Burlesque Dancer Fired For Being Too Curvy

A New Orleans burlesque club's decision to fire one of its more voluptuous dancers, Ruby Rage, has brought a fire storm of reaction.

Last fall, Lucky Pierre's, 753 Bourbon St., told the producer of its main burlesque show that Ruby Rage was too curvy for its new approach, according to The Guardian.

Producer Bella Blue initially stood by her choice to include Ruby Rage due to her artistic contributions to the Blue Book Cabaret but eventually had to let her go when the club insisted, The Guardian reported.

The spurned dancer got in touch with 21st Century Burlesque and told what happened in her own words, published in a Feb. 21 post:

"I have been working at Lucky Pierre's for around a year. About three weeks ago I stopped seeing my name on the schedule, so naturally I asked about this because I thought it was a technical error with my phone/computer on my end.

"I finally had the chance to speak with Bella Blue, and she told me that upper management didn't think that my body type fit in with the burlesque show...."

Lucky Pierre's at first denied the allegations, according to the New York Daily News. The club's initial response on Facebook has apparently been deleted.

The only show listed Tuesday on the club's program schedule for this week was The Real Drag Queens of New Orleans.

After going public with her experience, Ruby told 21st Century Burlesque she's convinced the issue is widespread.

"It doesn't just happen to me but so many more amazing performers down here in New Orleans, and since I made my post public I have had many other full figured women come to me from across the country to tell me that they are body shamed as well. This isn't right."