Margaret Cho is the ultimate Renaissance woman, renowned for her multifaceted talents across various fields. As a stand-up comedian, Cho has taken bold steps to address both social and political issues through her comedic routines, becoming a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Beyond comedy, she is also a talented musician, having released three impactful albums that showcase her musical versatility. Cho’s acting career includes notable performances, such as her memorable three-episode arc as Kim Jong-il on 30 Rock, and her critically acclaimed role in the dramatic film <em>All That We Love</em>, which earned top ratings from Collider for her extraordinary performance in 2024. While these accomplishments could serve as inspiration for many, for American Pickers star Danielle Colby, it is Cho’s passion for burlesque that has sparked her creativity.
How Margaret Cho Transformed Burlesque into an Empowering Art for Danielle Colby, also Known as Dannie Diesel
Colby, hailing from Davenport, Iowa, reflects on her childhood, describing it as “a very loving but strict household” rooted in the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Despite her early interest in burlesque that blossomed around the age of 10 to 12, her upbringing painted this art form as something taboo, leading her to suppress her fascination for years. However, everything changed in 2004 when she attended Cho’s variety show The Sensuous Woman in Chicago. This spectacular event, which featured a vibrant mix of comics, singers, dancers, and striptease artists, reignited Colby’s passion for burlesque, now stronger than ever. She describes the experience as transformative, stating:
“What I realized after I left that event was how absolutely liberating it was, to be in a room with women on stage who were ranging from a size zero to a size of, easily, 28 – all different types of women, with all different strengths… That’s the feeling I left with, and it was life-changing, and at that point I knew I wanted to do it [burlesque].”
Colby began her journey in burlesque by enrolling in classes, which eventually led her to take on the role of instructor, teaching others the art of burlesque. The idea of forming a local burlesque troupe began to take shape in her mind, but she faced skepticism and lack of support from friends and family regarding her ambitions. “Oh yeah, people thought I was insane,” she candidly admits in an interview with River Cities’ Reader. However, as any true fan of American Pickers would know, Colby is not one to be deterred by others’ opinions. Shortly thereafter, she successfully established a professional performing group called Burlesque Le’ Moustache, adopting the stage name Dannie Diesel, a moniker she continues to embrace to this day.
How a Serious Health Challenge Temporarily Sidetracked Dannie Diesel’s Burlesque Career
Colby has been remarkably transparent about the profound impact that burlesque has had on her personal journey, emphasizing how it has empowered her to cultivate a healthier relationship with her body and her sexuality. She reflects on her experiences, sharing how this art form has taught her valuable lessons about the woman she wants to be as well as the woman she does not want to embody. However, life threw an unexpected curveball her way.
In a heartfelt Instagram video shared in December 2024, Colby revealed that she was compelled to cancel her upcoming burlesque performances for the foreseeable future due to a serious family health issue, which understandably alarmed her fans. It wasn’t until April 19, 2025, that she announced her triumphant return to the stage as Dannie Diesel, confessing that she was the one grappling with the health challenge.
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As American Pickers prepares to go on a six-month hiatus, an unprecedented break for the cast in over 15 years, Colby is seizing this moment to establish a museum dedicated to burlesque and the fascinating “ecdysiast arts.” As Colby explains, the term “ecdysiast” is a vintage word referring to performers in the nude arts, including strippers and burlesque artists. Interestingly, her day job on American Pickers has serendipitously aided her passion for burlesque history, as she has encountered remarkable costumes from the past. This includes an original costume from the 1890s Lillie Langtry worn in the Follies Bergere in Paris, a banana skirt believed to have belonged to the legendary Josephine Baker, and a collection of bras from the iconic April March, known as “the First Lady of Burlesque,” as previously reported by Fox News.
Colby’s mission is to inspire other women, just as she was inspired by Margaret Cho through her performances as Dannie Diesel, and by preserving the treasures of the past. She passionately states, “It would be a shame if this history featuring all of these strong, talented, amazing women were lost because of the shame of being a striptease artist, because there’s no shame in that. It’s a beautiful art.” Looking ahead, who knows? Perhaps she will even inspire Cho to take on the role of a picker in the upcoming 28th Season of American Pickers when filming resumes in January 2026.
