With a smile, a wink and more legs than a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Leggy Majors continues to combine humor and elegance in Chico’s local burlesque scene.
Majors will celebrate a decade of performing this summer and continues to push the art form as a producer since The Stardust Revue's inception.
“It's kind of a way to have a certain sense of joie de vivre, if you will, like just an enjoyment of life,” Majors said.
“It's kind of a way to have a certain sense of joie de vivre, if you will, like just an enjoyment of life."— Leggy Majors, burlesque performer
Majors, although a name used for anonymity, does not feel like an alter ego but rather like an extension of who he truly is.
“I guess for me it feels interesting, because on one hand I feel incredibly just myself, like who I am, and then there's this sort of composite character,” Majors said.
Beginning Majors with a history
Majors’ burlesque background began with the friendships he’s developed. What started as a playful joke would eventually blossom.
“We would get together, and we would dance all the time, and we would put on old records and just dance around with music,” Majors said. “Some of them were pretty salacious and titillating.”
Majors would eventually take the stage with The Malteazers, a locally formed group that practices the craft as they embark on burlesque offerings at The Maltese, which was an LGBTQ+-friendly bar in town.
“I remember being really nervous, and because it had been the first time I had done that type of performance,” Majors said.
The moniker itself originated from a lighthearted conversation during an audition.
“It was remarked that I should have my legs insured, kind of like Betty Grable or the old pin-ups,” Makors said, “so I kind of jokingly was like, well, maybe I should just go by Leggy because it's kind of suggestive.”
“I can put on the corset, and I can put on the gloves, and I can wink at a dark-haired man from across the bar, but at the end of the day, it's about showmanship.”— Leggy Majors, burlesque performer
The second part of his stage name carries a deeper meaning — serving as a tribute to his late mother’s maiden name.
“It was a way for me to kind of keep her with me while I performed and kept my life going,” Majors said.
His mother passed away shortly before Majors ever hit the stage.
“I was raised by that side of the family for a long time, I actually considered just changing my name, my last name to Majors,” Majors said. “Then I realized just how expensive and ridiculous the name change process was, so I figured this was the next best thing.”
A decade later, and lessons learned along the way
Majors has long appreciated the bond formed with an audience during a performance.
Ultimately, he feels responsible for ensuring that the audience has fun and feels safe.
“I can put on the corset, and I can put on the gloves, and I can wink at a dark-haired man from across the bar, but at the end of the day, it's about showmanship,” Majors said. “It's about having fun, and it's about letting people feel like they're part of something.”
However, he emphasizes the extent of the work and effort, which goes far beyond the show number alone.
While the audience members get the glitz on stage, they are guests invited to a house built on driven dedication by a deep love for the craft.
“When you come to these shows, it's not just about going out and just seeing a show, you're actually occupying space within a community, and that's what we're here for,” Majors said.
Reflecting on a decade of challenges and hurdles, Majors sees it as a rewarding blessing.
“I've gained a lot of friends, I've met really interesting people, I've traveled around performing,” Majors said. “It's hard work, but it's been a real blessing.”
For Majors, the work that comes with burlesque is what he is proud of, especially the dedicated practice of fostering community and artistic expression.
