It was already considered a staple of the Strip entertainment scene, but this spring “X” Burlesque is celebrating its 20th year of thrilling and teasing Las Vegas audiences. The sultry show, currently performing at the Flamingo, has been enjoyed by more than a million people during its impressive run, and dancer Whitney Giron has been a big part of the production after joining the cast in 2012. The Northern Nevada native took some time to talk about what “X” Burlesque means to her.

How does it feel to celebrate this very significant anniversary of the show, especially since you’ve been performing in “X” Burlesque for almost 10 years?

It’s very exciting and I’m definitely very proud to say I have been a part of it for almost half its life. I really don’t know where the time went. When people ask me about it or want to know what I do, I always have a smile on my face, and I’ve always been very proud to be part of this show. It’s a great show and I have a very coveted spot.

What do you think sets the show apart from other burlesque-style productions?

I don’t know if I’m biased, but when I look at the girls next to me in the dressing room, I just think they are the most beautiful women and, having gotten to know them, they’re all so strong and smart on and off the stage. Things don’t always go right, but we’re all dancers that know how to adapt, and we all work well under pressure. Having a strong cast with a lot of camaraderie makes a big difference. And we all have a lot of passion and excitement for our jobs.

Do you have a favorite number?

For the 15th anniversary, we put in a “Good Girl” number, and I love it, not just because I get to be the featured dancer, but the other girls come out and we have this long boa that stretches the length of the stage, and it breaks apart into individual boas. It’s cute and flirty and very traditional, and it has that glitz and glamour.

“X” Burlesque has hosted plenty of celebrities over the years. Do you have a favorite celeb guest?

One of the biggest (stars) was Nicolas Cage, who used to be a frequent guest at (sister show) “X” Rocks. Just a few months ago, we were doing the show and found out later that one of the guys sitting in the back row was Taye Diggs. Part of me was glad I didn’t know he was back there, because it might have got the nerves going. But I was bummed because I probably would have given an extra wink and smile his way if I knew.

Given your experience, the anniversary, and the difficulty all entertainers dealt with in recent years, it must be an extra special experience every time you’re onstage.

I can’t express how much gratitude I have for (producers) Matt and Angela (Stabile) for having kept me in the show this long. I hope that means they like me! Over this 10 years, I have made lifelong friends and memories, and it’s just such a blast and I’m so happy to be part of something so big.

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