Dita Von Teese Credited with the revival of burlesque in the modern age and bolstered by her very public marriage (and subsequent divorce) from shock rocker Marilyn Manson, Dita Von Teese has enough glamour, beauty, and dark edge to remain in the public eye for years to come. Dita Von Teese (birth name Heather Renée Sweet) was born September 28, 1972 in Rochester, Michigan. Born to a manicurist mother and machinist father, Von Teese’s fascination with old Hollywood glamour began at a young age. This was fostered by her mother who often provided 1940s clothing for the young Von Teese. Originally trained as a ballerina, Von Teese still incorporates elements of classical dance into her current burlesque routines. Enamored by the lacy lingerie she spotted in Playboy, Von Teese worked at a retail lingerie store as a salesgirl when she was fifteen, and later as a buyer. While away at college, Von Teese pursued costume design, specializing in historic costuming. Disinterested in a typical job, Von Teese began stripping at age nineteen and immediately honed her vintage look. Glamour modeling followed, and fetish modeling followed not long after. She quickly made a name for herself as people were fascinated by her pin-up look with a modern twist.
Von Teese posed for many magazines including Bizarre, Marquis, and Hugh Hefner's Playboy (in 1999, 2001, and 2002). She also took numerous roles in both hardcore and softcore fetish films. It was, however, her dramatic turn in The Death of Salvador Dali that caught critics’ attention, winning her Best Female Performance at the Beverly Hills Film Festival. Von Teese remains adamant that acting is not her ultimate goal. Rather, it is Von Teese’s burlesque routines to which she dedicates her time and energy. Performing these routines since 1993, she even earned special thanks for inspiring Cameron Diaz’s dance in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. Appearing in nearly every major fashion magazine including Vogue, Elle, and Vanity Fair, Von Teese has an obvious passion for fashion. Despite never using a stylist, she earns frequent spots on many different “best dressed” lists. Her book, Burlesque and the Art of the Teese, was released in 2006 to rave reviews and sales. Von Teese has revealed several female relationships as well as romantic involvement with Mike Ness, Peter Sarsgaard, and of course, Marilyn Manson. She married Manson on November 28, 2005 and filed for divorce just over one year later, claiming the oft cited irreconcilable differences. Many conjecture it had to do with Manson’s relationship with nineteen year old actress Evan Rachel Wood. Von Teese does not appear to be seeking spousal support, not does it look like she’s making for Manson’s assets.
Most recently, Von Teese was invited to appear on America’s Next Top Model beside host Tyra Banks and judges Nigel Barker, Twiggy, and others. | 
