‘I’m a 75-year-old pole dancer – some slam my sexy outfits but I don’t care’
Starr Stauffer Wise, a 75-year-old widow, has opened up on why she decided to start pole dancing.
The grandma from Colorado Springs, US, said she lived a solitary life with her two cats during the COVID-19 lockdown. But everything changed for Starr in February 2021 when she came across a local newspaper article that turned her life around.
“The article was about a local pole dancer, Diane Martin, who also happened to be a Pastor,” she said. “Diane started her pole dancing journey when she was nearly 50, and now, at 64, she’s my private instructor. She’s the brains behind Pole Revolution.”
The piece sparked an old flame within Starr, reminding her of her long-forgotten dream to take up pole dancing a desire that had been shelved for years. She said: “When I read that piece, I was beyond excited. It jogged my memory about an old dream of mine pole dancing, which had been on my bucket list for years but somehow got pushed to the back burner. I initially thought, ‘Could I even do this?'”
Despite losing her husband 18 years ago and battling health issues like rheumatoid arthritis, a deformed hand, osteoporosis, and recovering from a severe fall, Starr didn’t let that stop her. “I decided to text the Pole Revolution studio to check if there was an age limit,” she said. “To my delight, they said there wasn’t one.
“Without wasting any time, I signed up for an intro class that week. I had no clue if I could pull it off at my age and with my medical history, but I not only managed but got totally hooked. I couldn’t get enough, so I signed up for a whole package of classes.”
As a recovering alcoholic with nearly 36 years of sobriety, Starr has found a new lease on life through pole dancing, which she practices three times a week. Not only has it reshaped her body, but it’s also been a game-changer for her mental and emotional well-being.
She said: “Pole dancing in my lounge where I have a pole set up – and classes help me so much with anxiety. It’s a lot of fun. I get great support from the pole dancing community and enjoy learning new tricks. When you are doing pole tricks, your mind has to be completely on what you are doing, so those bad things going on in your brain must be gone. You have to concentrate, or you may lose your grip, let go of the wrong leg or hand and crash to the floor. I just did that the other day and landed on my head quite hard. Luckily, I didn’t have a concussion.”
Starr’s favourite moves include laybacks, inverts, and drops. “Some students may find mastering these tricks a long journey, but these tricks came naturally to me,” she said. “Floor work and flow work, however, remain challenging. My joints and flexibility aren’t what they used to be. Nevertheless, I take pride in my ability to rise gracefully from the floor, even while wearing stilettos.
“Some of my high school classmates on Facebook have humorously commented, ‘She’s hanging upside down on a pole, and I can barely get out of a chair.’ Flow work will likely never be my forte. Yet, I embrace the challenge and continue to push my limits because why not?”
Starr has seen a remarkable improvement in her physical health, developing muscles she’s never had before and even reversing her osteoporosis, thanks to her dedication to pole dancing. She doesn’t just stop there; her weekly routine includes Zumba, EGym, and Silver Sneakers classes.
Despite the common misconceptions about pole dancing, especially when it comes to seniors engaging in the sport, Starr is smashing through stereotypes with her fellow dancers.
She shared: “I’ve had some family totally turn away from contact with me. I never had any children, but I have two step-granddaughters who really support me. The one who lives in California came to both of my performances in LA. She has two daughters, my step-great-granddaughters, and they think it’s great what their Nana does. I had some friends also distance themselves for the same reason. My friends are 95% supportive. The public has been 99% positive.”
Starr also addressed a common misconception that pole dancing is synonymous with stripping. The International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF) has worked hard to standardise rules and regulations for pole dancing competitions, making it a recognised sport with aspirations of becoming an Olympic event.
“Sometimes, people will pass comment on my social media accounts about the outfits I wear while pole dancing,” said Starr, who boasts 29,000 followers on Instagram (@starr. wise). “I always respond with the same answer: ‘Your grip is your skin’. Sure, some outfits are a lot more sexy, but you have grip points on your neck, armpit, midriff, abdomen and sides.
“Also, it’s perfectly okay to show your feet, ankles, toes, thighs, knees and even a bit of butt cheeks. I delete nasty comments and block them. I’m not going to worry about ignorant trolls or let them bother me.”
Starr says her amazing life proves it’s never too late to chase your dreams. “My advice for anyone hesitant to try something new, especially later in life, is to do it,” she said. “It may not be pole dancing, but don’t put it off if you’ve always wanted to try something. I never thought I would perform in an East Hollywood or Beverly Hills club and I certainly never thought I’d go to Los Angeles and perform at The Comedy Pole Show and get a standing ovation.
“I’ve met celebrities. I’ve met the most wonderful pole people. I’m famous on Instagram. I have had the most wonderful experiences in the last two-and-a-half years. I have met wonderful people and made new friends. I am known internationally. What a dream! What a life!”
