“Self confidence is the best expression of our sexiness,” says pole dancing extraordinaire, Lorenza Perrone. “I know it’s quite an obvious thing to say, but we forget it at times.”

You would think that someone who chooses a career in pole dancing would naturally be brimming with self-confidence. That wasn´t the case for this Roman beauty, creator of MonkeyLabOnlineStudio.it and co-founder of Monkey Lab Aerial Studio.

At 18, Lorenza began pole-dancing. At the time she was quite thin and uncomfortable in her skin. It was only when she began to see her body developing a more strong, womanly shape, which she credits to pole dancing, she started to become comfortable with her self-image.
“That’s the beauty of pole dancing,” Lorenza smiles. “Not only is it a fantastic workout, but it helps you become aware of your strengths, both physically and mentally. I’ve been working in this industry for 11 years and I’ve seen lots of women and girls blossom into beautiful creatures: free, strong, sexy, aware of themselves and of their skills.”

When we ask her about the common pole dancing misconceptions she encounters in her professional life, Lorenza rolls her eyes and laughs. “Ugh, where do I begin?”, she jokes, “There are too many misconceptions about pole dancing! At the top of the list is, of course, that pole dancers are strippers, which is like saying every doctor is a cardiologist. And I don’t want to denigrate stripping because, without a doubt, strippers were the original founders of pole dancing, but there is more to it. A professional pole dancer could be a trainer, take classes at international and national level; create Pole events; prepare athletes for Pole competitions; or be an owner of a Pole dance school.”

So, what does a day in the life of a professional pole dancer look like? Well, she’s an early bird, rising at 7am. Then it’s coffee, shower, dress, and out the house she goes. “I walk a lot; it’s my warm-up for my morning workout, which could be Pole, weights or Capoeira.”
Afterwards, she gets started on her work day, which includes answering emails and planning her schedule for the day, alongside her sister, with whom she manages her two pole dancing businesses. Her afternoons are varied. “I could go to one of our studios and have a pole dance class; go to the gym to prepare lessons; stay home and have online classes; contact other artists with whom I create collaborations, or create choreography and visual projects, which is always fun!”

In the evening, Lorenza prefers to stay at home with her boyfriend ‒ who she met during one of her pole performances for the opening of her first studio, in Rome! ‒ and her three cats. Then it’s early to bed, so she can be fresh and full of energy in the morning.

As we watch this hugely talented artist climb the pole (and the ladder of her successful career!), we can’t help but want to work the pole ourselves! So, what piece of advice does she have for us? “Don’t be frightened or intimidated by the photos or videos you see ‒ these images may seem intimidating and impossible to achieve, but they are created to present the best of the performer! And don’t feel inhibited by what we’re wearing; it’s functional for what we’re doing and you may learn to like yourself! The hardest moment is always the first time but then everything comes together, and you will soon feel empowered!”

Where do we sign up?!

Your summer holy grail?
Lots of body lotion and the shortest shorts in my closet! On second thought, the shortest shorts are always present for us pole dancers, even during the winter!

Bikini or swimsuit?
Bikini!

Cocktails by the pool or beers on the beach?
Beers on the beach. Better still? Beers along the banks of a river ‒ more intimate and wild.

What song makes you think of summer?
I don’t have a particular song but I usually listen to this playlist that always makes me feel like it’s summer!