“Sensuality is my brand” - Guest Feature: Kiva Siani
Long Beach-based burlesque performer, Kiva Siani performed with us virtually in Like, Totally! and in-person at Jukebox Sleaze: Funk It Up! and Whole Lotta Shakin’.
In this interview, you’ll learn all about Kiva as a performer, from how she got her name and her first performance, to what she’s known for, and what she’s working on now!
Kiva Siani unzips a purple corset, reclining on a green chase lounge.
Photo by Bettina May
Kiva Siani - The Sweetest Trouble Maker Early Burlesque Career
Who doesn’t love an origin story? Learn how Kiva Siani became the “original Miss Hollywood Burlesque” we’ve all come to know and love…
How did you come up with your name?
Lol. Fun. My parents. Kiva Siani is my (shortened) first and middle name. I use to go by Sheila Starr Siani... keeping my middle name cuz it was given to me as a tribute to my showgirl Grammy. Sheila cuz ... well I'm a Prince Girl and always loved the name. Starr cuz Blaze and Isis Starr.
During the pandemic, Miss May and I revved up on The Sensual Mother platform. This meant I was starting to get more into my spiritual practice; holding circles, astrology and magic…doing more work in that realm... I felt inauthentic practicing under SSS... So I changed it........
But right now... I'm actually wondering if it's lame for me to change it back... would that make me a real Prince girl?
How did you come up with your tagline?
I was having drinks with friends at Breakers in LB. My friends and I…. we can get a little rowdy.... like in a cute way... so we attract attention. I wasn't sure what I wanted for my second drink, and the bartender said he had something for me. He mixes it up and hands me this watermelon martini; gin, sugar and cayenne on the rim....
I sip, “It's delicious!!!”... if you've ever seen me put something delicious in my mouth, it's an experience to see my experience. Lol.
I tell him, and he goes, "yea.. that's you.... the Sweet Trouble Maker."
I've grown into it... I have a little bit of a reputation.
There is also The Immaculate MILF:
This guy, who I actually cross paths with a bit still, walked up to me at a concert and said "you're immaculate from head to toe " I was in my 20s...
so I was impressed and started using Immaculate MILF as my MySpace handle.
Now, I think I'm going to also have the Prince Girl of Striptease... cuz.. well.. you know… I have too many Prince songs I pull out for whatever.
What originally drew you to burlesque?
I'm drawn to the art of striptease and to variety arts type stuff... I like the odd little bit of everything feel...but mostly, I was looking for a fulfilling place to perform, as I'm an elder stripper and was getting out of the clubs.
What was your first ever burlesque act?
My first act on a burlesque stage....
Ok... if we are talking way back... before I found Lili VonSchtupp and the Monday Night Tease... then we are talking 2007ish with the Speakeasies at Townhouse Cocktails in Venice Beach.
The act is called Black Hot. It's performed to The Black Keys "Lies".
At Townhouse, I got on the corner of a booth, under a lamp, w people in the booth.. sultry, stocking peels, and I get wet to cool off. Those people were in the splash zone.
I have just passed this act on to my daughter, Mowgli Wilde. She was 7 when I created it, so she knows it.. and the song... really well… I cried watch the video of her.
Kiva Siani, wearing a silver, space alien costume and two buns in her hair, dances in front of a captivated audience.
Photo by Meredith Carlson from our Space Age Speakeasy in January 2024
Kiva’s work and Inspirations
How would you describe your aesthetic and the concepts/stories you explore in your performances?
Sensuality is my brand. I want to turn you on.
I tend to have an underlying narrative in my acts.. they are not usually obvious at all, but it helps me move the emotion thru my body and act.
Who and What are Your Biggest Inspirations?
Prince. The Legends. 70s fashion and 90s music. Smut. "Skinamax". Playboy. Jet magazine. Travel. Hip hop.
Life in general is inspiring. When I walked in to this burlesque world, I loved it, but I often didn't like the music used and wasn't sure MY style (as in look and performance)had a place in this over the top world. My first Legend lunch at the last Tease A Rama (2012) cured that…. PS. I'm a favorite among the Legends… I was told to start saying that out loud and proud.
Anywho, I came into this world purposely injecting hip-hop, soul, R&B and the like into it. I set out to change this with my first show that I produced way back in 2012 when Harvelles LB first opened. It was POC performers only, and only soulful music allowed.
What Inspires Your Acts? Walk Us Through Your Burlesque Act Creation Process
When left to my own devices, it usually starts with a song. When given a theme/prompt I go looking for the song to fit. Costuming is less elaborate for me... always has been. I like the way clothing falls on the body. Less about the bling.
My biggest, most prop-heavy act is my Fox in the Hen House that I created for my Hollywood Burlesque Fest step down. It started because I looove foxes and one approached me and my two besties on a drunken night sitting under the Eye of London. It was sooo much work and I had a costumer. We made a collapsible chicken coop, a big foxtail bustle. And I haven't even seen the coop or put the tails or top costume on in years! But my gorgeous fans (made by Madeline Sinclaire) and my red fringe dress came from this act.
I pull so much from the song tho. This is where I'll make decisions on what direction/style to take the costume and choreo. Emotion is another thing I bring in from the music. How does the music make me feel, how do I want the audience to feel?
In terms of choreography, it's loose... if I'm going onto a big stage where I am not making contact with the audience, I'll rehearse to make sure I go bigger and fill all the space. But for the most part, I pick my start, stick my endings, and have touchpoint moments in the middle. How I get from one moment to the next is very fluid, and that's the element I think people are most drawn in by.
What 3 Burlesque Acts are You Best Known For?
Smooth Like A Hotcomb: this is the one that gets stuck in everyone's head. It's a brass band version of an Outkast song I used to use in the stripclubs.
Dashboard Hula Girl: I choose this because of my Polynesian dance roots... but I rarely perform it any more and it's getting an a big overhaul. The underlying narrative of this one is about the fantasy, idealization that comes about when you
3rd... I think I HAVE to pick my Khajira act that I won HBF with in 2013. It's got slave girl vibes and a 30ft chain. And is to Prince's " Thieves in the Temple".
But lately, I am really loving my Plague doctor and Spacey acts... and my fans... I really love them… I use them all the time.
Kiva Siani looks over her shoulder nearly naked and wrapped in gold chains with a long, high ponytail.
What do you hope to add to the art of burlesque and that audiences take away from your work?
That not everything needs to be BIG, or crazy tricks, or highly choreographed to be good and have an affect on your audience. That raw emotion and movement is valid, especially as a stripteaser.
Your rhinestones shouldn't MAKE the act.
What’s something you’re working on now that you’re excited about?
I'm revamping my dashboard hula girl act. Doing costume upgrades, but even bigger for me is the music change… I found some beautiful songs from a couple of late, iconic, black female artists from the 50s and 60s that fit the vibe…no more surf rock or Elvis. It's slow, the process for me.
I've also got a couple irons in the fire for new productions. ... one is reviving my old show.
Also, slowly gearing my favorite acts into 10 and 15 min versions for featuring.
And then I'm performing for Seattle Erotic Festival in April and booked for Edinburgh Fringe in August… hey London I'll be in you before that.
Where can readers learn more about you and keep up with your work?
Instagram: @KivaSiani
And be on the look out for a podcast that has nothing to do with burlesque.
What current performers are inspiring you now?
I crush hard on Ginger N Whiskey from San Diego.
I think Ily Royale w Cheese is about to do big big things.
Dottie Lux, my luv, let me tell you, this human is one of the most walk the talk human I've ever met. She is making art with a cause, she’s just married the revolution. I'm so inspired.
Eva Mystique in DC!!! I can just watch and watch and watch her.
And locally... Jade Risqué. I call her luscious. And she gives great face! You can feel how much she loves the moment.
Kiva Siani twirling with a rooster-feather boa in a tan, fringe costume at Jukebox Sleaze: Funk It Up! 2023
Kiva Siani’s Burlesque Bio
Kiva Siani secured her place as an icon in the L.A. Burlesque scene in 2013 when she won the title as the first Hollywood Burlesque Festival. Her dancing roots go back to childhood ballet and jazz of, but as an adult, she studied sensual ethnic dances like Polynesian, Samba, and African styles, but she's been stripteasing for over 25 years. She is most known for her slow-burn, intense hip movements, and the raw, vulnerable sensuality she oozes all over the stage.
