199: The Last Real Showgirl Diane Christiansen

In this unforgettable episode, I sit down with Diane Christiansen—former Las Vegas showgirl, award-winning acting coach, and author of The Last Real Showgirl—to talk about what it really means to live a bold, creative, and unapologetically authentic life.

Diane’s story reads like a Hollywood script (and honestly, it should be one). From dancing under the bright lights of Vegas in million-dollar costumes to coaching breakout stars on hit shows like Stranger Things, The Penguin, and This Is Us, she’s done it all—with grace, grit, and a ton of sequins.

Here’s what we dive into:

• The real, behind-the-scenes life of a Las Vegas showgirl in the ‘70s (spoiler: not like the movies)

• Why Diane turned down a Playboy centerfold at 17—and how discipline shaped her path

• The myth vs. reality of showbiz glamour, sisterhood, and self-worth

• What it means to actually train successful Hollywood actors—and why craft matters

• How Diane wrote her memoir and the dream of turning it into a limited series 

• The wisdom of knowing when to push, and when to pause—and how spirituality and balance fuel Diane’s fire

 

This episode is filled with laughter, truth bombs, and so much inspiration. Diane’s lived a hundred lives in one—and she’s still going strong.

Whether you’re chasing a creative dream, navigating reinvention, or just love a good story about resilience, glamour, and grit—this episode will leave you lit up.

 

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00:00 Introducing Diane Christiansen

04:51 Challenges and Triumphs in the Dance World

08:47 Sisterhood and Mentorship

20:00 The Glamour and Reality of Showbiz

35:21 Evolution of Showbiz and Personal Reflections

37:19 The Pressure of Unrealistic Standards

44:31 The Power of Positive Thinking

46:42 Writing the Memoir

55:13 The Realities of Showgirl Life

59:11 Acting Coach and Career Highlights

01:06:23 Reflections and Future Aspirations

 

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Ready to dive even deeper? I’m handing you the keys to the castle! If you loved this episode and want more, don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss out! Let’s stay connected—find me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Connect with Diane Christiansen:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/diane.christiansen.142/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_last_real_showgirl

🎟️ Grab Diane’s book “The Last Real Showgirl” at thelastrealshowgirl.com or wherever books are sold.