Mimi Heitkamp shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Mimi, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
When I’m slipping into satin gloves or brushing out my curls to a playlist of vintage jazz divas, I completely lose track of time. There’s something about preparing for a performance—especially my pink-and-pearls act—that feels like stepping into a softer, more sparkly version of myself.
Burlesque isn’t just a show for me, it’s a love letter to my own femininity. Whether I’m hand-gluing rhinestones onto a corset or rehearsing that perfect little pause before a reveal, I’m not thinking about anything else. I’m just in it.
Those moments bring me back to who I really am—playful, powerful, and fully present. It’s like all the noise fades away, and what’s left is a woman who knows exactly what she’s doing and loves every second of it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m The Marvelous Miss Mimi, a classic-style burlesque performer and lover of all things soft, sparkly, and steeped in glamour. I was “raised” in the burlesque world in Los Angeles, where I had the gift of learning from some of the most seasoned and soulful performers in the art form. Being surrounded by that legacy—the history in the costumes, the choreography, even the backstage chatter—made me feel like I had slipped through a crack in time. And honestly? I never wanted to leave.
My acts are inspired by the elegance of Jubilee-era showgirls, the mystique of Dita Von Teese, and the delicious theatricality I see in modern artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift. I live for a rhinestone-covered narrative arc—whether it’s a sultry glove peel or a dreamy pink fan flourish that tells you exactly who I am without saying a word.
Right now, I’m revamping my signature “Pink and Pearls” number to take everything I love—vintage silhouettes, hyper-feminine storytelling, and showgirl fantasy—and turn it into a true main character moment.
I believe in soft power, slow glamour, and creating a kind of magic that lingers long after the final bow.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Growing up, I was always the reserved one—the quiet observer, the good girl. But the moment an old Hollywood musical came on, it was like someone flipped a switch. Gene Kelly was my first crush, and from there I dove headfirst into a world of tap shoes, technicolor, and glittering gowns.
I didn’t have words for it then, but I knew I was drawn to the theatricality—to the elegance, the drama, the unapologetic joy of it all. In the basement playroom, I’d twirl for hours in a hand-me-down (and probably vintage) satin dress, lost in a dream where I could step through the screen and become someone larger-than-life.
Before the world told me to shrink myself or stay realistic, I knew exactly who I was: someone who felt most alive when there was a little sparkle, a little spectacle, and a story to be told. And in a way, I’m just circling back to that girl now—this time in pasties and pearls.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
When I moved to Denver during COVID, everything felt uncertain. I was leaving behind the LA burlesque scene I had come up in—a space that deeply honored classic style—and stepping into a community that was vibrant and diverse, but very different. Not better, not worse—just unfamiliar. And I didn’t know where I fit.
Classic burlesque was what I knew. It was my language, my lineage. But in a sea of neo-burlesque, comedy, and fusion acts, I started to wonder if I was outdated, or worse—unwanted. On top of that, I had gained the COVID pounds, didn’t fit into any of my costumes, and questioned if maybe this dream had quietly expired. Maybe it was time to pack it up.
But after some soul-searching (and let’s be honest, a few dramatic mirror monologues), I realized that being in the minority was actually my strength. Classic burlesque was my edge, not my weakness. So I sized up my corsets, rhinestoned new bras, and got back to work.
Because as hard as it felt, I missed that stage. I missed the lights, the applause, the moment when the music hits and the crowd gasps at your reveal. That feeling mattered more than my fear ever could.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One truth I’ve come to live by is that beauty isn’t frivolous—it’s powerful. And that joy? Joy is reason enough.
There’s a question that always floats around burlesque: “Isn’t this just for the male gaze?” And for me, the answer is simple. No. My performance isn’t about being consumed—it’s about being seen. And more importantly, about seeing myself.
When I step into a rhinestoned corset and perfect that final glove peel, it’s not because I’m trying to impress anyone. It’s because it brings me joy. It’s because it reconnects me to my softness, my presence, and my body in a way that’s entirely my own.
I think we’ve been taught to dismiss beauty, especially feminine beauty, as shallow. But to me, burlesque is a sacred reclaiming of all the things we’ve been told not to be—too much, too soft, too sparkly, too sensual. It’s where I choose to be all of it anyway.
That’s not just a performance. That’s a homecoming.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I don’t need to be remembered for changing the world—I’d rather be remembered for making people pause long enough to see something beautiful in it.
There’s a quote I love by Elsie de Wolfe: “I am going to make everything around me beautiful—that will be my life.” That’s what I try to do with burlesque, with my presence, with the way I show up in the world. Not to be admired, but to offer a moment of beauty for no other reason than it feels good.
We live in a world that constantly demands justification—why we wear what we wear, love what we love, create what we create. But not everything has to be explained or monetized or made efficient.
Some things are worth doing simply because they’re beautiful.
And if I helped anyone remember that, even for a moment, I’ll be proud of what I left behind.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarvelousmissmimi/
- Other: https://www.gigsalad.com/the_marvelous_miss_mimi_denver
Image Credits
D20Photography
hthr.thephotographer
