The Last Real Showgirl
by Diane Christiansen
Explore the glamour and allure of a real showgirl from the 1970s through the pages of this captivating book.
About The Book
My Sequined ’70s Onstage
The Last Real Showgirl
During the 1970s, showgirls represented the pinnacle of club and resort entertainment. In the modern age, very few shows left in Las Vegas, the resorts, or Paris feature showgirls at all. This memoir presents in her own words the life of Diane Christiansen, the last real showgirl.
As a teenager, desperate to get out of Illinois and into the glittering world of professional dance, Diane visits Montreal and discovers the electrifying world of French Cabaret. This kicks off a chain of events which finds her,
before long, in Paris, dancing with a giant Seahorse on her head at the world-renowned Lido de Paris. From opium dens in Paris to comedy clubs in the Bahamas, the arc of Diane’s dazzling career spans the globe, all before she is 28.
This insider perspective on the industry presents the singular life of the last real showgirl, while also capturing the swan song of a thrilling era in stage entertainment.
What People Are Saying
“Funny, honest, thoughtful, and heartwarming ... There is something for everyone ... This is unlike any story I’ve read. Despite how well I thought I knew this remarkable woman, I learned so much through these pages. It kept me laughing, feeling understood, and inspired”
- Barrett D. Carroll, author of The Acorn’s Journey
“[A] phenomenal story ... a behind-the-scenes narrative and deep dive into a world we can only dream of having. Diane did more than dream her colorful life. She lived it.”
— Stacey Powells, author of Empty Cupboards
“A must-read...captivates from start to finish. ...a compelling literary work that resonates with readers long after the final page is turned.”
— Lou Anne Chessik,
Showgirl Legacy Foundation founder, president & showgirl
“Diane takes us with her on a sexy glamorous ‘Gypsy’ dancer journey into a behind the scenes look at a tits and feathers world few have the joyous, outrageous privilege of experiencing! Enjoy the ride!”
—Heidi Bright, showgirl, producer, screenwriter
About the Author
Diane Christiansen’s career has spanned 5 decades as an actress, dancer, author, director, producer, writer, costume designer, mother, grandmother, and studio owner. She’s acting coach to Oscar nominees, Emmy Award winners, numerous Disney Channel stars and some of Hollywood’s hottest talent. She has mastered the multi hyphenate ushering her to success in Tinsel Town.
Christiansen is the published author of “Scenes for Teens, By Teens”, a compilation of scenes written by working Hollywood teen actors. She has been nominated and won the coveted honor of “Number 1 Acting Coach in Hollywood” two years in a row by Backstage West Readers’ Choice awards. Rated the “#1 Coach in Hollywood” 9 years running by Children in Film, named ‘Top 10 Acting Schools in Hollywood’ by Bonnie Wallace, author, and Mother to Dove Cameron in her new book. Diane has been an acting coach on TLC’s TV show ‘Faking It’ and Danny Bonaduce’s ‘My Kid’s a Star’. She’s been a guest director at California Institute of the Arts and 1st place recipient of the ‘Mercy Award’ for its original play festival in Santa Monica, CA for her work as a director.
Christiansen coaches many acclaimed actors on TV shows like Euphoria, This is Us, Dickinson, Stranger Things, Sandman, Quantum Leap and countless other well-known and popular television shows and movies.
She is also Mother to content creator Maximilian Christiansen (AKA Maximilian_Dood on YouTube) and Tess Christiansen, actress, model & Diane’s business partner at The Christiansen Acting Academy. Diane has two granddaughters who also reside in Los Angeles.