From erotic dancer to strip club boss, Gigi bares all about the industry
South Africans are spoilt for choice when it comes to erotic entertainment, despite many conservative mindsets.
So says former stripper and business owner Gigi, real name Perle van Schalkwyk.
Gigi. Businesswoman, actress ... And uhm the co-owner of The Lollipop Lounge in Randburg.
— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) June 1, 2018
We're talking about strip clubs in our Talking Sex segment.@Radio702 and @CapeTalk pic.twitter.com/5Y3YGN3a3M
Gigi is the co-owner of The Lollipop Lounge, a popular strip club in the heart of Randburg, Johannesburg.
She has been in the adult entertainment industry for almost 30 years.
She started her club with her business partner, Mike Crole, who previously worked in the security industry.
Gigi was a erotic dancer for 15 years before starting The Lollipop Lounge in 2005.
She says her dancers make their living by turning male patrons into sex objects.
Couples, lonely men and bachelor party groups are among the regular clientele at the lounge.
She explains that her club represents a diverse group of dancers of different ages and body types. Gigi adds that safety and security are very important at the club.
Everybody comes alive when they go on stage.
Gigi, businesswoman and co-owner of The Lollipop Lounge
Men love being sex objects.. If you treat the men like sex objects, they spend money because they love it.
Gigi, businesswoman and co-owner of The Lollipop Lounge
Stripping is not an easy career, but it's a great way to make money.
Gigi, businesswoman and co-owner of The Lollipop Lounge
Gigi studied drama and began her career in the 90s as an actress and part-time cabaret dancer.
She says erotic dancing builds a sense of confidence and self-awareness, and she opens up about her love for the stage.
I grew up as a Jehovah's Witness in Paarl.
Gigi, businesswoman and co-owner of The Lollipop Lounge
I saw a small advert for cabaret dancers and I went off and I started dancing in 1990.
Gigi, businesswoman and co-owner of The Lollipop Lounge
We were still dancing withe nipple caps and g-stings in those years.
Gigi, businesswoman and co-owner of The Lollipop Lounge
Dancing is a complete art.
Gigi, businesswoman and co-owner of The Lollipop Lounge
She spoke about her business and callers also phoned in to share their views and experiences about the strip-club industry.
Listen to the titillating discussion during the Talking Sex feature:
This article first appeared on CapeTalk : From erotic dancer to strip club boss, Gigi bares all about the industry
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