Rebecca Crow is a phenomena in the world of modelling. She doesn’t just model though. This multi-talented woman is also a fire performer, burlesque artist, event host, vlogger and blogger. She is passionate about the rights of individuals and the right to freedom of expression. Working mostly within the alternative sub culture, Crow has had to battle hard for her success.
“I first got into modelling like so many people do when they want to get into something creative at college like photography. I became a photographer at first and then I joined Boots, the chemist, and became a make up artist. I started doing make up for my friends and after doing a couple of shoots I asked if I could get a couple of shots. So I did that and got a few portfolio shots and was very unestablished, but was approached by Suicide Girls which was a great honour because I had been a huge fan of them. They invited me to shoot and I became a Suicide Girl and the rest is history.”
The term ‘Suicide Girl’ meaning to commit social suicide by appearing different is often misinterpreted in the mainstream press. Part of that style is coloured hair, piercings, a love of wearing alternative fashion and of course, tattoos.
“I’ve always been alternative. My parents were bikers when they were younger so they’ve always been in to music and stuff. When my mum was pregnant with me she went to a Guns N’ Roses concert so I blame that as the root of my alternativeness. I’ve always been different. Ever since I was 14 I’ve been dying my hair, and burning it off. With tattoos I started on my 18th birthday and I got a really shit one and it hurt so much and I was addicted. I am always going to keep getting more tattoos. At the moment I’ve just bought a house so I’m in a bit of a financial deficit so none for a little while but I do plan to finish my black work on my arm eventually. Then hopefully I’m going to get a back piece, something really big. If I turn around, from the back I don’t look tattooed.”
Rebecca is part of the internationally renowned Pyrohex fire troupe who perform across the globe at music festivals, tattoo conventions and other similar gatherings. Although things have tailed off a little recently due to other commitments, the group are still a fixture at the London Tattoo Convention. People will often come to the event just to see them perform and to get merchandise signed. Other members include best friend Cervena Fox, Gem Dee, Dani Divine and the only male member of the outfit, Sununu Hernandez, who also happens to be a drone pilot when he’s not fire performing.
“Fire is one of those things I kind of fell into. Being the rebel that I am, I didn’t want to get a real job so I tattooed my fingers so I couldn’t and I was looking for other avenues to try and get some income, and I joined a fire troupe. We did pretty well and we did a couple of tattoo shows but I didn’t really learn any of the skills until later on. The Fuel Girls inspired me because they had been going for a long time and I have worked with them briefly; they’re awesome girls. I met my bestie Cervena Fox and we developed our skills together from there really. Now I’m part of Pyrohex; they are my babes and I love them dearly. We don’t do as many shows any more because we’re all very busy and Cervena has moved abroad.”
Burlesque has moved on a lot from the days of post card titillation and has become a major performance industry with a wide range of diversity. It’s been embraced by the alternative sub culture because of the way it allows artists room to express themselves. For many, freedom of expression is key and that is what draws them to perform burlesque.
“I’m not really a traditional burlesque artist. I do try to theme all of my acts and I do try to take inspiration from movies. My most successful burlesque act is Harley Quinn from Suicide Squad. I think her character and my character are pretty much on the same kind of level. Apart from that, I usually start with the song. If I hear a great song that has great sections that I feel I can work into an act or elements of an act into, I often start there.”
Being a part of the Suicide Girls organisation has obviously helped Rebecca with her career. She has risen up through the ranks and now runs a monthly event held at Omeara in London. The club night is entirely run by women and all performers, DJs and staff are women.
“I would say I am the matriarch of the UK Suicide Girls. I’ve not been a Suicide Girl as long as some of the other girls in the UK. It had a bit of a lull just before I joined but now it’s bigger and better than ever. I run the only UK club night endorsed by the Suicide Girl, in fact it’s the only club night in the world endorsed by them. It’s called Dis-Grace with Suicide Girls and all my girls come down and I try to lead by example because some of the girls are quite new. It’s a wonderful world to be part of.”
Some people may wonder what happens when a model or performer starts to get a bit older? Where do all those people go? It’s not just something that affects artists in the alt world, it’s a part of life generally for those who put themselves in the spotlight. The conundrum can often be how to stay in the industry that you love so much.
“I’ve pretty much phased out the modelling now, there are so many young girls that are coming in now that are hungry and are working a lot harder than I am. Obviously running my own business with Dis-Grace is taking up a lot of my time. I only run my patreon really for my modelling and other projects on the side that I find creatively satisfying. I think modelling does have a shelf life but only if you keep doing the same thing over and over. If you keep doing different crazy stuff then you’re never going to run out. I would like to guide other girls and the performance side is better for me now.”
> Gary Trueman
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