Aquarius Moon is a Somali-Nigerian American performance artist, producer, and cultural curator whose work moves fluidly between performance, production, and education. A leading figure in contemporary burlesque, she has captivated audiences on stages from Washington, D.C. to London, Sydney, New Orleans, and New York — and across stages throughout Europe and Australia — building a career defined by artistry, intention, and cultural impact.
Voted the 6th most influential burlesque performer in the world and named to 21st Century Burlesque's Top 50 To Watch, she holds the titles of 2025 Sin City Queen of Burlesque, 2025 Imperial Burlesque Monarch, and 2024 DMV Kiki Women's Performer of the Year. Her work has been honored in the Burlesque Hall of Fame's Movers, Shakers, and Innovators Showcase, and in 2026 she curated the landmark exhibition Every(Body) Wants to Be a Showgirl at Dupont Underground — in official partnership with the Burlesque Hall of Fame — featuring over 100 Black burlesque performers from around the world. Her legacy has been preserved in the Brown Skin Girls: Showgirls exhibit and documented in the film JIG SHOW: Harlem in Havana. She holds the "Golden Goddess of Burlesque" title, bestowed by mentor Egypt Blaque Knyle, and is recognized by the Kennedy Center as a performance artist, choreographer, and community advocate.
As founder of Metro Cabaret Club, she produces some of Washington, D.C.'s most celebrated live entertainment — including Cheeky Martini, the city's premiere live band burlesque show; Dance Place After Dark; and The Chocolate City Showgirls at Dupont Underground. Her resale line, Showgirl Saloon, extends that curatorial sensibility into fashion — offering pieces for women who treat style as self-expression. Her brand partnerships include THINX, True Botanicals, OSEA, and Visit Virginia Beach, reflecting a lifestyle reach that spans wellness, beauty, and culture.
Her viral hashtag #everybodywantstobeashowgirl sparked a global movement, uniting burlesque artists worldwide and becoming a rallying cry for a more diverse, inclusive showgirl culture. Through the OK Moves Collective — with a pop-up tour reaching London, Amsterdam, Denver, Philadelphia, and beyond — she has brought that same energy into the studio, teaching thousands of students at institutions including the Kennedy Center, Equinox, and 305 Fitness.
Before stepping into the spotlight, Aquarius Moon spent years as a full-time political advocate championing disability rights, early childhood education, and universal paid family leave — a foundation still visible in her featured wellness talk for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), her invited speaking engagement with Leadership for Educational Equity, and her ongoing volunteer work with Special Olympics Montgomery County.
Aquarius Moon holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland with a Minor in Early Childhood Special Education, and a Master's degree in Education Policy from American University.
As featured in: The Washington Post · NPR · WTOP · 21st Century Burlesque · DCist · WAMU · Burlesque Hall of Fame · Kennedy Center · INTRA Magazine · Mob Journal · My New York Magazine · NEW AMERICA foundation · THE HECHINGER REPORT · JIG SHOW: Harlem in Havana