From queen of the rodeo at age four to maven on stage now, Jess Thompson takes the nightlife by storm as Hurricane Fran with The Stardust Revue burlesque and drag show.
A faux-fur boa, bunny ears and pink rhinestones shine on her floor-length gown.
While looking at photographs from her last burlesque performance, Thompson said she’s always been a performer.
“... putting on little fashion shows. I had a trunk full of costumes when I was a kid, so I always had the little plastic heels and the jewelry and the not good makeup,” Thompson said.
Since its inception, Thompson has performed with The Stardust Revue, dazzling audiences at various places around town.
“I want them to get joy and excitement and feel like they are witnessing something special because I'm giving part of myself away every time I get on stage,” Thompson said. “I want that to be respected, received, and poured back into our audience members' cup.”
Thompson lives a Superman life. During the day, she goes to what she calls her “muggle job." At night she comes alive as Hurricane Fran.
“In my first interview, I told my boss that if it’s not going to work for you, it’s not going to work for me with regard to being a performer and doing what I do.”
“She makes me feel powerful and beautiful, and she gives me the confidence to try new things and take risks.”- Jess Thompson, Hurricane Fran
Hurricane Fran’s arrival in Chico
Hurricane Fran is a firecracker.
“I call her the New Jersey housewife living off her Florida Key streets,” Thompson said. “She's been banned from every trailer park in the 50-mile radius and every liquor store, too.”
Her performance style is inspired by a mixture of classic burlesque glamour blended with camp aesthetic elements, which are influenced by John Waters films like "Hairspray" and "Cry-Baby."
“I've been finding myself leaning into camp a lot more, and not just glamorous camp, but goofy with glamor mixed in,” she said. “And I think that that's my current journey right now.”
Thompson says Fran was born at Thrifty Bargain in Chico after finding a cheetah print satin muumuu and gaudy jewelry. One of her producers gave her the name while getting ready to perform.
“She makes me feel powerful and beautiful, and she gives me the confidence to try new things and take risks,” Thompson said.
From the rodeo to the Malteazers
Thompson’s desire for the spotlight started at a young age. Her mother would take her to rodeos dressed in denim skirts, western blouses and lilac cowgirl hats.
One of those times, a country singer noticed her singing along during a line dancing segment and invited her to share the microphone. From that moment, she realized her love for the spotlight.
“I sang with her, and right from there, I was like, ‘Oh, I like the spotlight,’” Thompson said.
She would follow her instinct with the Chico burlesque troupe, The Malteazers.
Just having reached drinking age, Thompson lacked a social circle and needed friends.
“I remember going to the grocery store once just because I needed to achieve an interaction,” Thompson said.
She would frequent the now dearly departed The Maltese Bar for their burlesque and drag night, often headlined by the troupe.
Having attended a few of their shows, she auditioned on a whim.
“I rehearsed so much I didn’t know what I was doing, but I rehearsed, and I had a couple of little costumes, and I went and I performed, and they accepted me.”
Stardust and mentoring the next generation
The Stardust Revue debuted at Duffy’s Tavern in February of 2022.
It formed after The Maltese Bar closed its doors.
“It feels like a community coming together to celebrate joy and celebrate queerness and femininity,” Thompson said.
Thompson has developed another passion on her performance journey: mentoring up-and-coming burlesque performers and helping them find their way.
“Going to a burlesque or drag show is like being in church, the joy you feel in the audience, the stomping, the clamping, the singing, the dancing. It is the most special experience I think you can have.”- Jess Thompson, Hurrican Fran
“There are different levels of creativity, different personalities, and different ethnic groups, so that when you're seeing these performers on stage, someone can hopefully see themselves in them,” Thompson said.
She provides guidance and connects the performers with valuable resources, including opportunities in other cities. Ultimately, she wants her imprint on the scene to have an impact while leaving the audience with an unforgettable experience that will linger.
“Going to a burlesque or drag show is like being in church, the joy you feel in the audience, the stomping, the clamping, the singing, the dancing. It is the most special experience I think you can have,” Thompson said.
