While some artists and celebrities climbed their way to the top of the music charts and television ratings with talent and dedication, some climbed their way down the pole to get to where they are now.
Whether it was a stepping stone or just a gig until something better came along, these celebrities did what they had to do to get to the top, and they took it one Uncle Luke song at a time.
Click the Page #’s below to see 10 celebrities you may or may not of known were strippers before they were on your TV/Radio.
Eve
Before Eve was the lady of Ruff Ryders, she was the lady in 6 inch heels working at your local strip club.
Not shy of speaking about the past job, Eve has explained how stripping has actually helped her.
“Come on. That was a hustle, too; there’s a song about it on my album, ‘Heaven Only Knows.’ But I don’t regret it—I was 18 and confused, going through personal problems. I did it for about a month, and I was glad I did it. It helped me find Eve, helped me get serious. It was depressing.”
NeNe Leakes
Nene may be your favorite Real Housewife of Atlanta, but before Bravo picked up on the mega hit reality show, NeNe may of been your favorite dancer at an Atlanta strip club.
“Yes, I was a stripper – let the judgments ensue,” says the sassy Leakes — known as “Silk” during her days in the sex industry. “I’m not ashamed.”
Kat Stacks
Although being a stripper seems like it would be an upgrade from what she does now, Kat Stacks says without stripping she would have never been introduced to these young rappers she loves to expose.
Kat Stacks has allegedly been stripping since the age of 17, and decided that sleeping with celebrities was a better income than just a lapdance.
However, if it wasn’t for Kat Stacks stripping, we would never know a bunch of rapper’s phone numbers and Soulja Boy’s possible cocaine addiction. -_-
Lady Gaga
Before she was the biggest pop star on the planet, Lady Gaga was the biggest act on stage. Using props and weird antics to draw attention, Lady Gaga says her stripping experience was a different one.
“I was working in strip clubs when I was 18. My act was pretty wild. I’d wear black leather and dance to Black Sabbath, Guns N’ Roses and Faith No More. Very rock ‘n’ roll. I don’t like to talk about it too much but there were drugs, serious drugs.”
Kendra Wilkinson
The wife of NFL player Hank Basket recently admitted that she was discovered by ex-boyfriend Hugh Hefner in a strip club.
The new mom and now housewife told US Weekly,
“I kind of lost myself for a little bit. I wasn’t a druggie stripper, I was a very good person doing it. But I was kind of still embarrassed about it.”
Amber Rose
Another celebrity that is known for being a stipper, Amber was one of the most searched women on the internet in 2009/2010.
Making tabloids everywhere with ex-boyfriend Kanye West, even the name Amber Rose yells stripper.
One thing is for sure, I would love to see some footage of some dancing with that body…SHEESH!
Renee Zellweger
Before she became an Oscar winning actress, she may have been the best kept secret in a local Texas club.
Working as a cocktail waitress in a strip club while trying to catch her “big break” in acting, Renee Zellweger is the perfect example of being at the right place at the right time.
Renee Zellweger has further went on to say “It was a classier club where the waitresses kept their clothes on.”
Maliah Michel
Maliah Michel is living the stripper’s dream.
From being the most popular girl at a strip club in Houston, Maliah is now one of the most popular girls in the industry thanks to being linked to mega superstar Drake.
Appearing in tabloids and music videos all over, Maliah is the epitome of what could happen if strippers know how to strip well and who to strip for.
Carmen Electra
Is it really surprising that actress Carmen Electra started off shaking it on a stripper pole.
The former Playboy playmate has even released her own brand of poles for ladies that want to work on their “fitness.”
Octomom
Nadya Suleman better known as “Octomom” has confirmed that she once took her talent to the pole.
According to the mother of 14, she once delved into the world of dance but “only for one night” and under the name Angelina, playing off her “likeness” to Angelina Jolie.
