#31: The Amazing Charmion & Her Trapeze Disrobing Act

Love what you hear? Send us fan mail! On December 13, 1897, Charmion took New York by storm in her debut performance of what'd become her infamous trapeze disrobing act. Combining flexing, athleticism, and undressing, Charmion challenged Victorian values by putting her strong and feminine body on display. Charmion defied social norms by showing off her beautiful muscles and enticing audiences of both men and women with her vaudeville performances. One of the most famous performers of her day, she took America and Europe by storm. Not all audiences were so enthusiastic; in Germany her act was banned.  In 1901, Thomas Edison filmed Charmion's famous act in a silent film that can still be watched today. While her time in the spotlight was brief, Charmion paved the way for women entertainers and audience members to embrace healthier views about their bodies.  Come along with us for our first custom Patreon episode requested by supporter Ryan W. through history and astrology!                                                                    Sources Articles: "B.F. Keith and the Origins of American Vaudeville" by Robert C. Allen, October 21, 2010 “Charmion: The Strongwoman” by Iona Fortune Burlesque, June 30, 2025 “Charmion and the Business of Physical Culture at the Turn of the Twentieth Century” by Bieke Gils, Ph.D  “Finding Lost Voices: The Daring Young Woman on the Trapeze who Flexed: Charmion” by Iris Jamahl Dunkle  “Flying, Flirting, and Flexing: Charmion's Trapeze Act, Sexuality, and Physical Culture at the Turn of the Twentieth Century” by Bieke Gils in Journal of Sport History, vol. 41, no. 2 “Laverie “Charmion” Valleé and Her Rebellious Life and Scandalous Career” by Rediscovered History  “The “Trapeze Disrobing Act”” by Betsy Golden Kellem, August 24, 2022  Digital Media:  Trapeze Disrobing Act by Thomas Edison, 1901 Websites: “Laverie “Charmion” Cooper Vallee” (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118118889/laverie-vallee)  Museum of the City of New York Collections (https://collections.mcny.org/)  Support Us! Patreon: patreon.com/MakingMythPodcast Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/makingmythpodcast