A former stripper, who worked in two clubs, spoke about the behind-the-scenes life of the male striptease industry, the goals of men working in this field, and what actually happens inside the clubs. According to him, men working in striptease often dream of finding a wealthy client who will provide them with an apartment and a car. However, as it turns out, reality is much more complex and multifaceted.

The Beginning of the Journey: From the Office to the Stage

The hero's path into the male striptease industry began by chance. During a friend's birthday party, as he was dancing, some girls noticed his moves and suggested he was a stripper. This sparked the idea of a career change for him. Before this, he had worked in an office, where the daily routine bored him and made him crave something more. He found information online about male strip clubs and decided to try his luck at an audition.

Casting and First Steps

The casting took place in a hall where guests were already present and other dancers were performing. The art manager explained the conditions: each participant had to perform in their chosen persona, invite a guest onto the stage for a private dance, and then conclude their performance. Participants were provided with costumes for various personas, including a police officer, a cowboy, and a ship captain. A bottle of alcohol was offered to help ease nerves.

During his performance, the protagonist removed all his clothes, turning his back to the stage but facing the guest so she could assess him. This elicited thunderous applause and boosted his confidence. After the performance, the club manager offered him a job on weekends, noting his potential. Ultimately, the protagonist quit his office job and began his career at the club. Approximately eight people were present at the casting, and more than half of them were hired. The decision was made by the manager, choreographer, and other managers who were aware of the guests' needs.

Behind the Scenes at the Club: Preparation and First Performances

The club opens between 10-11 PM, depending on the day of the week. Dancers arrive in advance, around 8-9 PM, where they are served regular meals. The backstage area is described as a simple, even meager room with pipes and a long corridor lined with mirrors for each dancer. Preparation includes visiting the tanning salon, showering, and applying creams.

Newcomers are always sent first to the "glass" – a special structure in the hall where they dance until they attract the attention of guests or the choreographer. Only after rehearsing the program and receiving permission from the manager are they released onto the stage for free dancing.

Competition and Personas

Friendliness prevails among dancers, but when it comes to money and success, competition begins. There have been instances where colleagues spread fabricated rumors about other dancers to deter guests from them.

Personas and dances are shaped with the help of a choreographer and an art manager. The protagonist was trained in "real private" dances, incorporating elements of toughness and sexuality. Personas included a pilot, a cowboy (with simulated horseback riding), a police officer, and a biker. Each performance concluded with a private dance on stage.

"Crazy Menu": Services and Earnings

The main income for dancers comes from the "Crazy Menu" – additional services for guests. The protagonist received 40-50% of the cost of each item.

• Romantic Evening (Sitting Together): A guest can invite a dancer, manager, or administrator to sit with her at a table or at the bar, to chat and hug. Cost: 2500-3000 rubles.
• Private Dance: A private dance in a separate room (3-5 minutes) with full nudity. Includes music, dim lighting, sometimes a shower or jacuzzi. Cost: 2500-3000 rubles.
• Massage: A continuation of the private dance (30 minutes) with the possibility of massage or other activities. Cost: 5000 rubles.
• "Uval" (Escort Service): The option to hire a dancer for 3 hours (15,000 rubles) or for the entire night (25,000 rubles). In another club, prices were 5000 rubles higher.

On the website of one of the clubs, the following prices were listed: private dance – 3000 rubles, erotic massage – 7000 rubles. An escort service was also offered.

Some dancers refused services if there was no mutual attraction. However, managers could offer guests higher prices for services, especially if the guest was drunk or behaved inappropriately.

Outside the Club: New Opportunities and Dangers

As his experience grew, the protagonist began exchanging contacts with guests, which allowed him to earn money outside the club. He could receive offers for meetings even without being on shift. His earnings reached 80-100 thousand rubles per month, working three times a week.

Meetings outside the club could be both free and paid. Other dancers taught him to value his time and charge for meetings. Gifts from guests included clothes, money, expensive sneakers, and some dancers even received cars.

Among the regular guests were young girls (20-22 years old) with wealthy parents, strippers from female clubs, as well as older wealthy women (around 50 years old) who often came with their husbands. In such cases, the husbands could choose a guy for their wife.

Extreme Entertainment and Addiction

The protagonist describes participating in "events" – parties involving drugs, sex, and money. He became a gigolo, spending time with women who earned money at such gatherings. These encounters involved men who hired escorts for their wives, as well as orgies and swingers' parties. Trips to Turkey or Dubai with couples for group sex were offered.

Participation in such events was often accompanied by drug use. The protagonist admits that he first tried drugs at one of these parties and couldn't stop. This led to a daily addiction and significant weight loss. He realized he couldn't handle the situation on his own.

Exiting the Industry

The turning point came with an offer from a regular guest to help him overcome his addiction and start building relationships. He stopped frequenting the club and tried to start a new life. However, exiting the industry proved to be challenging. Psychological dependence and temptations led to secret meetings and relapses. It took a year to completely break away from this sphere.

The protagonist notes that his initial dream of becoming a dancer like Channing Tatum was vastly different from the reality, where he felt like an "object." He does not recommend anyone enter this field due to its dangers and destructive influence.