Freddie Graves and Simone Davis have been documenting Feature Entertainers for 10 years and have become embedded within the community.
While conducting character research for a narrative feature, they interviewed pole sports athlete Vayda Kiss. She was a woman full of light and energy with a great sense of humor and a passion for her work. The filmmakers’ thought they had found their character. During the interview Vayda revealed that she was also a “Feature Entertainer” and invited them to watch her compete in an upcoming event.
It was there that they were introduced to an incredible world of traveling showgirls. “There are movies and shows about burlesque, drag and strippers, but nobody has made anything about us,” said one performer. Captivated, the filmmakers continued interviewing for the narrative, but also traveled regionally to capture interviews and performance video of those they met at the competition.
About a year into the project, the filmmakers received unsettling news — Vayda Kiss had died by her own hand.
The Feature world was shocked. Her death didn’t make sense.
Her friends, family and the showgirl industry needed to talk. They needed to process. The filmmakers, realizing there was a bigger story to explore, scrapped the original narrative and Peeled became their main project.
Doors opened. Access was granted by the organizers, Vayda’s friends and her fellow performers. The Peeled project grew
at an exponential rate. Even so, it still took seven years to find the piece of the puzzle that satisfactorily explained Vayda’s death.
Along the way, the filmmakers discovered stories about other incredible performers. Overlapping stories of friendship and competitive rivalry that weave the fascinating tapestry of an industry based on fame, money and titles. Managing injuries, loneliness, relationships, the stress of competition and financial struggles all take a heavy toll on these women.
This docu-series touches on issues such as sex workers’ rights, racism in the industry and the lack of health care resources. Peeled provides a glimpse behind the glitz and glamor of the stage and into the personal struggles of these dynamic, artistic and talented women.