The next DIY BurlesKoala competition is nearly upon us, so it’s a great time to see who has taken on this challenge before and helped shape where we are today.

Venus Adored, NSW

Venus Adored is a Sydney based burlesque performer who competed in the 2023 DIY BurlesKoala competition. She describes her usual style as neo burlesque. I asked Venus about her experiences competing in the 2023 DIY BurlesKoala Competition.

Why did you enter DIY BurlesKoala?

VA: For a chance to meet interstate performers and have motivation to try my hand at a lot of new skills re costuming and also choreographing something by myself.

Where did the inspiration for your act come from?

VA: I was driving home from class one night listening to my random playlist, with that delightful post dance endorphin rush coursing through my veins, when the Abbey Road Album version of Slow started playing and my brain noted it was slower than the original, like a a Sloth…. lol imagine a Sloth doing burlesque … wait, imagine a Sloth, doing burlesque!?! And then it was youtube rabbit holes on Sloths and voila!

What was the biggest challenge you faced in creating your DIY act?

VA: Trusting in myself, that it was ok to not be perfect. Putting something I was completely responsible for on stage. I was literally a year from my debut had never choreographed an act without help and had minimal sewing skills and there I was debuting this endeavour in a competition in front of peers and judges and such. And using a sewing machine.

What was the biggest achievement or win you had in creating your DIY act?

VA: That the audience “got” the act. That they picked up what I was putting down That my jokes landed and my costume only came off when I wanted it too lol.

What was your favourite aspect of competing in DIY BurlesKoala?

VA: Meeting and connecting with other performers.

If you were to enter again, what would you do differently?

VA: Stress less.

What advice would you give someone considering entering?

VA: Set your own goals that aren’t based on winning and use this as an opportunity to create an act and costuming you can build on and perform again.

Have you performed your DIY act again, and if so, where/ when? If not, do you hope too?

VA: Quite a few times. From local (to me) shows such as Bitesize Burlesque and the Fat Showgirl to the Motley Bahaus Salon in Melbourne where I had the fabulous opportunity to embody the Sloth all night, napping about the venue, napping while posing for the life drawing, performing the act and finally demonstrating just how well a Sloth can swim.

Have you since upgraded your DIY act? If so, what changes have you made? If not, are there changes and upgrades you plan to make?

VA: I have. I took on board a number of the judges recommendations including blinging it up more… so a lot more Rhinestones and shiny fringing. I’ve also worked on movement and small changes to the choreography to improve the act.

What is one DIY trick, skill or experience you learned/ had during the creation of your act that you are most proud of?

VA: Op Shops are a treasure trove for Burlesque costuming and I was brave enough to unpick things to reappropriate materials and made things rather than destroy things as I was afraid of doing!

DIY BurlesKoala 2026

The Great DIY BurlesK Contest will be held on Saturday 26 September 2026 at Sutherland Arts Theatre, Sutherland Shire, Sydney. Tickets available now.

Follow Venus Adored on Instagram and Facebook.

Watch Venus’ DIY BurlesKoala winning act online