Faena Questionnaire: Dita Von Teese
Our rendition of the Proust Questionnaire.
ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN FAENA JOURNAL ISSUE #59 • SPRING 2025
Our rendition of the Proust Questionnaire is our unique take on the famous parlor game that gained popularity, although it was not originally created, by Marcel Proust, the renowned French essayist and novelist. Proust held the belief that by responding to these questions, individuals unveil their genuine essence.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Purring cats. And I love petting and feeding treats to animals.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My show costumes.
Which living person do you most despise?
Any person who mistreats any animals or children.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Procrastination.
When and where were you happiest?
Opening my Las Vegas show ranks very high. It’s the show of my dreams!
What is your favorite occupation?
Perusing antique flea markets and antique malls.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Chastity.
On what occasion do you lie?
Sometimes I say I remember someone when I don’t. And like most people, I lie to save someone’s feelings, and sometimes even to save time.
What do you dislike most about your appearance
Well, I always say that one should not point out their insecurities…
Which talent would you most like to have?
To dance like Cyd Charisse.
Which living person do you most admire?
A gentleman named Steve Greig who is known on Instagram as @wolfgang2242. He rescues senior pets. I admire people who devote their lives to taking care of needy animals. It’s what I will do when I retire.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Narcissistic, vocal arrogance. You know the kind…
What is your favorite journey?
I always have a riotous time traveling with Christian Louboutin to places I wouldn’t normally go.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Don’t you think?”, used to punctuate my opinion, or when I’m second guessing myself.
What is your greatest regret?
There’s a house I always regret not buying 20 years ago. My accountant at the time wouldn’t let me. He also used to call me “kid”, which should have been a red flag. I eventually fired him and bought a house I love.
What is your current state of mind?
Grateful.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I were better at forgiving people for doing me wrong.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Snow White.
How would you like to die?
Deep into old age, peacefully, at home.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
I wish we all lived closer to each other.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Reviving the art burlesque.
What is it that you most dislike?
Cruelty and abandonment of animals.
If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?
A very well-loved cat…perhaps a fancy show cat.
What is your most treasured possession?
My maximalist vintage home…I love thinking of its history, and I am grateful to live in aplace that’s distinctively mine.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Losing one’s child would be the lowest depth of misery I can imagine.
Where would you like to live?
In a castle somewhere with many pets running around.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My red lipstick and black hairdo… my style.
What do you most value in your friends?
I value kindness and loyalty, and a wacky sense of humor.
Who are your favorite writers?
Mae West is my favorite writer. She wrote every single line she ever said on the silver screen, and her books about her life and her self-help books are zingers. She was the highest paid actor—- male or female—-in the 1930s, and the biggest sex symbol in Hollywood at age 40.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Ferly Prado. She’s choreographer of my show in Las Vegas, and she’s also part of my show there, and here at Faena. I’ve honestly never met anyone like her…uplifting and inspiring, beloved by so many. She’s one of those people you just want to do better for. And she’s bombshell beautiful.
What is your greatest fear?
I don’t even like to put energy into writing my fears. I’m a bit superstitious in that way.
What is your motto?
You can be a juicy, ripe peach and there will still be someone who doesn’t like peaches.
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