How did you get your stage name?

In Roman mythology “Venus” is the goddess of love, beauty, seduction and of the seas.

How did you get into dancing?

I kind of got into it by accident. My mother signed me up for classical dance classes when I was five, the school was next door. For the end of the year show, I realised that I loved being on stage! Slowly, but surely, dancing became a passion and I kept with it assiduously until I graduated from high school. I then chose to get my State diploma as a dance teacher, while at the same time trying to get into a ballet troupe. But it’s a music hall that finally chose me! From proposition to proposition, I went from one contract to another in various countries. Then one day I was working with a former Crazy Girl who assured me that I had everything I needed to become a part of the Crazy Horse troupe… and here I am!

Notoriously intimidating, can you tell us how your Crazy Horse audition went?

Back in 2004 Crazy Horse Paris wasn’t as high-profile as it is now and its image wasn’t quite clear to me. I auditioned without really knowing what to expect. During my improvisation on stage, I let my hair down in front of me and didn’t quite know what I was doing there. When I heard Sofia Balma, then in charge of the shows, say “It’s alright, but you’re going to have to lose three kilos!”, I thought to myself that I didn’t really care what she said, I’d never come back… But seventeen years on, I’m still here! Actually, the team having understood that I was afraid since I didn’t know the house, they called me back and convinced me to come see the show. For the first thirty seconds, before the Royal Guard act, I have to admit that all I saw were breasts and buttocks. A few seconds later, I had completely forgotten about the nudity and was just simply in awe. I had come with a friend who loved the show and I also needed that approval from someone close to me before committing.

What keeps you dancing at the Crazy Horse after more than seventeen years?

This stage is unforgettable and difficult to leave. When I set foot on Crazy Horse Paris stage, I enter into another dimension. It’s challenging to deliver something authentic and different to the audience every night. I used to dream of becoming a prima ballerina, but becoming a classical dancer wasn’t in the cards for me. I always had to hide my natural curves and tuck in my naturally arched back. Here, I fit in. I often tell the younger dancers that, if you’re not moving forward here, then maybe it’s because you should be trying elsewhere.

As a woman and a Crazy Horse dancer, how would you describe your relationship with your own body?

For years I was very insecure, I hadn’t really taken possession of my own body. As a dancer I have to admit that I mistreated it a little bit. I thought of my own body as a tool that should give in to my every demand. But I learned to love it and today I know that I’m very lucky to have this body.

Why is the stage lighting considered to be emblematic of the Crazy Horse?

At Crazy Horse Paris, there are two types of lighting: traditional theater lighting and artistic luminescent projections. Every act is a production with lights that requires many hours of rehearsals with the technicians who each have their own specialty. It’s really the light plays that dress or clothe us during the show and that are the speciality of the house. What’s fun to watch during rehearsals is that, when the lights all of a sudden go off for a few seconds, we feel totally naked!

Which act of the Totally Crazy ! Show is dearest to your heart?

I perform and also love them all! But I’ll choose Take my Love! It’s a lively and sparkling act in which the dancers are covered in luminescent champagne bubbles. The playback allows us to call on someone in the audience, while also creating a bond with the rest of the spectators. It’s the ultimate gay and festive act, prelude to the finale. Also, I was lucky to have worked with Patricia Folly, or Psykko Ticco who created it and who is one of the emblematic Crazy Horse dancers. This has given rise to many magical discussions between us, which is another reason why it’s important to me.

Discover Vénus Océane in video : 

Photos : Esteban Wautier, Riccardo Tinelli, Ornella Piacentille
Video : Paul-Henri Pesquet