Dita Von Teese says one of the highlights of her career was meeting Hollywood legend Dame Elizabeth Taylor and she treasures the photo she has of them together

Dita was thrilled when the organisers arranged a meeting between her and Taylor - who died in March 2011 aged 79 - who she remembers having a "very beautiful man rolling her around" in a wheelchair.

Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, Dita recalled: "I'm fortunate enough to have met a few Hollywood legends, but that was extra special. I was performing at a big AIDS charity in Los Angeles.

"I was performing in my champagne glass there, and they said, 'We'd love to get a photo of you and Elizabeth Taylor.' And I remember being so nervous.

"They had me sat in a chair on the red carpet and she was in a wheelchair at that time. I think she had a very beautiful man rolling her around! I have that picture to last me a lifetime, and I just was so tickled to meet her. She was just beautiful."

Dita remembers Elizabeth being "like a Hollywood pearl" who was so gracious and polite to her.

She said: "She was like a Hollywood Pearl - kind, she's like the queen. Taking the picture, being polite.

"I met her before I performed. I don't remember her saying anything about me, my performance, because it was before the show."

Not all of Dita's celebrity meet-ups have gone so well, but although she is happy to share those awkward encounters with friends she will not publicly name the stars who were less friendly to her.

She said: "You know, when someone's not very nice, you have a story to tell. That makes it fun!

"But you never know if somebody's having a bad day or what their thing was. But I think it's always just a fun story to tell later."

Dita - who began performing burlesque in 1992, aged 20 - is currently on tour in the UK with her "most glambitious show yet", Nocturnelle.

The "opulent and richly imaginative" production - inspired by the magicians of the 19th century - sees the her unveil an exquisite blend of old-Hollywood allure, theatrical magic, and the high-art "Stripscapes" that Dita is known for.

Visit myticket.co.uk to purchase tickets.




Nocturnelle tour dates:




January:

Monday, 26 - Manchester O2 Apollo

Tuesday, 27 - Manchester O2 Apollo

Thursday, 29 - London Palladium

Friday, 30 - London Palladium

Saturday, 31 - London Palladium




February:

Sunday, 01 - London Palladium EXTRA DATE

Wednesday, 04 - Birmingham The Alexandra

Thursday, 05 - Birmingham The Alexandra

Friday, 06 - Birminham The Alexandra

Wednesday, 11 - Stockton Globe

Friday, 13 - Edinburgh Playhouse

Saturday, 14 - Edinburgh Playhouse