Discovering new voices within the local creative scene is one of the most rewarding parts of covering Derbyshire’s independent art…
By K Futur LOCALNottingham has produced many fierce creatives, but few command a room quite like Profanity PinUp. A standout performer in the UK’s evolving burlesque landscape, she blends classic pin-up aesthetics with a fearless, modern attitude that refuses to apologise for taking up space. Seen recently at the Bad Flower Burlesque Revue, she is part of a new wave of artists reshaping what tease, empowerment and performance can look like in Britain today. For Profanity, it all began in her home city. “Nottingham and its scene is the reason I started Burlesque,” she explains. It was a lockdown moment, an impulsive decision after seeing a recruitment post from The Poison Ivies, the Nottingham-based neo-burlesque troupe that would become her creative family. “I decided to stop watching reruns of Say Yes To The Dress, stop making banana bread and ‘f*ck it why not’ apply. I’ve never looked back.” The Ivies provided a safe space to explore, experiment and eventually step out as a soloist, shaping the confidence and grit that have become her signature. “Without them giving me the safe space to perform as a soloist and make connections with producers, I would not be doing what I’m doing now.”
Today she performs across the UK and Europe, proudly rooted in Nottingham but leaving her mark far beyond it. Her first international booking at The Mal-Tease Burlesque Festival remains a defining moment. “It was my first year as a solo performer, so I very much felt like it was a sink or swim year. To be booked from applicants all over the world, not just within the UK, was a very ‘pinch me’ moment.” For an artist whose work radiates confidence, she is refreshingly honest about the challenges. Imposter syndrome, unrealistic expectations and the pressure to measure up to those with traditional dance backgrounds have all played their part. “Sometimes you need to remember that the person you’re comparing yourself to might have been in dance classes since they were five,” she says. “I’m 37. I might be able to clean up my movement but I’m never going to move like an ex-ballerina because I’m not one.” And that, she notes, is exactly the point. Profanity PinUp’s appeal lies in authenticity, ownership and the refusal to pretend. “I like to think of myself as the Pin Up ….. with POW,” she laughs. “There’s no eyelash fluttering or being coy here.”
Her influences are a clever blend of nostalgia and sheer attitude. She grew up on classic films like Singing in the Rain and Calamity Jane, drawn to “people parading themselves in the most incredible costumes you’ve ever seen.” Later, as a pole instructor, she found empowerment in movement. Burlesque fused everything she loved: costume, spectacle, sensuality and self-expression. Then there’s Elvis. Not only a creative inspiration but the reason behind her now-iconic black jumpsuit act, born as a tribute to her mum. “It’s worked a treat,” she laughs. Her current repertoire is bold, theatrical and packed with emotional punch, including her dramatic Medusa routine and her latest creation, Witchy Business. The new act combines autumnal glamour with witchy attitude, though its future lies beyond the spooky season. “The aim is to create an all-year-round version. Lose the witches hat, find a new track and let the gorgeous dress get some stage time throughout the year.”
Looking ahead to 2026, she’s planning what she calls a “reset,” upgrading costumes, refining movement and drilling routines until they’re seamless. “2026 will be the year I get less performance videos back where small moments of each routine don’t give me the ick,” she says with her trademark humour. Ultimately, Profanity PinUp performs with purpose. She wants her audience to feel something deep, powerful and liberating. “I hope they feel empowered,” she says. “Maybe it was refreshing to see a body type you identify with on a stage. Maybe you understand how or why I’m so angry in my Medusa routine. Ultimately, I hope people leave with some ‘F*ck yeah! I can do the thing / say the thing / feel the thing …’ in their chest.”
Authenticity sits at the heart of her artistry. “My favourite thing in an artist is my favourite thing in people generally. Authenticity. It shines brighter than anything else.” She doesn’t chase trends or mould herself into a niche for the sake of it. She performs to songs that “set my soul on fire,” bringing raw connection to every stage she steps onto. It’s this honesty, this energy, this unfiltered combination of glamour and grit, that makes Profanity PinUp one of the most compelling burlesque performers in the UK right now. And yes – she really does sign off her emails with: “Thanks, Curves & Curse Words, Profanity x.”
You can follow her journey, upcoming gigs and beautifully shot performance stills over on Instagram at @profanitypinup. There’s one more show left before the end of the year at Lace & Lashes in Bristol, but 2026 announcements are on the horizon. Expect sparkle. Expect attitude. Expect POW.
