“Richmond’s own Raunchy Chandelier, Emma (aka Empress de Naste’), is a local artist, burlesque performer, and the producer behind Immodest Opulence Productions. Before stepping into the burlesque scene, this VCU fashion grad found her footing working at Carytown staples Bygones and the Byrd Theatre—where her love for costuming and all things vintage began.
Just two years into performing, at age 25, Emma was shockingly diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She endured a grueling treatment process, but with the unwavering support of family, friends, and the burlesque community, she’s been cancer-free for 8 years.
This was a fun one. We sat down with Emma to talk about her origin story, roommates using their penises as wristwatches, tips on bedazzling nipple jewelry, and then got into the real stuff… FUCK CANCER.
Big thanks to Broadberry Entertainment Group for the recording space and to RVA Mag for always having our back. Hope everyone’s holding up out there, in the middle of this wild reality we’re living in. Cheers, y’all!” — host, Harrison Christy
RVA Magazine presents It’s Still Our City, a podcast hosted by Harrison Christy and with Clair Morgan as co-host and producer through NODDERLY. It’s an unfiltered dive into what gives Richmond, VA its edge, its charm, and its soul. If you’ve ever wondered what makes this city tick, this one’s for you.
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