The Chippendales curse: A jinx or just coincidence?

Chippendales is a male revue show that has gained immense popularity throughout the world. Known for its seductive dance routines and attractive cast members, the show has attracted millions of adoring fans. However, there seems to be a curse that follows some of the Chippendales cast members. Over the years, several Chippendales dancers have experienced various misfortunes and tragedies, leading some to believe in a curse. **One of the most well-known examples is the case of Nick DeNoia, the owner and choreographer of Chippendales**. In 1987, DeNoia was shot and killed in his New York office, allegedly by a hitman hired by a former business partner.

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Co-showrunners Jenni Konner and Robert Siegel working with top-shelf directors such as Late Night s Nisha Ganatra, WandaVision s Matt Shakman, and Gwyneth Horder-Payton Pose as well as writers including playwright Rajiv Joseph, Annie Julia Wyman The Chair , Jacqui Rivera The Get Down , and Mehar Sethi BoJack Horseman smooth the transition by maintaining a quick pace and a lively tone. For those who didn t live through that era or catch one of two recent documentary series discovery s Curse of the Chippendales and A E s Secrets of the Chippendales Murders or the acclaimed podcast on the pioneering all-male strip club for women, the story begins with Somen Banerjee.

In 1987, DeNoia was shot and killed in his New York office, allegedly by a hitman hired by a former business partner. This incident shed light on the dark side of the Chippendales business and raised questions about the curse. Another case that adds to the curse theory is the story of Chippendales dancer Kevin Denney.

Curse of The Chippendales explores the gender dynamics of stripping in the 1980s

A new true crime documentary about the rise of the all-male strip show falls into the usual glamourising pitfalls of the genre, but offers a fascinating look at the commodification of men’s bodies.

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• Reviewed from BFI London Film Festival 2021

As a true-crime documentary, Curse of The Chippendales has it all. An all-male dance troupe famed for erotic strip shows rising from a modest-sized LA nightclub to international acclaim. The promise of sex and a glitzy sprinkle of celebrity. And ambitious, ego-driven men striving for ownership of the brand who inevitably, and tragically, destroy one another. Featuring interviews with major figures from the 70s and 80s, including dancers Michael Rapp and Roger Menache, Rapp’s wife Nancy Dineen, model and Chippendales fan Sondra Theodor, as well as club MC Richard Barsh, it offers fascinating insights into the setting up of the brand and its growing popularity, alongside the more lurid crime elements of the story. Indeed, the history of the Chippendales – established by Indian-American club owner Steve Banerjee and promoter Paul Snider – is fascinating in its own right as a story about the mainstreaming and gender dynamics of stripping in the 1980s.

The series (the first two episodes were shown at LFF ) is as slick as baby oil in constructing its narrative, hitting the major beats of the true crime genre (the distressed audio of a 911 call giving way to the easy-breezy archive footage of a simpler time; talking heads’ interviews that hint at but never quite reveal the trouble to come) soundtracked by synth-drum pop classics from the era. And it’s not just the music that evokes 70s and 80s aesthetics, for the show relies heavily on the retro charms of analogue media. Freeze frames deploy static as if you’ve pressed pause on a VHS ; major players in the Chippendale story are introduced like sitcom characters in split-screen credit sequences. There is disco, flirting and casual sex. This is not a series that makes the past seem like a far-off place lacking in colour. Rather, it glamourises the period by leaning in to nostalgia and making its subjects seem more free and flamboyant than in our pandemic-restricted times. From the dancers to the Playboy models, everyone is beautiful and living life in high-contrast.

A child of the 80s, I have vague recollections of the Chippendales appearing on daytime television and being widely discussed in the press, but it’s not until watching The Curse of the Chippendales that the scale and ubiquity of their presence in mainstream media at the time becomes apparent. In archive broadcast and video footage showing vast crowds of women fans, it seems like The Chippendales were everywhere. Talk-show hosts invite casual conversations with audience members about male strippers and women’s pleasure; sex, desire and objectification of the male body are a given. It’s a strictly cisheteronormative affair, focusing exclusively on straight women fans, and the documentary could be more considerate of queer desire in its framing of the Chippendales’ cultural impact. Nevertheless, it’s fascinating to see how mainstream representations of sex and sex work have transformed over the past four decades.

Compared to the more fraught discussions we have today about desire and sexuality – which, if at times stilted, are underpinned by legitimate anxieties about power and consent – the footage presented in the documentary is wildly different. In keeping with what we might call ‘girl boss feminism,’ women grab, sigh, scream and touch men’s bodies because they’ve paid for the right to do it, and, as many people reiterate throughout the show, it’s high time women got theirs given the acceptance of men’s right to visit strip clubs and to purchase porn. The Chippendales themselves enjoy the attention, too – or at least that’s what Rapp, Menache and others suggest in the first two episodes. There are hints of darker times to come and a sense of the men being intimidated by their adoring fans. But for now, without seeing the rest of the series, it seems that the show eschews judgemental anti-sex-work arguments and gives the stars space to talk openly about the positive, as well as more challenging, aspects of their work.

As with all true-crime documentaries, The Curse of the Chippendales risks glamourising the more tragic and violent elements of the story in its attempts to scandalise viewers. Despite Sondra Theodore’s obvious distress, for example, episode two’s treatment of model Dorothy Stratten’s murder lacks humanity: her death becomes just another beat in the narrative. Where the show works is in its unexpectedly sweet moments (such as Rapp doing an impromptu performance of his ‘Perfect Man’ routine) and its cultural critique. At its best, it peels back the layers of hypocrisy that go hand-in-hand with the commodification of both men’s bodies and sex work in mainstream media – and after those first two episodes, it leaves you, in true Chippendales style, wanting more.

But the true-crime elements, from desperate characters to bursts of violence, are present in the story from the beginning. By midway through the eight-episode season, tensions between the arrogant, overbearing Nick and his insecure boss, whose temper flares up in the face of perceived humiliation, have mounted to dangerous levels. And the show becomes something darker and sadder than those who go in cold to Chippendales might expect after an episode that finds Irene exclaiming “I love cocaine!” with white powder all over her nose when Denise coaxes her into trying the drug on a wild night out.

**Denney was a rising star in the Chippendales show**, loved by fans for his good looks and charming personality. However, his life took a tragic turn when he got involved in a murder-for-hire plot. Denney was arrested and convicted for his role in the murder of his girlfriend's estranged husband. This shocking event left many wondering if there was indeed a curse affecting the Chippendales cast members. While these are just a couple of examples, there have been other instances of Chippendales dancers facing tragedy or misfortune. **These incidents have fueled the belief that the Chippendales curse is real**. Many speculate about the reasons behind the curse, with some attributing it to the high-pressure environment of the show, while others suggest that it may be a result of the dark underbelly of the adult entertainment industry. However, it is important to note that not all Chippendales dancers have experienced such negative outcomes. Many have gone on to successful careers in entertainment or other fields. **The curse may simply be a series of unfortunate events that have happened to a few individuals, rather than something affecting all cast members**. The Chippendales curse remains a topic of debate and speculation, with supporters and skeptics each having their own interpretations. Whether there is a curse or not, it is undeniable that the show continues to captivate audiences around the world with its unique brand of entertainment..

Reviews for "Conflicting theories: Debunking and investigating the Chippendales curse"

1. Jennifer - 2 stars

I recently went to a Chippendales show and was really disappointed with the curse cast members. They seemed rude and disinterested in engaging with the audience. Their energy was low, and it felt like they were just going through the motions. It was not the fun and exciting experience I was expecting. I wouldn't recommend attending a show if these curse cast members are performing.

2. Peter - 1 star

I attended a Chippendales show and was left underwhelmed by the curse cast members' performances. Their dance routines seemed sloppy and uncoordinated. It was clear that they lacked the necessary training and skill to deliver an impressive show. Additionally, their stage presence was lacking, leaving the overall performance feeling lackluster. I was expecting a memorable experience, but unfortunately, the curse cast members fell short.

3. Samantha - 2 stars

I attended a Chippendales show with a group of friends, and we were all disappointed by the curse cast members. Their choreography was generic and lacked originality. It felt like we had seen the same moves before in other dance shows. Furthermore, their interactions with the audience were minimal, leaving us feeling disconnected from the performance. Overall, I was expecting a more captivating and dynamic show, and the curse cast members failed to deliver.

4. Mark - 2 stars

I recently attended a Chippendales show, and I have to say, the curse cast members were quite forgettable. Their performances lacked charisma and didn't leave a lasting impression. It felt like they were just going through the motions without any passion or enthusiasm. I expected more from a renowned show like Chippendales, and the curse cast members failed to meet my expectations. I wouldn't recommend attending a show if you're looking for an exciting and memorable experience.

Unexplained tragedies: The enigma of the Chippendales curse