E14 - The Glamorous Life of a Rockette: An Interview with a Radio City Performer

Hi, and welcome to Visible Panty Lines, AKA vpl the Pod. I'm Janae Luciani Sena. These are transparent conversations of encouragement, inspiration, and overcoming adversity. So, anyway, thanks for doing this. Sammy came up with this idea. We thought it was super cool.

Absolutely. My pleasure. Thanks so much for having me.

Yeah. So I guess let's start. Start out like, I kind of just want to see where it goes, too. What's your name and how long have you been a Rockette?

My name is Tiffany and this is my 12th season as a Rockette. And I'm very excited to be back.

Awesome. Were you, I'm assuming you were a dancer before that or your whole life or.

Yeah, I've been dancing since I was 8 years old. I've done a bunch of cruise ships and theme parks and operas, musicals. But I am so blessed to be a Rockette. It really is a dream come true. You know, I used to watch the Rockettes on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade when I was a kid, and they were so glamorous and beautiful. And as I got older and taller, I was just like, oh, my gosh, maybe one day I can be a Rockette. So I really am truly thankful every day that I get to be a Rockette, do this incredible job, and I can't believe I've been here for 12 years. It's really amazing.

So do you have to re audition every year or is it.

You do have to re audition every year? Yes. You know, we really have to stay up on our technique, you know, being proficient in jazz, tap and ballet. You know, we do a variety of styles in the Christmas Spectacular, so you really have to, you know, keep our technique up. And so, yeah, we have to re audition every year. And I'm just so thankful I continue to be hired and I, again, I'm just so blessed and thankful for this incredible job.

What's the competition like? Is it like thousand women try out each year or how is that.

Yeah, that is about the rough estimate. Number is about 1000 women audition every single year. I do remember my very first year auditioning and the line is wrapped around the block at Radio City Music hall. And it is quite intimidating. You're like, oh, my goodness, all these incredible, beautiful women want the same job. But I'm just, I really am so thankful. All the training that I received and the hard work that I put in really has paid off.

And how many get picked actually to do it?

So we have 84 Rockettes that are in the line. We have two casts, morning shows and evening shows. So 84 out of how many women that audition every year really is an incredible thing.

Wow. Yeah, that's awesome. And then I saw on somebody's Facebook post recently and I haven't like looked this up or anything, but there is like some facts, I guess basically about the Rockettes. So one of the ones that she mentioned specifically was the height requirement. So is that a thing and what is that?

Yeah, so our height requirement is you have to be between five, five and five, ten and a half. And they extended that actually this past year, you know, to just include more beautiful women that could audition and be a Rockette. So by five to five, ten and a half is the high requirement. And like I said earlier, you have to be proficient in jazz, tap and ballet. We rehearse six hours a day, six days a week. So it's very intense. And then we do up to four shows in a day. So it really is a rigorous schedule and we have to be prepared for that. You know, we are professional athletes. And diamonds.

Yes, basically, pretty much. And then she also said something like there's like X kicks a day or something like that. Like 160 kicks a day. I think the stat was, yeah, we.

Do up to 300 kicks in one show. So times that by four. That's a lot of kicks in a day.

Yeah, well, 300 kicks a show and you do two shows a day.

The normal is two shows a day, but we do up to four shows in a day depending on which day. Like the weekends are heavier show schedule. So we'll do three or four shows in that time frame.

Wow. So that could be potentially like 1200 kicks a day.

Yes, yes, absolutely.

So obviously Rockettes, like speaking about the kicks, Rockettes are kind of famous for their legs.

So what, is there any regimen that you do like specifically for your legs, like to keep them. I mean, I know like way back when JLO ensured her legs, you know, or something. Is there anything, what do you do for that? Because that's like a focal point. Yeah.

You know, a lot of us cross train, so we not only take multiple dance classes a day, but we work out as well, various styles, workout, pilates, dance, cardio, weightlifting. There really is a variety of cross training that we do to ensure that we are strong enough coming to the season. Not only cardio wise, but just strength wise and for our legs and for all the kicks that we do.

And then is there anything beauty wise for your legs? I don't know, waxing, tanning, you know.

You know, it Varies for everybody.

I mean, I think you wear tights, right? Are you in tights most of the time?

Yes.

Trying to remember. I've seen the show, like, multiple times.

But, yeah, we wear tights in the show, so, like, it.

So it doesn't really matter, essentially, if you, like, skipped shaving that day.

Yeah, it doesn't matter.

Yeah.

I was just curious because I'm like, okay, I would imagine, like, if it were your legs, like, actually showing the time, you would have to be, like, perfectly, you know, hairless and tan and what have you.

Yeah, absolutely. Now, some of us do wear, like, a self tanner. Like myself. I'm quite pale, so I. I do wear, like, a self tanner that just makes me feel like I have a little bit more color on stage because the lights are so bright. You know, in addition to that, you know, we love, you know, the glamorous, the red lip. Just a nice lash. That natural, glamorous beauty is also part of it as well. So that's, you know, the rock, that signature look.

Right. So the red lip, obviously, is a thing. Take me through, like, the step of putting that on and having that day, basically, through the show.

Yeah. So I like to use a lip stain. And the great thing is that the raw cast, we all get to use whatever products that really work for our skin tone and ourselves. So we actually. We all have a red lip that we will use a different red that will, like, flatter our skin tone. So. But I really like the lips so that it will stay throughout the entire show.

So there's no, like, specific Rockette red that you have to wear. You just pick what you like.

Right. There isn't a specific one, which is so great that we're all individuals and we get to, like, pick what works for us best. But what really is wonderful this year, this Christmas season, we've partnered with qvc, and so they have created this whole line of products that they put together that you can get that Rockette signature look. So make sure you go. And you can check out, if you want, like, a beginner's guide. You know, there's a beautiful red lip that's like that perfect red. We have lashes and. And mascara things that just really can embody the Rockette signature look. So we're really cool.

I noticed the partnership. I'm not a stranger to QVC at all. I was. I have my own bra line on QVC last year called the Gem Bra, and prior to that, I was the spokesperson for Soma on QVC for two years.

Oh, wow. I know.

QVC very well.

And I love that QVC is like, you know, QVC and Christmas Spectacular are so synonymous with Christmas. So it really is like this perfect partnership, and we're really excited about it.

Yeah. Okay, cool. So I can kind of link to some of maybe like, the makeup products. Yes, through that.

Yeah.

Okay. And then so we talked about tanning self tanner. So is there any tricks or tips to that, like exfoliate for, you know, anything you want to say like to getting the perfect tanner application especially, like, obviously a regular person isn't going to do showbiz, whatever, but they may just for a holiday party or for New Year's or something, want to have, like, a little bit more of a healthy glow. So, like, what would.

How do you do.

What's the process for that?

Absolutely. So I always exfoliate the skin. That's a very important prep skill step to just get the skin ready and so it's ready for that beautiful bronze glow. I always wear rubber gloves as well. So you don't get tanner on your hands because you don't want to have, like, you know, that orange tanner. Orange palms. Yes, we don't want that. And then I do like to put just a little bit of lotion on, like the really dry spots, like the feet, the knees, the elbows, the wrists, just to have a little bit extra moisture in those. Those extra dry spots. But then I make sure to wash my hands and then I put my gloves on, and it really is just about blending the tanner, you know, making sure you're really rubbing it in and you can get that beautiful, like, holiday glow even though it's cold in winter time. Yeah, I think those are, like, things I would definitely recommend when it comes to.

And how about, like, anything for teeth? Like, do you guys do, like, a teeth whitening regimen or anything like that?

I have used Crest white strips before.

Okay.

Probably once a year now. And they're really. I really love press by strips. I think they're a fantastic product. So they do add to that, you know, with the self tanner and a white strip, it really will make, you know, your. Your face pop and you give that, you know, gorgeous Rockette red lip, and then you're really, like, ready to go.

And then what about you mentioned lashes? Is that, like, always a thing is like false strip lashes or how, you know, what's the tip for that?

Yeah, we all wear false lashes. And I personally like the. I like the duo brush on lash, too, for me, because it gives a really nice fine line onto the lashes and Then you just let it set for, like, 30 seconds before you put your lash on. I feel like it really is the easiest way to put a lash on, and it really stays. And that's obviously very important in our, you know, throughout the Christmas spectacular, as we're sweating, we don't want our lashes to come off. So. Yeah, I really love that.

Yeah, that's true, too. I didn't even think about that. Like, you were basically, like, working out on stage the entire time. So, like, what's the sweatproof makeup? You know, tip.

So setting spray, whatever setting spray you love. I always put a setting spray. That's the last step I always do before I go on stage is use a setting spray, because that really does make a difference for us. You know, we also have ragdoll cheeks that we wear. Sorry For Rag Dolls and for Pray to Win Soldiers, which is put on with a double stick tag. So you want to make sure that that tape does not leave a mark on your face. So that setting spray really does set the makeup so that it also doesn't, like, take off any of your makeup when you take those. The double stick cheeks off. Right.

I didn't realize. Like, I do remember that scene, but I didn't realize they were, like, stuck.

On or it's like they're fabric cheeks that we put on with double stick tape, and then we can. So it's easy to take off and on because our changes are so fast. So. So we don't have time to put, like, makeup on and take it off and put our blush back on.

Oh, yeah. So that was the other stat. And my friend that posted this, actually, she's the Cuddle Duds person for qvc. So that was. She was like. She's a QVC person. So she was at the show, I.

Guess it was yesterday.

So she said something about 78 seconds.

Word change, correct? Yes. Our fastest change is 78 seconds, and it's from Parade of the Wooden Soldiers into New York, our New York at Christmas number. And there's a lot of things we have to take off and put on. So it's a really, really quick change. But we incredible dressers that help us. Everything's choreographed backstage just as much as it is on stage. And that's actually a really fun fact that people don't know, like, the choreography backstage for us to do these. These quick changes. And it really is like magic backstage that happens. And then we come on stage all of a sudden, and we're in a different costume. Right.

And anything for, like, hair, nails, Stuff like that.

You know, hair is. Is also individual for everybody, but I think everyone in general usually wets their hair with just a little bit of water, with a spray bottle, a really nice gel, a good hairspray. Bobby pins are very important whether you have short hair like mine or long hair. And you do that classic French twist that the Rockettes do. You know, bobby pins are very important to really keep the hair in place. And I use bobby pins, quite a lot of bobby pins to secure all of my head pieces, because we have various head pieces throughout the show, so.

Right, yeah, those big head pieces.

And then what about nails? Like, I know it's not super close up because you're on stage, but obviously you wouldn't want to go there with, like, chipped, you know, fingernails. So are there any parameters for nail stuff?

You know, there really are not parameters for nails. You know, we. We love to feel glamorous, so a lot of people will have a nail or. I love nail stickers, personally. I think they're very easy because they don't chip. They're very quick to put on. So that's one of my favorite things. And I love when, like, the holiday, you know, nail stickers come out because they're Christmassy and fun. They match my costumes.

So any particular brand?

Like, I love Dashing Diva. That's my favorite brand of nail stickers right now. I love the styles and the different varieties that they have on.

Right. And then you can just switch them up really quick without, like, going to the manicurist and spending, like, a ton of time. You don't have a lot of free time, like, during the season.

Exactly. Yes. We are very busy with, you know, doing a lot of shows during season, doing PRs, doing TV appearances, things like that, which is really, really incredible.

And you're rehearsing in between, I'd imagine, or not really so much. Once the shows start, is the rehearsal kind of, like, done or.

Rehearsals? Yeah, rehearsals are finished. Once we start shows, we are just doing shows, but we do do extra rehearsals for TV appearances, like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or tree lighting, things like that. So we do have extra rehearsals for things like that on top of our show schedule. But once we open the shows, we are just doing the shows, which is actually one of my favorite things, is just to be able to do the shows and see the audience and the cute kids on stage in the audience, and it just really is wonderful.

And then I just actually did, like, I talked about wearing, like, I've done a couple things on High heels, right? Like numbing spray for feet or even like some people get Botox in their heels. Obviously you're dancing in heels, right? Like, pretty much, yep. Is there anything that you do to try to help your feet? Like, how do your feet not hurt all day?

You know, they hurt all day.

Honestly.

Advil.

Advil, yes. Advil does help the inflammation in the body, you know, and we do have a wonderful team here that helps take care of us. But, you know, for our heels, we wear three inch heels and we change. You know, for our nine numbers throughout the show, we have a different heel for each number, which is really fantast. Oh, wow. Beautiful shoes. But I, I do like to put like a little like the sole that has a little cushion.

Oh, the cushions, Yeah.

I usually put a little like a cushion sole into my heels so that it does make it just a little more comfortable and soft for me as I'm throughout the spectacular. Yeah.

Are the shoes like custom made for you?

They are custom made. They're heels. Yes.

Yes. We all have our individual. Yeah. Shoes. Yeah, they're really. That's better. Gorgeous, gorgeous. Fantastic shoes to dance. Right?

Because I was going to say it's not like you're pulling like Steve Madden ones on the rack trying to dance in them.

No, absolutely. Yeah. And one of my favorite Laduca shoes that we have is, it's like a crystallized heel with Swarovski crystals and it's the fur. And we wear it in our Dance of the Frost Fairies, which is our new lyrical number in the Christmas Spectacular this year.

Oh, I can't wait.

Yeah. And the Rockettes. We become these beautiful, fantastical winged fairies that come out at the first snow that happens during winter. And we dance alongside fairy drones that are flying over the audience. And it really is this beautiful combination of artistry and technology coming together within the show. So it really is a really beautiful number and I'm so excited for more audiences to come and see our Dance of the Frost.

Yes. I can't wait. I'm coming at the end of December, actually.

Fantastic.

Can't wait to see it, get it together before then.

So, you know, I understand it's a busy time, but we're just happy that you'll be coming to the show.

Yeah, yeah, it's. I used to try to. I used to take my daughter every year, but then I moved upstate and now we have four kids and it's like, not as easy to transport. So it's just going to be myself and a friend and the. And the. My Two daughters.

Okay.

So. Because I don't think the boys are, like, super interested. Although I try to sell them. I'm like, the dancing Santas are, like, amazing, you know.

But.

Absolutely.

I mean, I do feel like the Christmas Spectacular, you know, is for everybody, any age. You know, they get to really come and enjoy the show. And Santa's is a really fun number. I actually get to come through the audience in that number. And so I love seeing all the kids faces and we get to tell them to be good for goodness sake. You know, we're singing to them and they get really excited to see all these Santas.

Well, I think it's like people in general, like, the Spectacular is really, like, synonymous with the Rockettes, you know, so it's like they think it's a show of, like, dancing or whatever, which it is. But there's so much more to it.

Absolutely. I mean, the Christmas Spectacular is Christmas in New York. When people think of celebrating Christmas in New York, the Christmas Spectacular is Christmas. Totally.

Totally. It's one of my favorites. I love it. I can't wait to come again. And I'm excited. There's a new number. The other thing I just wanted to ask you is, do you have a personal life? Like, how do you. How do you have a personal life? You know what I mean?

You know, I have a husband at home. I've been married a long time, and he's so wonderful. He really takes care of me during the season because we are just exhausted, and he just is so wonderful. He has dinner waiting for me when I come home, which is so wonderful. But it is hard to be social during the season because we are so busy. I do have a lot of friends and family that come to see the show, which is always so fun for people to come and support you. And, you know, I'm living my dream, so it really is an incredible thing. And you know, our. The women in the line are all. We all come from different backgrounds. We have a lot of our cats who are mothers that have children. They get to come see their mom on stage, which I can imagine is just so, so special for them.

So cool.

Yeah. Yeah.

Because I was just curious. I mean, like, down during the rest of the year, are you doing other jobs or like.

Yeah, we do. A lot of us get to do different things throughout the year, different dance performances. Some of us are fitness instructors, you know, some of us. Things like that. But we do a lot throughout the season as Rockettes as well, throughout the year, which is really fantastic. You know, we get to do a lot of different performances and special appearances. And so it really is like a year round job, which really is incredible. But the Christmas season is our time, right? Yeah.

This is crunch time here.

Radio City is the only place in the world that you can see the Christmas Spectacular. It really is a beautiful, immersive experience. The audience is transported into a magical winter wonderland. And I hope that everyone comes to see the Christmas Spectacular. Get your tickets@rockettes.com or here in New York City at the Radio City box office. It really is a beautiful show. It's a limited run, so make sure you get your tickets. We run until January 2nd.

January 2nd. Okay. I was just going to ask you that.

So we are open.

Well, thank you so much. This was awesome and super fun and excited to write it up.

Absolutely. Thank you so much for having me. I really enjoyed talking to you today.

Yeah, nice talking to you too. Thank you so much. And everybody, you have been listening to Visible Panty Lines, the podcast. A new episode drops the first three Sundays of every month. Thanks for tuning in and we'll see you next week.