“I dance for money. But also for fun.”

— Gabriella, 24, Tänzerin, Rough Diamond, Moselstraße 46 – 48

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Gabriella im „Rough Diamond“.
Sie liebt das Tanzen und die Star-Momente auf der Bühne.
Ginge es nach ihr, würde sie nie damit aufhören.
—   

Hi Gabriella.
Alles klar?

Oh, you speak german.
No, just a little.

How did you start pole dancing?
I just tried. It’s now 6 years ago.

Was it just an idea to try pole dancing or did you have any friend that told you „Well, why don´t you try that“?
No. Alone. I see one and think I go. I like this here, walking on top of the stage, make my show.

Have you been doing something else before you started pole dancing?
Yeah. In Brazil I worked at Opel for 2 years. I started with 16 and finished with 18. After working there I start working 2 weeks in a dress store. After that I come to Europe.

So  what did you do at Opel?
Oh, I cannot speak English. I speak good Spanish or Portuguese – it’s nearly the same. Not the same, but similar. Maintenance – yes maintenance… but I prefer an ambiance like this here. Yeah, it‘s also more funny.

You decided that you don’t want to do this anymore?
No. I’ve been dismissed by Opel.

Where are you from originally?
I come from Sao Paolo, Brazil.

How old where you when you came over here?
18.

Did you want to go to Europe – to Germany?
No. I have been all across Europe. I started my job over in Portugal. After that Italy, France, Switzerland and Greece.

Did you start immediately pole dancing in Europe  or did you try something else before?
No, only pole dancing. I started in Portugal and I liked it.

When did you come to this Club the „Rough Diamond“?
My first time dancing here? One year ago. Yeah, but I go out and come back as I like.

When is your typical work time?
From 9 pm to three – four – five in the morning. It  depends. I work 6 days a week – Sunday is off.

When you dance until 4 or 5 in the morning – what do you consider to be the best time?
It depends. Sometimes 3 o’clock – normally 2 o’clock is a good time. It’s a very good time. Sometimes 500 people are in the club. Depends. Yeah, you know this weekend – maybe 2 weeks before – it was very good, about 500 guests. You cannot stand – you know. You can’t go. Getting in the cages is difficult because people are everywhere. But of course I like it full. It’s very funny.

What do you think makes you especially successful as a dancer?
Oh, what I have and what other people don’t have? I like my job. I dance for money. But also for fun.Because you like it you are especially good – if you don’t like your job you can not do it good. Yeah. Maybe it is this. I don’t know. I like it. But I can not forget it’s my work.

Is it a friendly relationship between you and the other dancers or is it who is working best?
No, no. Nobody is the best but friends. Don’t have trouble. We don’t have problems. Everybody respect everybody. See, you don’t have time for that, you know. You don’t have time for make bad things to other people, you know (laughing).

How much time do you take off to do vacation?
It doesn’t matter. I have vacation when I want. I can go. One month – two weeks – two months. I make my vacation.

You  told me you worked in other locations also. You worked in Italy, France, Switzerland and Portugal. Was that different? Was it better or worse? What was the best and what the worst?
The most horrible is Italy. Because they only sell sex, no dancing. Yeah, I worked there one week. Then I go to Switzerland.

So Italy was the worst?
Yes. Naughty! Dirty! 

I have been to Rome once.
Oh, Rome! No. Dirty. You know it’s perfect for Italy.

And is Portugal better?
Yeah, it was good. It’s a good place. It’s a quiet place.

Why do you like Kreta so much? Did you work there too?
Kreta. Yeah. The people were good. The people are like brazilian people.

That means like „they are more lovely“ or… ?
Yeah. And the work is a little bit different. No, It’s good. I cannot explain. You know when you feel good.

So you feel good in Frankfurt and Kreta?
Yeah. I like Frankfurt and Kreta. But I prefer here. I like it here.

Do you know any of the other dancers? Maybe in other clubs, not only at the Rough Diamond?
Yeah. I know some. But here is the best I think.

What was your biggest challenge in your career as a dancer? Which situation was difficult or hard to deal with?
Sometimes  people don’t behave good. Sometimes the people… Sometimes it´s hard.

And what do you like the guest to be?
Funny! Only funny. This is a place for being funny!

Do you have a special highlight in your job?
Die Bühnenshow. You are a star for 15 minutes. It’s funny. You can make what you want, you know.

Have you ever dreamed of being longer in the spotlight – having your own show?
I like stage show with customers. What is this stage show like?
It is a show normally before you marry, a bachelors party and you can make what you want. I am the dancer and dance for you. But on stage. It´s funny, because  I can make what I want with you, you know.

Do you pick the one you are dancing for? Is it also your choice?
No, no, no. You know it before who it is. But it’s the customer’s choice. He says, I wanna go with her and then he have to write my name. Then it´s like lap dance. But on stage and I get money for this.

And  that is what you really like, when you can dance with somebody?

No, I like it because you can make what you want. I can invent my own show, it´s different every time. It´s not the same as only dancing. Because you have only one person. Everybody is different, you know.

Do you remember a special thing?
Oh, I don’t know. You can make what you want. Every time different. If I want to put a bachelor naked, I put him naked… . I like the power.

You like the power you have on stage?
Yes. Dominate. No. No, no, no. Not dominate. I like the power.

What was the funniest situation you had?
This is good question. You know I stayed with a lot of people. And they are all funny. There is no special situation.This is good question. You know I stayed with a lot of people. And they are all funny. There is no special situation.

How much money do you make per evening?
It depends. Sometimes I make good money – at good nights. Sometimes you make less. Depends who comes here.

What  are your plans for the future?
Holiday. In Brazil.

One last question: For how long do you want to do pole dancing?
Forever! If I can. Yes. If I have the body, then I can do.