| |  Emanuela Calcara
I began dancing when I was three years old, and at age of ten, I started my ballet education at La Scala, Italy's Premier Opera House. After my sixteenth birthday, I trained with the Bolshoi Academy in Russia for three months. I returned to Milan where my dance roots began at L.A. Scala Academy and I performed there for three years on the main stage. After getting seriously injured I had to stop dancing for a very long time. I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a dance career and found a home at the Velvet Hammer in 2003. I traveled back and forth touring Europe in several dance & burlesque shows. These venues include “Flash Monkey Cabaret” in London, “Viva Las Vegas” in Switzerland produced by Voodoo Rhythm Records, and the most prestigious “Moulin Rouge” in Paris, France. The Los Angeles stages shows
Included “Taking the Jesus Pill” at King- King, Lolita’s La Vey's Cabaret, Miss Kitty's Parlor at Dragonfly and a go-go dancer for the band Lords of Altamont. My first self produced production was “Tragic Cabaret” at the McCadden Place Theater and Zen Sushi, Cabaret DesVampry and Vintage Vamps quoted and reviewed by the LA Weekly. This whole time have been working at Jumbo’s Clown Room, the very place where was introduced to pole dancing. Since then, I’ve been admiring and working on moves and floating on a pole for two years.
|  Lizzy Wolf
It's funny to look back and remember how nervous I was to simply climb the pole in front of a crowd. How new I was to this odd type of dancing in which we wrestle around with a brass pole (or stainless steel if I count the one I keep in my kitchen). But dance it was, none-the-less, and I had a short-lived history of ballet in my past. I had adored ballet classes, the steadiness and grace behind the moves. Now that I am what you would call a professional in the pole dancing field, I seem to be using these qualities all over again. I couldn't express through words how I feel to throw myself into a song, and to wrap myself around this silent dance partner of a pole. I know I am a success in my dancing, and I am thrilled to the core to be able to compete for the grand title of 'The Best.' I am happy and grateful for my dedication in pole dancing, and I see a long future ahead of me involving this magnificent art form.
|  *Shivonn Ross a.k.a. “Saucy”
Shivonn was born half black and half filipino, she was raised in Long Beach, California and currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona. Shivonn has been pole dancing for 2 years and enjoys every minute of it. She started dancing in Atlanta, GA, home of the beautiful bodied women. Since then she has traveled to New York, Miami, Houston and Phoenix.
Shivonn has won numerous amateur contests through out her pole dancing career and has also won various competitions in Phoenix, AZ. She placed 2nd in the Pole-Olympics in 2007 and won in 2008. She also won the Southwest Pole Championship in 2008.
Shivonn has years of training in gymnastics. With this extensive background under her belt, pole dancing came naturally to her. She loves the artistry of pole dancing and is thrilled that she can be apart of bringing into the mainstream, breaking down barriers and the stereo types that society has placed on it. *Pole Star 2008 Winner! |  Swan Wouland
Hello There, My name is Swan (and yes, it’s my real name). I’m 23 years young and I’m from Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. Growing up I’ve always been active in sports such as gymnastics and dancing including ballet, jazz, and hip-hop. So when I started pole dancing it came real natural to me. I’ve been pole dancing for two years now , It’s something I really enjoy doing and it keeps me in good shape as well. I personally trained myself, by simply trusting my body on the pole and applying my dancing skills. Now I’m ready to put my skills to the test. Competing in this contest will show me if I have what it takes to be Miss Pole Star 2008.
|  Fonta Basnett aka Blue
Blue was born and raised in Lawton Oklahoma and moved out to Los Angeles in 1996 to continue her interests in acting and theatre but ended up a bass player in a rock band. She needed a job that would give her the time she needed for the band but could still make money and ended up dancing at Jumbo’s Clown Room in 1997. Coming from a dance and gymnastics's background as a child, pole dancing became second nature to her. Blue claims that the pole is her dance partner, that it is 'there for you, (to) keep you stabilized. The power of the pole is amazing and the gravity it holds is very strong. "I feel I have become that gymnast, dancer and acrobat I could have been as a child but I also have the added power of seduction.” At 35 yrs old, Blue is now teaching pole dancing and is in training for Pole Star Invitational. She also has a great passion for the healing arts, nutrition and the body/mind connection. Blue's goal is to inspire women to learn these ideals and along with pole dancing not only to get in shape but also help them become comfortable with their own bodies and sensuality.
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|  Natalie Clark
27-year-old Natalie Clark has long been a fan of exotic performance art, since the young age of eight. A Southern California native, Natalie has traveled to various cities throughout the United States to perform on a variety of stages. She has also competed in a multitude of mini competitions (sometimes winning, sometimes not), which has taught her more and more about the industry she loves.
Natalie has danced in films, videos and on television. She was the featured dancer on the WB’s “We be Clubbin”, playboy channels “Night Calls”, comedy centrals “Reality Bites” and the documentary, “In a Strippers Life” she will also be appearing in the new feature film “Choke”
In 2006, the business world beckoned and Natalie heeded the call. A self-taught entrepreneur and small businessperson, she became owner-operator of two thriving retail outlets with a combined staff of fifteen employees and a large loyal customer base that continues to grow everyday.
|  Trinita Turner
I'm from Temple Hills Maryland. Studied fashion design in Atlanta, Georgia. I've danced and modeled in music videos since 99'. I've done a lot of independent movies. Such as: 'The Naked Truth'- lead role. Most recent movie: 'Kickin it with the Bois'-supporting lead. I've started pole dancing in Atlanta, Georgia. I have taught myself by watching others then made it my own. It's not as hard as everybody think it is. As long as you put your mind, body and soul into it you will never fail. |  Lily Leo, a.k.a "Isis" Born in Northern California, I$I$ moved to Los Angeles in 2002 and has been working as a dancer ever since. 28 now, she has performed at several clubs nd is currently working at Jumbo's Clown Room. I$I$ is and artist above all else and uses many different media to create her artwork including painting, design and dance. She derives her dancing style from ballet and jazz dance incorporated witha Fosse inspired theatrical finesse. I$I$ is self taught, proficient and an experienced pole dancer. She enjoys the artistic expression and challenge of pole dancing and has a unique style all her own. |
| |  Laura Martin
Currently residing in Carlsbad, California, native of Kansas City, Missouri, Laura Martin is unfolding her dream of aiding in the transformation of pole dancing from the underground to an unobjectionable art. A passionate performer, Laura has astonished audiences since 2000. Testing her physical limits through multiple disciplines such as martial arts, swimming, yoga, running, and over all core and strength training.
Now teaching in north county San Diego, she continues to inspire lives through pole dancing as well as boxing. Performing her art at major events such as Future Ape - Orange County, CA - Aug 2007, Wonder Tonic - San Marcos, CA - June 2007, as well as a variety of appearances with a Los Angeles based circus, Lucent Dossier. |
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Contestants 