Famous Former Strippers

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You’re here. You’ve made it. And now, you’re probably wondering why you should keep scrolling. But trust me, you’ll want to. Because the world is full of surprises—like the fact that some of the most successful, influential, and downright iconic people once made their living under neon lights and pulsating bass.

That’s right. Before they were household names, they were up on stage, working the pole, collecting dollar bills, and perfecting their craft in a way most people never acknowledge. From Hollywood stars to music legends, some of the biggest names have a past that might shock you—or inspire you.

Take Cardi B, for example. She turned her time in the clubs into a launchpad for a rap career that shattered records. Or how about Channing Tatum? Before “Magic Mike” was a blockbuster, he lived it, grinding his way through Florida strip clubs to make ends meet. Even the legendary Lady Gaga had her moment in the world of burlesque before dominating the pop scene.

Still reading? Good. Because the list doesn’t stop there. Some of the world’s biggest names have danced their way from the club to superstardom, proving that no matter where you start, it’s all about where you’re headed.

So, go on. Keep scrolling. You never know who you’ll find next.

1. Cardi B

Cardi B turned her time in the clubs into a launchpad for a rap career that shattered records.

2. Azealia Banks

Before she became famous, Azealia Banks used to work in the gift shop of a jazz club and danced in a strip club to make money.

3. Chris Pratt

Before “Guardians Of The Galaxy” and Hollywood, a 18-year-old Chris Pratt tried his hand at stripping. He says he’s always been comfortable with his clothes off and would go around doing Bachelorette parties.

4. Blac Chyna

Although a businesswoman in her own right, Blac Chyna got her start as a stripper in Florida.

5. Amber Rose

Before becoming a successful model, artist, socialite, girlfriend of Kanye West and wife of Wiz Khalifa, Amber took to the stage as a stripper in both New York and Philadelphia. She went by the name of Rose during this time.

6. Channing Tatum

It’s no secret that the “Magic Mike” actor had more training than most before he played a stripper on screen. The hot actor has videos all over the Internet of his days as a stripper in Florida.

7. Eve

During an episode of VH1’s “Behind the Music,” Eve explained that exotic dancing led to her music career after rapper Mase met her.

8. Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine turned to stripping to raise money for an operation. The planned worked, as she quit the pole and quickly found success in the industry soon after her surgery.

9. Mark Consuelos

Before breaking out as an actor on All My Children (1970), he worked in the Tampa Bay area in Florida as a male exotic dancer at a club called “Stingers” in the mid-90s. His stage name was “Meat”.

10. Lady Gaga

Gaga attended NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, but dropped out and moved out of her parents’ house. To support herself, she worked as a waitress during the day and a stripper at night. 

11. Dita Von Teese

Dita Von Teese worked as a stripper in a strip club in Orange County, California. She started working there when she was 19 years old.

12. Brad Pitt

13. Kendra Wilkinson

Shortly before Wilkinson entered the Playboy Mansion at 18 years old, she was a stripper.

14. Javier Bardem

According to Bardem, it initially started off as a joke. But then he got hired to perform again — and his family members were in the audience to offer support.

15. Anna Nicole Smith

Anna Nicole Smith worked as a stripper in Houston, Texas before becoming a model and Playboy Playmate

16. Nene Leakes

In her 2009 memoir titled “Never Make the Same Mistake Twice,” Leakes explained what prompted her to start stripping. At the time, she was a single mother struggling to pay rent and support her son. Leakes took a job as a stripper under the name “Silk” and said that she felt “powerful” as a dancer.