The Candy Gram: Selia Carmichael

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop us a line at kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello to Selia Carmichael

What is your hometown?
Smallsville, NC, but family is more properly from the Carpathian Mountains along the Ukraine and Slovakia.

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
Hmmmm, since I used to do 'shadow-dancing' using a nightlight as I was supposed to be going to sleep as a tweenie. This, of course, was after seeing clips of Gypsy Rose Lee and watching Marilyn Monroe when I would sneak out of bed and peek around the corner into the den as the grown-ups would be socializing.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
About 10 or 15. I tend to get comfortable with my faves, but they don't always play out with a particular show or costume.

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
I did a Psycho skit to the Beatle's Oh Darling and I felt amazing performing to that. I also like Esquivel's Mucha Muchacha. It's very, very fun and a fun costume. Honey Rock by Barney Kessel is also one of my faves as well, it's so silly and cute!

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
Fishnets, but that may be more of a personal fetish thing! Shoes, again, fetish, but also very functional. And bobby-pins. They can be used for anything.

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
I have to say my friends. They are all so fabulously supportive and have helped my progress enormously.

Who is your favorite burly queen?
I'm not a 'favorite' picking type of gal, but Gypsy Rose Lee is phenomenal.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
Depends what I'm doing. If I'm showing off, I really like binding items. It just really feels sexy to me! Otherwise, I can't do without my comfy clothes. You will see me in sweats, yoga pants, terry shorts, jeans, leggings and the like all of the time. Hope that doesn't ruin my image.

What's the last movie you saw?
Well, I found some great movies cheap cheap cheap, in a bin. I picked up John Hurston's Moulin Rouge, Dames with Dick Powel and Rubey Keeler and On the Town with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra.

What's on your must-see-TV list?
I'm pretty much a nerd. I don't watch TV, only when I'm on the road in a hotel, and then I get addicted to the embarrassing shows that come on MTV and VH1. Oh, I'm so ashamed!

What book is on your nightstand?
The Sound of One Hand Clapping by Richard Flanagan, a novel which "chronicles the insidious effects of war...[and] how the fragmented can be made whole again." Told you I'm kind of a nerd.

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
Well, I'm in love with California so I go there any chance I get, though I cry when I leave. Other than that, Greece just for the laid-back factor and to Eastern Europe, to check out my lineage.

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
I've never thought about this. I guess I would make time freeze sometimes, some moments are incredible too short!

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams: Pyra Sutra, Roxi Dlite, Scarlet O'Gasm, Bombshell Betty, Foxy Moxy, Bambi Galore, Mis Rosie Bitts, Sahara Dunes, Mimi Rockafellar, Baby Le Strange, Rose Darling, Satan's Angel, Ophelia Flame, Panache La Plume, Ginger Valentine, Madame Rosebud, Little Brooklyn, Victoria Veneance, Sauci Calla Horra, Penny Starr Jr., Gemma Parker, Darla DeVine, Sparkly Devil, Vivienne VaVoom, Lux LaCroix, Charlotte La Belle Araignee, Bunny Love, Amber Topaz, Amelie Soleil, Red Hot Annie, HoneyLu, Kimberlee Rose, Vicky Butterfly, Dominique Immora, Yasmine Vine, Cherry Bomb, Millie Dollar, Joanie Gyoza, Bonbon Vivant, Lola Martinet, Frankie Boudoir, Vixen Violette, Ravenna Black, Veronica Lashe, Amber Ray, Beatrix von Bourbon, Angie Pontani, Tanya Cheex, Bloody Belle, Clams Casino, Trixie Little, Michelle L'Amour, Margaret Cho, Miss Dirty Martini, Princess Farhana, Miss Delirium Tremens, Paris Green, Jo Boobs, Jack Midnight, Heidi Von Haught, Diamond Minx, The Titillation Twins, Scratch, Creamy Stevens and Gina Louise.