Meet Dee Lightfull

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dee Lightfull. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dee, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I think the interesting thing is that I’ve always had a lot of confidence but low self-esteem. In retrospect, I can see that I was often in relationships with people who tried to keep me small, whether it be family, friends, or ex-husbands (yes, plural). When I was in my 40’s, my mother developed Early Onset Alzheimer’s. She was 62, and she declined rapidly. As I watched her and took care of her, I kept thinking how 62 wasn’t really that far away for me! I decided to Marie Kondo my life! I took an honest and hard look at my life and decided that I was getting rid of anything and anyone that didn’t bring me joy. I didn’t really know what I wanted, but I figured a good start to something different would be to get rid of everything I didn’t want. I believe you have to make space for the universe to deliver what you do want! I changed jobs, I got divorced, I resigned from boards and committees, and I gently let go of some “friends.” People accused me of going crazy. I kept insisting I was going sane. This made room for an unexpected, new relationship, just a couple new friends, some incredible new opportunities, and some amazing adventures. As I approached 50, and my mom passed away, I made a bucket list of “My Last 40 Days of My 40s.” I filled it with things I never had the self-confidence to do. I danced on a bar, I spoke at a national conference, I pierced my nose, I started wearing red lipstick, I went skinnydipping, I cos-played at NY ComicCon as off-duty Wonder Woman (I wore my underoos!), I met James Marsters (iykyk), I tried fire cupping, and….I started burlesque. Did people keep talking about me? 100%. Did I care anymore? Absolutely not. I was living my best life. I was soul questing and discovering what made my heart sing. Somewhere along in there, without really trying, I found my self-esteem. And, I know I am worthy of a life that doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else but me.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a lot of things and do a lot of things! For this article, I am focusing on burlesque performing and producing. My burlesque stage name is Dee Lightfull. My tagline is “Where delight meets dynamite!” I also produce burlesque shows with my husband as my co-producer for Burlesque Buffet. On my web site, you can find links to merch (you can wear my butt!) and information about upcoming shows. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll learn lots more!

https://www.deelightfullburlesque.com/
https://instagram.com/deelightfullburlesque
https://instagram.com/burlesquebuffet

To describe my burlesque persona:
Curvy and pervy, nerdy, flirty, and dirty, Dee Lightfull is an artist who you can dee-pend on to dee-light you.

This freewheeling artist and producer from Freeville, New York, has spent the past 4 years brightening stages, pairing full-figured fantasy with a luminous stage presence that is guaranteed to turn you on. With performances that range from classic to neo to comedy, her acts dee-fy dee-scription, and are guaranteed to leave audiences both twitterpated AND glitter-pated.

As producer of the Burlesque Buffet, Dee is also passionate about dee-pening her connection to the art form, while cultivating space for new and established performers to showcase their most dee-licious selves.

A rubenesque celebration of eyes and thighs, who believes that true sexiness has no age-limit, Dee Lightfull is absolutely dee-luscious and dee-lectable!

So, that’s me! Come to a show!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

This is a tough question, because I cuss. A lot. I think one of my skills that has been most impactful in my journey is my ability to be really responsible but also know when it’s time to press the f&ck it button and see what happens! I’m also a Master Resiliency Trainer through the U.S. Army Reserves, and I’m very resilient. Not that toxic resiliency stuff I see popping up everywhere. I’m a problem solver. Lastly, I believe in love and glitter and putting good out into the world. Following a glitter trail has taken me lots of interesting places!
If you’re early in your journey, I think the best way to try to develop or improve on these skills is to always be a learner. Look for new opportunities, challenges, experiences, adventures…and say “yes!” to them. You don’t have to be perfect. When did the idea of needing to be perfect or the best at something become more important than trying new things or doing what you love? Am I the best burlesque performer? Hells no. But my LOVE for it shows through in all of my performances. I share the joy it brings me with my audience.
Oh, and stop apologizing for loving what you love.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

This is such an interesting question. The answer is: ME! I have been the most helpful in helping me overcome challenges and build essential skills. This doesn’t mean I haven’t know amazing people, and I am gifted with the most incredible husband (now…took a few tries). That said, my continual quest for knowledge, self-development, and pushing myself to explore myself and the world are the keys to my success.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Sweetheart Pinup
Don Manuel Presents
Natalie Curry Photography
Captured In Vegas
GoJo Productions

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