After a long wait, the SuicideGirls announce there 2017 U.S Tour. The stunning performance of geeky themes and spectacular cosplay took place at Park West in Lincoln Park. I had the chance to interview Missy about her goals and dreams for SuicideGirls on their visit to Chicago.
Tell us about yourself.
I’m a Libra! My hair color changes and I started SuicideGirls 16 years ago.
How many cities and countries are you touring this year?
This tour we are doing 63 cities around the U.S. We’ll likely do Canada again. We’re going over to the UK to do Comic Con. There’s a lot this year.
What is one thing you like about the performance?
I love the girls’ energy on stage and the way the audience reacts. Amazing! It’s energy & love that the crowd feels and love that the girls feel for the crowd. It’s just remarkable.
What new cosplay characters or themes would you like to be featured in future shows?
I was watching Twin Peaks the other day. I was kicking myself. Why don’t we have a Twin Peaks number? I wish we had a Twin Peaks one and Steven Universe is pretty cool. We have a Sailor Moon number and an Adventure Time number. We do have cartoon references.
What’s your favorite song in the show?
Sunny singing her “WestWorld” number.
What makes a good suicide show? How long is the process?
A good Blackheart Burlesque number must be sexy and the theme must be kind of offbeat. It takes a few months between choreography and trying it out. We do soft performances, to perfect the numbers and see what the audience reacts to and what they don’t. It’s been quite a scientific process.
Burlesque
We decided to mix cosplay elements into the show. Knew that the girls were into cosplay and enjoyed it. We took comic con, humor, & pop culture and blended it all up with a kick ass soundtracks and The Blackheart Burlesque is what is set out.
Would you ever incorporate hip-hop or rap into a show?
We do have an amazing Fresh Prince of Bel Air number that’s in the show right now. We have two weekend songs. I am a big fan of hip-hop. The song must match up with the number that’s the only criteria it should have a pop culture significance in some way. I love Ice Cube, Kanye, Drake, and Lil Wayne that’s my jam right there.
What defines a Chicago SuicideGirl?
Defining any SuicideGirl is a girl that is comfortable & confident with her body and herself, doesn’t feel the need to fit or mold in what society expects her to be. Chicago girls are super fierce and independent women.
Where do you see SuicideGirls in 20 years from now?
It’s hard to say, I couldn’t have told you where would we be 15 years from now. I hope that we have products that make our members’ lives better and our models’ lives better. Staying up with the latest technology, who knows where technology would be in 20 years from now?
I saw that you get a lot of fan email; What’s your favorite fan mail that has touched your heart?
I am lucky to get fan email every single day. I’ll read you one.
Dear Missy,
It’s about 2am here in Huntington West Virginia. It’s a shit hole. After a two-hour drive, I safely return from seeing the SuicideGirls Blackheart Burlesque in Lexington Kentucky. The stage was small and not worthy of fan fair of large cities. The ladies performed divinely on stage. The show is electric & fantastic worthy of my long drive. Thank all the gorgeous ladies of the Blackheart talented burlesque this evening for bringing little joy and a lot of beauty into my life even for a brief time. Such moments are rare in these parts and meaningful in such ways that can’t be fully expressed. Thank you for creating a vista of such remarkable beauty and showing it to the world. What an incredible tribute you have achieved.
SuicideGirls Photos By Heriberto Quiroz
Q & A with Sunny Suicide
Tell us about yourself.
I’m a SuicideGirl, singer, dancer, actress, burlesque performer and pinup enthusiast! I’m Dominican and originally from NY. Some of my favorite things include music, Harry Potter and boobies! All of the guilty pleasures in life.
How did you become interested in becoming a SuicideGirl?
I loved the women representing the brand, I loved their personalities, their edge and inspiring blogs on the site! I was a huge fan of “SG” for years. The models had a spark an essence. I never had the confidence in my life not being sure what avenues to pursue. These women were redefining beauty internationally and found that they didn’t have something I didn’t have, they had something that we all have. Their unapologetic confidence gave me the courage to come out to L.A after being pulled up on stage at their 2013 BHB show in NY and audition to become a part of the most beautiful and encouraging international sorority of babes!
Work
I had recently spent some time with the NYS Puerto Rican & Hispanic Task Force, I also worked for a lobbying firm in Albany, NY as well as slinging drinks behind the neighborhood pub, directing a local burlesque troupe and also teaching burlesque to the women of Hudson, NY. Participating in several musical theatre productions and was in a full time cover band that played at weekly events, galas and weddings. I never slept! Becoming a Suicidegirl taught me how to treat my mind and body much better and do what I love the most!
What are some of your favorite places to travel?
I absolutely love traveling to the UK and France! London is my favorite city outside of NY, it’s such a melting pot of culture, theatre and nightlife. My favorite thing to do is eat new things and watch live performances! Paris is fabulous! You look at the landscape you see no “skyline”, it’s a gorgeous city.
What’s your favorite song to dance to?
I love our Star Wars number the crowd loves their favorite! A favorite of mine. Is our fan dance, it sets itself apart from the rest of our numbers with a bit of a graceful tone and peek a boo. The crowd loves this one as well, happy they are liking our new numbers!
What do you love about Chicago?
The music. I love Jazz so New Orleans and Chicago are two of my absolute favorite stops on the road. Chicago has a swanky spirit about it’s Jazz nightlife. I love the deep dish pizza and that’s big coming from a New Yorker.
What new cosplay/themes would you like to perform this year?
I’m actually working on a few new ideas for my cosplay acts & themes! I can’t give it all away. I’ve been playing around with one of my favorite Robert Rodriguez films this Fall!
101 Spanish?
No se! haha! I would LOVE to find a way to incorporate some Spanish into my acts. I was lucky enough to host our Chile show in Spanish and almost translated my Ariel skit and song, I should probably do that for our super sweet and supportive Spanish speaking fans & share it on social media!
What will you do after burlesque!
I look forward to doing theatre & acting in the future, but being a SuicideGirl means you can do more. We have babes all over the world who are attorneys, nurses, full time students, mothers, mechanics, stoners, dancers and much more. They’re all amazing and never had to choose between SG & moving forward with other careers simultaneously. Retiring is not in my future plans. I hope to be a part of this amazing community.
– Sunny Suicide