All About Las Vegas style Showgirls
If you're interested in learning more about Las Vegas style showgirls, this page has everything you need to know.
Vegas showgirls have a rich history that is deeply rooted in the traditions of dance and theater. The origins of showgirls can be traced back to the early 20th century, when large-scale dance productions were popular in Europe and the United States.
One of the earliest influences on the Vegas showgirl was the Ziegfeld Follies, a series of elaborate stage productions that ran on Broadway from 1907 to 1931. These productions featured a large cast of dancers and performers, including beautiful women dressed in elaborate costumes.
Another major influence on the Vegas showgirl was the French cabaret tradition, which emerged in the late 19th century. These productions featured dancers, singers, and comedians, and were known for their elaborate costumes and sets.
In the early 20th century, dance became an increasingly popular form of entertainment, and large-scale dance productions began to appear in cities across the United States. These shows, which often featured dozens of dancers in elaborate costumes, were a precursor to the Vegas showgirl.
As Las Vegas began to emerge as a major entertainment destination in the 1950s, showgirls became a key part of the city's entertainment scene. Resorts like the Flamingo, the Sands, and the Tropicana all featured lavish stage productions that included showgirls, who dazzled audiences with their beauty, grace, and talent.
One of the most famous Vegas showgirl productions of all time was Lido de Paris, a production that debuted at the Stardust Resort and Casino in 1958. Lido de Paris featured a cast of more than 100 performers, including dozens of showgirls, who danced and sang their way through elaborate production numbers that included everything from giant fountains to revolving stages.
Over the years, the Vegas showgirl has continued to evolve, incorporating elements of dance, theater, and fashion to create a unique and iconic style. Today, the showgirl remains a beloved part of Las Vegas history, and continues to captivate audiences with her beauty, talent, and glamour.
If you're looking to add a touch of Vegas magic to your next event or party, hiring Vegas showgirls is a great way to do it. These talented performers can bring the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to any occasion, with their dazzling costumes, impressive dance skills, and infectious energy.
Whether you're planning a corporate event, a wedding reception, or a private party, Vegas showgirls can help take your event to the next level. So why not add a touch of Vegas history to your next event by hiring these iconic performers? With their beauty, talent, and sheer star power, Vegas showgirls are sure to make your event unforgettable.
Showgirls in Film
Showgirls have appeared in countless films throughout the last century. Below is a list of prominent examples.
1920s:
The Broadway Melody (1929) - Features showgirls on Broadway
1930s:
The Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933) - Features Busby Berkeley's signature choreography and showgirls
Footlight Parade (1933) - Features Busby Berkeley's signature choreography and showgirls
42nd Street (1933) - Features Busby Berkeley's signature choreography and showgirls
Moulin Rouge (1934) - Features dancers at the Moulin Rouge in Paris
Gold Diggers of 1935 (1935) - Features Busby Berkeley's signature choreography and showgirls
The Great Ziegfeld (1936) - Features the Ziegfeld Follies showgirls
1940s:
Ziegfeld Girl (1941) - Features showgirls auditioning for the Ziegfeld Follies
Bathing Beauty (1944) - Features showgirls performing in a Hollywood swimming pool
Ziegfeld Follies (1945) - an all-star revue film featuring massive, iconic showgirl numbers.
Gilda (1946) - Features Rita Hayworth performing an exotic dance in a nightclub
The Las Vegas Story (1949) - Features showgirls performing in a Las Vegas nightclub
1950s:
The Band Wagon (1953) – Features Cyd Charisse and incredible, lavish stage show numbers that influenced Vegas choreography.
Guys and Dolls (1955) - Features a musical number with showgirls in a Havana nightclub
Bus Stop (1956) - Features Marilyn Monroe as a Cherie, a nightclub singer and dancer
The Joker Is Wild (1957) - Features showgirls performing in a Las Vegas nightclub
Some Like It Hot (1959) - Features Marilyn Monroe as Sugar Kane, a singer and ukulele player in a Chicago speakeasy
1960s:
Ocean’s Eleven (1960) - Features showgirls performing in a Las Vegas casino
Viva Las Vegas (1964) - Features Ann-Margret as Rusty Martin, a Las Vegas showgirl
Casino Royale (1967) - Features Ursula Andress as Vesper Lynd, a double agent who performs a burlesque act
Funny Girl (1968) – Follows the life of Fanny Brice, a star of the Ziegfeld Follies, and features several major Ziegfeld showgirl sequences (including "His Love Makes Me Beautiful").
Sweet Charity (1969) - Features Shirley MacLaine as Charity Hope Valentine, a dance hall hostess in New York City
1970s:
Follies (1971) - Features a reunion of showgirls from the Weismann Follies
Cabaret (1972) - Features showgirls performing in a Berlin cabaret during the rise of the Nazi party
The Godfather: Part II (1974) - Features showgirls performing in a Havana nightclub
New York, New York (1977) - Features Liza Minnelli as Francine Evans, a singer and performer in New York City
All That Jazz (1979) – Bob Fosse’s masterpiece about the grueling life of a Broadway/Cabaret director, featuring intense dance auditions and heavily costumed showgirl-style hallucination numbers.
1980s:
The Cotton Club (1984) - Features showgirls performing in the Harlem jazz club of the same name
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) – The opening sequence features Kate Capshaw as Willie Scott performing "Anything Goes" backed by a massive line of tap-dancing, sequined showgirls in a Shanghai nightclub.
1990s:
Showgirls (1995) - Features a young woman who becomes a Las Vegas showgirl
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) - Features showgirls performing in Dr. Evil's Las Vegas casino
2000s:
Moulin Rouge! (2001) - Features dancers at the Moulin Rouge in Paris
Ocean's Eleven (2001) - Features showgirls performing in a Las Vegas casino
Showboy (2002) - Follows the journey of a young dancer who dreams of becoming a Las Vegas showboy
Chicago (2002) – Features heavily stylized cabaret and vaudeville performances, heavily indebted to the showgirl aesthetic.
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005) - Features a Las Vegas showgirl who helps Sandra Bullock's character with her undercover operation
Dreamgirls (2006) - Features a girl group, including Beyoncé's character, performing as showgirls in Las Vegas
Smokin' Aces (2006) - Features a group of hitmen and showgirls in a Las Vegas hotel
Hairspray (2007) - Features a dance number with showgirls at the Miss Teenage Hairspray pageant
Burlesque (2010) - Features Christina Aguilera's character as a small-town singer who becomes a showgirl in a Los Angeles club
2010s:
Magic Mike (2012) - Follows the story of a male dancer and his fellow performers in Tampa, Florida
The Great Gatsby (2013) - Features showgirls performing at Gatsby's lavish parties in the 1920s
Showgirls 2: Penny's from Heaven (2013) - A sequel to the 1995 film Showgirls, featuring a new story about a Las Vegas showgirl
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014) - Features showgirls performing in a Las Vegas casino
The Neon Demon (2016) - Follows a young model's journey through the cutthroat world of the Los Angeles fashion industry
La La Land (2016) - Features a dance number with showgirls in a Hollywood movie studio
Showgirls: Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the difference between a Las Vegas showgirl and a burlesque dancer?
Answer: While both wear glamorous costumes, a traditional Las Vegas showgirl is primarily a trained dancer performing choreographed routines in a large-scale theatrical revue. Burlesque is a distinct art form focused on tease, comedy, and striptease, usually performed as a solo act rather than in a chorus line.
Question: Why do showgirls wear those massive feathered headdresses?
Answer: The iconic feathered headdresses, often crafted with ostrich or pheasant plumes, were designed to create visual spectacle and make dancers appear taller and more imposing on massive Las Vegas stages. A traditional showgirl headdress can weigh anywhere from 10 to 30 pounds.
Question: Are there still traditional showgirl revues in Las Vegas today?
Answer: The era of the massive, classic showgirl revues effectively ended in 2016 when Jubilee! closed at Bally's. However, the spectacle remains alive in modern Las Vegas entertainment. Dita Von Teese headlines a high-profile residency at Voltaire inside The Venetian, performing in authentic vintage Bob Mackie showgirl costumes. Additionally, productions like VEGAS! THE SHOW at the Saxe Theater directly honor classic showgirl numbers, while long-running revues like Fantasy at Luxor continue to keep the iconic feathered aesthetic front and center.
Question: What do hired showgirls do at private events or corporate parties?
Answer: Hired showgirls bring instant Las Vegas glamour to any gathering. They are frequently booked to greet guests, pose for red-carpet photos, assist with awards presentations or casino-night games, and perform choreographed dance routines to kick off a celebration.
Question: What is the "Showgirl Pose"?
Answer: The classic showgirl stance involves standing tall with shoulders back, placing one leg in a "bevel"—bent slightly at the knee and crossed in front—and holding hands elegantly on the hips or framing the costume. This posture is designed to elongate the legs and highlight the intricate detail of the feathers and beadwork.