Meet Shayla:

Ten years ago, I nervously (but very excitedly!) walked into my very first burlesque class in London. I had no idea in that moment how profoundly it would change my life.

Burlesque opened a door I didn’t even know I needed. I discovered the magic of vintage glamour - the feathers, the gloves, the sparkle - but more importantly, I discovered sisterhood. I found a space where every body, of every shape, size and age, was celebrated. In a world that constantly tells women to shrink, fix, smooth or apologise for themselves, burlesque felt revolutionary. The beauty industry profits from our insecurities - but burlesque? Burlesque defies them. Even in its roots, it has always been a political statement: bold, subversive, and unapologetically feminine.

When I first stepped on stage with a troupe of women and truly revelled in loving my body exactly as it is, something shifted forever. That’s when my stage persona - Petit Pois - was born.

As Petit Pois, I’ve performed all over the UK and internationally in Italy, Germany and as far as New Orleans. I’ve had the honour of becoming a multi-award-winning performer, appearing in some of the UK’s top burlesque competitions. I was a finalist for the “Legend in the Making” award at the renowned Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival, won 1st place at Burlesque Idol Heat (and became a Grand Finalist), and was crowned Grand Champion of the “It’s Dazzle Time” competition.

I’ve performed everywhere from glamorous casinos and theatres to intimate cocktail bars, clubs, restaurant dinner shows - I’ve even performed burlesque life drawing and stepped into a wrestling ring! I love the variety and theatricality of this art form. It’s limitless.

But as much as I adore performing, teaching holds a very special place in my heart.

I returned to the London school where my journey began - one of the city’s leading burlesque schools - and spent years guiding women from all walks of life. Week after week, I would meet women who arrived nervous, unsure, sometimes hiding at the back of the room. Eight weeks later, I would watch them step onto a stage in front of a live audience, radiating confidence they didn’t know they possessed. It moves me every single time.

I’ve now taught hundreds of women. One particularly magical moment was teaching at Soul Circus Festival, where participants joined me for a two-hour workshop and then performed live on stage to 500 people - earning a standing ovation. Seeing that transformation unfold is indescribable.

What most people don’t realise is that burlesque isn’t about “being sexy” for someone else. It’s about self-expression. It’s about reclaiming your body. It’s about playfulness, power and permission. Watching women step into their divine feminine energy - in their own unique way - is why I love teaching so deeply.

A few years ago, alongside my circus-performing brother, I co-created a variety show called Cabaret Provocateur bringing Burlesque, Drag and Circus to our suburban hometown in Surrey featuring the UK's top performers and showcase world-class entertainment. We honestly didn’t know how it would be received as there's nothing like it round here - but the response was overwhelming. For two years, when people saw I taught Burlesque women kept telling me the same thing: “I’d love to do this… but London is too far, too expensive, too inconvenient.”

So I made it my mission to change that. That’s how Surrey Burlesque School was born.

My goal is to make burlesque accessible, local and affordable - especially for women living outside the city. Today, I run pop-up burlesque classes across Surrey, including taster sessions and burlesque dance fitness classes. We explore classic costume pieces - boas, gloves, hats, fans and more - and most importantly, we build confidence, community and joy.

Burlesque changed my life. It gave me confidence, creativity, community and a career I adore. Now I get to pass that gift on.

And that? That’s the real magic.