Embodying the Video Vixen on Our Own Terms
& upcoming offerings in LA & Puerto Rico
During the late 90s/early 2000s, the video vixen captured our attention. She strutted out of the sea with water dripping down her body, she oozed sensuality shamelessly, she emanated confidence and radiance in “exotic” locations. (Read: the word exotic is in quotations because it centers the gaze of colonization and thus it’s a word that I myself have intentionally minimized or eliminated from my vocabulary).
We were drawn to this modern iteration of the sex siren that appeared in music videos, while simultaneously growing more aware of the indications of the male gaze as a society.
Where she was primarily put on a pedestal, the video vixen became simultaneously villainized the more the industry equated her with sex work and the more saturated the market became with young models eager for their moment to shine (check out this sociological deep dive by Khadija Mbowe). As time progressed, these women came out with their stories, Karinne Stefans amongst them, sharing about this journey that was unfortunately drenched in shadow & abuse at the hands of patriarchy.
The video vixen was one of my personal inspirations for diving head first into the world of modeling at the age of 14. I saw myself in these women and longed to be part of that seemingly glamorous world of travel and what appeared to be sexual autonomy.
Just as the vixens themselves later revealed amongst other things, the reality of these shoots and that life, proved to be different. When I began working as a fashion model, I immediately noticed the disconnect between the experience of modeling in often uncomfortable physical circumstances, impossible expectations, and treatment as if I was interchangeable/disposable- and the finished art.
When I auditioned and was a finalist to be featured in the infamous, “Blurred Lines” music video by Robin Thicke & Pharrell, it was a major turning point for me. In part because it was Robin Thicke’s music videos “Sex Therapy” and “Wanna Love You Girl” that were two of my absolute favorites as I drooled at the tv screen. It sunk in how empty the pursuit of acceptance by the gatekeepers truly was. I wanted a role in that video so badly and then look at what a train wreck the message of that song was! (more about my experience in this podcast episode).
This experience marked the end of my active desire to participate in the modeling industry and inspired me to go on a path to be the embodied artist I desired to be most- the artist you see before you- autonomous and authentically expressed. I answer to no one, fund my own art (it’s expensive but worth it for full control and I’m exploring ways for aligned financial support through my own biz and other endeavors) , and keep challenging myself to burst through limitations to new levels of self expression. And that feels FAR more rewarding than anything I accomplished when I was an agency signed model. Especially since I experienced some truly shady situations financially with tens of thousands of dollars I was owed never making it to my bank account over the course of my career.🤬
Over this last decade plus, since I stopped modeling in an official way, I’ve devoted myself to creating authentic, honest, embodied, Pussy Empowered art.
Some of it is still definitely inspired by those early visions of the video vixen. However, today I take the agency and the power back on my own terms and invite all my collaborators and clients to do the same.
I’ve gotten to live out these early fantasies in my music videos and choreography videos and creating together in community has been so deeply rewarding, healing and fun! Together we have explored new frontiers of our expression and felt empowered before, during & after.
Truly, thats no small feat and I’m proud to be experiencing this realm of creative possibility that is by no means the default.
I’ve been inspired to create full blown experiences of embodiment and expression out of these lived experiences via my Pussy Empowered™ Video Vixen Class Series and Video Vixen Retreat. Both of which are on the horizon. Both culminating in a music video shoot!
It is an honor to support each participant in creating art out of their own embodied expression that feels true to them and making something tangible and powerful together. Art that makes us feel alive as we create it and inspires us every time we rewatch it.
Upcoming in LA:
OCTOBER: Video Vixen Series: 8 week class at the Haus of Ghetto Stiletto Alhambra culminating in a music video shoot set in a palatial video set, think sexy Bridgerton! Styled by Señora Calzones! Learn More
OCTOBER: Performance Class: Caliente Edition: 8 week class series in San Pedro culminating in a group performance at a local venue in San Pedro! Set to reggaeton & other Latin music. Exploring themes of sexuality as it pertains to Latinidad & active decolonization. Learn More
Puerto Rico Retreat April 2025:
6 days, 5 nights of embodied exploration on the beaches of Puerto Rico culminating in a music video shoot. Learn More
See the last video we made: “I Am Who I Am” alongside more videos I’ve Directed & performed in.