I finished high school and became a stripper

Breanna was raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania in a moderately religious household. She attended a high school which frequents Newsweek’s list of America’s Top High Schools and dreamed of someday becoming an actress. But like most people, she grew up and out of the familiarities and desires of her upbringing.

In a lot of ways, Breanna is your typical 21-year-old. She listens to rap and watches W.A.G.S. on E!. She loves to dance – off stage – and hopes to get married someday.

But in more obvious ways, she is not. Breanna makes an average of $100,000 a year, she has been in a Trey Songz music video, auditioned for the T.V. show Bad Girls Club, went to rapper Future’s birthday party, has the freedom and finances to travel to and when she wants, and what a typical college student might spend on textbooks, Breanna spends on her stunning collection of name brand handbags.

Breanna is an exotic dancer known as ‘Chanel’.

Breanna in the locker room before a set

How old were you when you started dancing?  

I was 18 – it was the summer after I graduated high school. I had already started buying dancer clothes even though I had nowhere to wear them so I used some as bathing suits. One day my ex was at work so I called and told him I was going to audition at my first club just to see if I got hired.

 

Did you always want to dance?  

I’ve always joked around about dancing in high school but never knew I was actually going to.

Where have you danced?

The first place was a gross club but I’ve also worked in high-class gentlemen’s clubs and cabarets.

Breanna ‘stripping’ with friends on the subway

Did you have to audition?

Clubs make you audition 99 percent of the time. My first audition I was so nervous I tripped walking up the stage – I wasn’t use to dancer heels. When they asked my name the first thing that came out of my mouth was Aquarius – I am an Aquarius. I danced to two songs, sweating the whole time. Most have you dance to three but one club made me audition to five.

How did you feel the first time you were on stage?

It was nerve-racking. I’ve always been a good dancer, but had no pole experience. After about three times on stage it’s like dancing in your room.

Chanel wearing dancer attire

How do you feel about private dances?

Private dances are where the money’s at. Lap dances are decent too. A lot of people have misinterpreted what happens in those rooms. Not every girl “does extras” and the older generation is a big one on that.

Do you ever run into someone you know while at work?

I’ve seen people I know because I’m very public about it. Although, if there is someone in the club I don’t want to see, most places will hide you, keep you off stage or even have them kicked out of the club.

Do your parents know?

I told them, but I didn’t really like it the first time, so they thought it was a phase. Then I started at a new place and told them I was a shot-girl. One night they came in to buy drinks off me and thank God I wasn’t on stage, but they saw me and it was the most horrifying moment of my life. They gave me the option to quit but once you make $1,000 in one night, it’s addicting. You don’t want to give it up for a 9-5.

They were so disappointed in me that they kicked me out and took my car. I wanted to show them I could make it on my own so I ended up getting an apartment with a girl friend and my car back. They still hate what I do and don’t support me financially as long as I am in this industry, nor can I move back home. My relationship with my dad has completely changed but they still love me and want what’s best for me.

Breanna featured in Trey Songz’ music video Everybody Say

What is the worst thing about being a dancer?

How I view men and the way they view me. Porn stars are respected more than a girl dancing around topless. Most guys won’t date a stripper or take me seriously. Having to tell my future husband I was a dancer worries me, but I know whoever I marry will love me no matter what. The worst is married men I know, or people who know my family and want dances from me. It makes me sick because I still have morals but then I realize he’s a scumbag and I take his money for being the filthy pig.

Have you ever been mistreated?  

A large percentage of men think every club is a brothel. I’ve been disrespected by men at work more times I can even count. That’s why it’s important to work at a good club with security guards who care about you and walk you to your car at night. It’s important to remember the girls are competing with each other for money – I’ve even been in a fist fight at work. I’ve had a DJ completely disrespect me along with other girls trying to touch us. I’d turn him down as other girls would and in return he wouldn’t put us on stage and skip our stage sets. I refused to tip him one night, and he threw a cigarette at me. Then he was fired.

Have you ever met anybody famous?                                                          

Miami Heat players like Josh Richardson, football players like Odell Beckham and many rappers.

Breanna pictured with 50 cent at Rumor nightclub in Philadelphia

Would you consider your life glamorous?

Not at all. Although people I grew up with think my life is awesome and are constantly gossiping about me, I still think I’m pretty average and boring.

What do you wish you could change about the industry?

I wish I could enlighten more people on the adult industry as a whole, not just dancing. It’s looked down upon when in fact a sex worker is a real job. I know girls who hit 34, worked hard, saved their money right and are almost set for life without having to work anymore. For myself, it is not a career but while I’m young I’m going to make the money I can with my looks because school will always be there. I wish sex workers could get more respect. Half of them work a day time job like the rest of you, with a college degree too.

Breanna as Chanel in the locker room

How long do you plan on pursuing dancing?                                                

Originally, I thought I’d do it for a couple months but now I’m almost on my third year. I’m not willing to give it up just yet. A lot has to do with the money. You’re told to do well in school, get a good job, make good money – I make more money than half my friends with a college degree. Honestly though, I want to be done by the time I’m 25.

What do you prefer to call your job?                                                              

I call myself an adult entertainer, dancer and stripper, not so much a sex worker, although that’s basically the industry I’m in. It doesn’t bother me being called a stripper or sex worker, though.

Breanna on stage as Chanel

Do you have tips for girls who have trouble expressing their sexuality?                                                                      

Fuck what anyone thinks or says. I’d rather be real and have people not like me than live a lie and fake who I am.                                                          

Breanna with a friend at work

Has dancing changed your perspective on anything?                                                                            

It’s made me more open, more willing to not give a fuck what anyone thinks. I specialize in BDSM and fetish play – that’s an act. When I’m being a “dom” or “sub,” I’m a whole different person. When I’m in my dancer mode as Chanel, it’s still an act. I don’t get off on giving dances, even when I may be with a younger more attractive man versus a gross older perv.

What would you say to someone who finds what you do demeaning?                                                

The industry is only as degrading as you allow it to be. Every guy in the club is a customer and my job is to make them think I like them, but I never truly give any of them chances. I don’t feel bad taking thousands of dollars from men.

What would you tell someone considering dancing?                                                                                      

I wish someone would of told me how addicting the money is. I suggest trying different clubs. Certain girls can’t block shit out that happens, like a guy pulling his dick out or insulting them, and leave crying. You have to brush it off and move on to the next dollar – dancing is not for everyone.

Would you consider yourself a strong female?              

I do stand for women’s rights, and the power to express themselves in the way they want to.

We are no less powerful than men.