The Life of a Stripper

Many have portrayed the sexy image: Demi Moore, Vivica A. Fox, and even HBK, Shawn Michaels has taken it all off in the center of the ring. Being a stripper may look like a fun way to feel sexy while bringing in the big bucks, but there’s a lot about the profession that you may not know about.

The age old saying, “it takes money to make money” applies. Except, in this case, the result of going to work may be loosing money. In many strip clubs the dancers actually have to pay a cover charge in order to dance. A night at a club in New York, dancers have to pay $250 a night to work. If they don’t make at least that much in tips, they will be at a loss.

In addition to not getting hourly wages, or salary, dancers often have to tip out other employees a percentage of their tips at the end of the night. These employees may include bouncers, dj, valets, and even servers and bus boys. All of which receive hourly wages.

An experienced dancer working at a club in New York, LA, or Atlanta, Georgia could make up to one to two thousand dollars in one night. However, a dancer in a smaller town, or someone new to the line of work, may find it harder to make that kind of money.

This is what turns many women to prostitution. Sadly, this is seen as a safe alternative. More often than we realize, acts of prostitution occur in the strip clubs themselves. VIP suites and private rooms (meant to give the illusion of privacy) serve as the perfect spot for trouble.

According to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, Jenna Denig, a former stripper, said that a friend of hers recently tried to return to the business. The day manager of the club said, “The stage fee is $250. I don’t care how you make it. Do whatever you have to. Just get the stage fee.”

A strip club in Northwest Arkansas was recently busted for prostitution. Another club was busted when three dancers offered sex for money to an undercover police officer.