
Any props you may use in your show, such as - body lotion, Sex toys, whips, whipped cream, handcuffs, firehose, police batton, blindfold, rope, torch, measuring tape, or anything you can think of that would go well with your strip show theme.
A music speaker, preferably bluetooth compatible, portable and very loud.
a big suitcase to carry around all your costumes/props and everything you need for the duration of the night.
A device to play your music from (can use a smartphone - however make sure it’s in flight mode when dancing so you don’t get calls halfway through).
For some cool ideas for male stripper routines/themes, you can check out my article on this topic HERE.
Step 5: Apply for your first male stripper job!After you can tick all of the boxes above, it’s time to finally get yourself some work in the male stripping industry!
So the first point of contact should be sending an email and also a phone call later that day to follow up.
Simply ‘Google’ the local male strip clubs, revues or agency’s in your city, and contact the entire list from the first page of google, as they will be the ones getting the majority of work.
When sending your initial email include the following:
- Your name
- Where you currently live
- What relevant experience you have
- 1-2 sentences about yourself
- Where you are willing to travel to for work (if doing strip-a-grams)
- Why you want to be a part of this industry
- Your professional photos (this always helps immensely).
- Your routine outline and provided themes (if doing strip-a-grams)
- Confirmation that you have a legal working status.
Now remember don’t be disheartened if you don’t get an immediate reply, In the business, it’s common for them to receive application nearly everyday. So make sure you are persistent and send multiple emails, one everyday until you get a reply if you have to. Trust me, it pays off to hustle hard.
Also don’t forget to pick up the phone and call them at least once a day until you can talk to someone important.
If you are applying to work in a male strip club, them i would also strongly suggest visiting the venue in person just before the club opens, so you can talk to the manager and get an idea of the working environment.
DO NOT visit during the busiest time of the night, it will be a major inconvenience for them to talk to you, it will most likely annoy them as they will be trying to run and operate the show at the same time.
So visit before the club opens, have a chat, and stay for a little bit to see what goes on inside.
So there you have it guys! That’s basically how you get started as a male stripper in a nutshell!
In order to make your application stand out and be recognized you will need to make sure you pay close attention to all the steps i have covered above!
Good luck!
Portal to Russia: What is it like to be a stripper in Ufa?
Portal to Russia:
What is it like to be a
stripper in Ufa?
“They offered 500,000, but they were no longer women”
Portal to Russia:
What is it like to be a stripper in Ufa?
“They also offered 500,000, but they were no longer women”
To become a stripper, you need not only to be able to move, but also to have courage, because many people still perceive this profession as something immoral.
Journalists from The Ufa Room spoke with local stripper Ruslan Tashtimirov about bookings for bachelorette parties, the fight against the fear of public exposure and professional loneliness.
"Sex is taboo." Ufa stripper about his work
Edition: The Ufa Room
Not everyone knows how to undress beautifully. For many men, the pinnacle of skill is simply pulling off your socks in time. But for the elite - it's art. Ruslan Tashtimirov is a successful stripper from Ufa who is equally good at getting rid of not only clothes, but also stereotypes about his profession. He told us about why he considers his work to be ideal, why you need to remain a poet in your soul and why girls do not want to play with dancers.
"Sex is taboo." Ufa stripper about his work
Edition: The Ufa Room
Not everyone knows how to undress beautifully. For many men, the pinnacle of skill is simply pulling off your socks in time. But for the elite - it's art. Ruslan Tashtimirov is a successful stripper from Ufa who is equally good at getting rid of not only clothes, but also stereotypes about his profession.
He told us about why he considers his work to be ideal, why you need to remain a poet in your soul and why girls do not want to play with dancers.
I never thought that one day I would work in a club as a dancer, and even get decent money for it. Everything happened by accident. Was at the right time in the right place. A friend needed a backup dancer, more precisely, support - he was a vocalist - well, I supported him. After that, they praised me and said: “You are doing well, continue this business.” This is how the first inspiration appeared.
I went to the club to join the men's go-go.
But they didn't take me to any club. I auditioned three times in each club. I was offered to participate in a rookie stripper competition - I agreed and took first place. After that, he didn't dance for a year. And a friend who was a vocalist became a dancer. Unlike me, he immediately succeeded - and he arranged for me to work only for a tip, without a salary. This went on for five months.
As soon as I became confident in myself, I again went to all the clubs and saunas and offered myself live wherever possible.
Dancing for the people - it was a kind of elevation, I felt chosen. Imagine five strippers for the entire huge city of a million people. When it just started, I was arrogant and nose to the wind, but only when you fell, getting to your feet, you understand that you are still mortal.
Sometimes, some fans were so willing to pay 100,000 for artificial insemination. They offered 500,000, but they were no longer women. Sometimes they were invited to go to different countries. But work is a creative state of mind, not a pursuit of money.
Working as a stripper is ideal in terms of schedule in the first place. I spend the time that is convenient for me: during the day - to sleep, at night - to work. And, of course, it's nice to see admiration, smiles, recognition, to feel part of the nightlife, to know that you are in the subject.
It's scary to undress in public for the first time.
But this is a new drug - either adrenaline is produced when there is a feeling of excitement, fear and self-preservation, or norepinephrine, where fear feeds and opens you even more, where your head works better and you are delighted with it. But without 50 grams it was hard! (Laughs.) About five times I definitely "fueled" myself until I realized that this was mine.
In our work, we are our own heads. Whatever you take: costumes, numbers, music - it's all our fantasy.
Male striptease is essentially the same as female striptease. The blood in female and male clients is the same, only the psychology is different. Men are more daring clients, and their desires are more diverse, they are more assertive. This psychology is also inherent in us in dance, we are bolder than stripper girls. But this is also a controversial issue, because a dancer can easily compensate for this courage with professionalism.
I never thought of quitting my job. If the Lord came down and asked me what I want, my answer would be: to live forever young and be in the rhythm of the dance.
You go on stage, dance your favorite number, which you have already performed hundreds of times in a hundred different places, and the look of people is different everywhere. It all depends on the class of people: someone admires you like Apollo, and someone just looks and does not understand that this is happening in front of her at all. Try to multiply 13 by 8 in your mind, and let someone take a picture of you at that moment - women sometimes sit with such a face, and when you see it from the stage, it becomes funny.
How do people around me feel about my work? There are no relatives, I am a lone wolf - I live on my own, I do not belong to anyone. As an ascetic, only I did not go into nature, but left the creators who gave birth to me - I was always a naughty and difficult child.
I tell people about my work in different ways. But I don't always talk about it. My work is specific. Somewhere my confession can be beneficial, but somewhere it is better to remain silent.
For example, a traffic police officer stopped me, you say: man, I'm in a hurry to order - and they mercifully let me go. But in a bar it's better not to shout if you happen to be there by accident.
Because of these stereotypes at bachelorette parties, for example, they are afraid to get acquainted - no one wants to be supposedly “another”. The work is such that the relationship will play against you. It's not about jealousy, it's about the fact that it's important for a stripper that everyone thinks they can get you. You have to remain desirable. If I have a girlfriend, then I will cease to be desirable for another, which means that I will not be ordered. There should be intrigue and a feeling that I am available. And yes! I like it.
{"width":100,"columns":12,"padding":0,"line":80}How to Become a Stripper: 8 Steps (with Pictures)
In this article:
Steps
Additional articles
Sources
Male strippers make their living by making other people's fantasies come true.
If you can adapt to this lifestyle, you can make money from it. However, successful striptease requires effort, skill and a bit of luck.
Steps
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1
Assess your confidence and comfort level. The first thing you need to consider is how comfortable you will be working mostly naked in front of large crowds or surrounded by noisy, drunk people. If the thought of this makes you cringe, you better consider another career.
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2
Practice. Strippers help people visualize their fantasies and most people dream of someone who is fit and toned. Work to improve your natural physique - if you are naturally lean and athletic, do low-intensity exercises but repeat them often to improve your physique without becoming bulky. If you are more stocky, focus on building muscle. Remember to eat properly; cut down on fat, sugar, and salt, but make sure you're getting enough healthy calories to build muscle. A good body shape will help you feel confident while striptease.
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3
Choose a suit. Tear off clothes are a popular option for male strippers. A tailor or seamstress will help you add fasteners to your clothes. Make or buy luxurious and seductive lingerie.
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4
Choose your music. Think through the numbers at different paces - fast, medium and slow. Most strippers like songs with strong bass or drum lines. Burn a CD with 3 or 4 songs to perform and make several copies of the CD. If you are working at a private event, you will leave your disc when you leave.
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5
Practice your dancing skills. Practice your presentation 3 times a day. Focus on making your movements look slow and effortless, and making sure your facial expressions make the right impression on the audience. Some male strippers also pole dance; you can develop your skills by setting up a pole at home.
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6
Choose your stage name. Your stage name should reflect your personality as a stripper and tell people what to expect from you.
Choose something seductive and exciting. -
7
Take a close-up photo. Take your black and white photo and start emailing it or taking it to agencies. Be aware that some agencies will try to charge you for posting photos and call it a fee.
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8
Sign up with a reputable agency - Choosing the right male stripper agency to represent you is vital in your quest for success. There are many good reputable agencies, but there are also very bad ones who want to make a quick buck instead of taking care of their performers or clients. When joining an agency, make sure they are registered as a ZAO or LLC company and have full liability insurance. Civil liability insurance can only be obtained by a registered CJSC or LLC company. There are many agencies run by one person from the comfort of your bedroom, so to be on the safe side, ask the agency you are thinking of signing up for their identification code, their TIN, and a copy of their liability insurance.
This way you will be 100% safe and know that you have signed up with a reputable agency.
Tips
- When performing with other male strippers on the set, keep your belongings locked up or in a safe place. (You can lose a lot of your wardrobe on the set!)
- If you have a soul mate, make sure she has nothing against your work.
- Plan your shows with at least two hours between performances. It can be difficult to have multiple gigs in one night.
- Purchase two large sports bags. One will be for your wardrobe and the other for regular clothes. Mixing them up is a recipe for disaster.
- Purchase a variety of thongs and thongs to use in performances.
- If you work for an agent, don't give out your phone number: it's not etiquette, the agency might find out about it and you'll lose all future work.
Warnings
- Be careful and aware of your surroundings when you leave an event or site with a lot of tips.
