Jun 10, 2020
I met MISSA BLUE after one of her hypnotic burlesque shows, a political, challenging and riveting performance history of the Black Panthers. Missa Blue is a well known variety performer who has gained international recognition through her highly skilled sword swallowing shows and for being one of the very few woman in the world who are still actively practicing this ancient art form. In 2016 she survived a life threatening accident on stage. This has pushed her to become an activist for Performers of Colour in international show business. She has since been called a role model for her fight against racism and for more visibility of black female performers in the industry.
In this episode, I talked to Missa about growing up as a young black girl by white German parents, losing her mother at a young age, battling her father's alcoholism, her struggles with anorexia, and how performance art has brought her healing and restored her power and identity.
Missa talks about the challenges faced by artists of color and how she is building an international coalition to support persons of color in the arts: “It’s really important that people see that a black woman can do this, and that there are other people of color who do incredible things.”
Missablue.net
Instagram: @missablue
Excerpts from Missa's Ted Talk were also included in this episode. The full talk can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQMxh-oaAOM