Performer, model, and all-around chameleon Xena Zeit-Geist can don a wig and some jaw-dropping special FX makeup and become a different person in an instant. Her innate ability to embody each character she portrays might be why she identifies as a “professional shapeshifter.”
Xena is a burlesque performer and produces the most popular “nerdlesque” shows in New Orleans with her troupe The Society of Sin. She’s also a writer and SAG-AFTRA actor who rounded out her 2020 filming in a new movie called Outrageous. You may have even seen her on the TNT TV show Claws playing the “white-haired stripper.”
Lately though, you can catch her on social media in one of her impressive, eclectic and compelling self-photoshoots.
“Because I produced so many shows pre-pandemic and was responsible for all of the marketing for those shows, I feel kind of lucky since I had already invested in a nice camera and lighting setup. I was already working on building my photography portfolio so I had a lot of the stuff I needed to transition to high-quality photography and videography shoots.”
With followers nearing 19K on Instagram and 16K on Tik Tok, you can see why she’s popular. Xena can cosplay any character, regardless of gender, and transform herself from a demure schoolgirl to a domineering demon; She’s got range.
Even just looking at Xena’s photos you can see that she’s got acting chops. She’s able to convey vulnerability and strength, sometimes in a single look.
Before the pandemic, Xena’s performance schedule was packed to the brim. It wasn’t uncommon for her to perform two, even three gigs a night. Dashing out mid-show to race from one venue to the next, with costumes and sparkly props in tow.
“I really miss the feeling of being onstage with a live audience, and I almost equally miss being backstage with performers and the special bond you develop with your castmates.”
Though Xena has felt the absence of live performance over the past year, she definitely sees the positives that a slower pace lifestyle can bring.
“I’ve always been extremely introverted, so there are parts of the pandemic that were unexpectedly good for me. It has really drawn my attention to the ways I was burning myself out and not giving myself adequate rest time.”
Staying at home has also allowed Xena the opportunity to pursue creative outlets that she wouldn’t normally have time for with her pre-Covid schedule.
“I started an OnlyFans a few months ago, and have been working on a Dungeons & Dragons-inspired Choose-Your-Own-Adventure striptease video series called ‘Roll for Seduction’ that’s been super fun.”
In the last week alone, multiple articles have come out on how Dungeons & Dragons (often referred to as D&D) has helped improve people’s mental health during the pandemic.
Xena has been able to use D&D as a creative outlet and has been conceptualizing characters using the game as inspiration. Bringing those characters to life in photos and videos has even allowed her to recoup some of her lost income while having to stay home.
@xenazeitgeistMy entry from the #patreoncreatorsgrant I hate talking about myself so I made my #dndocs do it for me #patreon #patreoncreator #cosplayer #dndtiktok♬ original sound – Xena Zeit-Geist
Cosplay model, Tik Tok creator and even teacher are all roles Xena has found herself fulfilling since the pandemic began. Xena’s Youtube video “Get Sparkly AF! Rhinestones 101” is like an epic bedazzling for beginners guide.
Xena teaches you what adhesives to use, gems to buy and how much a “gross” of rhinestones even is. 20 minutes of this tutorial and you’ll be encrusting in no time.
No matter what role she plays, Xena brings her unique presence and ingenuity to it.
“Creativity is one of my greatest gifts, and I think it’s crucial that people with creative gifts use them or the world becomes a more depressing place.”
One other project that allowed Xena to express herself was the Creative Capsule powered by Elektra Cosmetics. Launched in April 2020, the Creative Capsule was a way to continue to collaborate with artists and performers and do photoshoots from a safe distance. Each contributor was given a care package and curated kit to help inspire them to create.
“I was extremely excited to play with everything in the kit and just to try stuff out. I really like being able to improvise and not knowing how things are going to turn out. It was a great project for me.”
Xena is using Elektra’s Power Pigments Blue Bayou, Bywater Blue, Lapis, and Royal. See below for the product links.
“I do really well with creative prompts of some kind. I tend to have about one million different ideas a day and spend too much time feeling overwhelmed and unsure of which one to actually pursue. Having some parameters to work within is really good for me.”
But creating in the time of Covid isn’t all fun lip syncing videos and dressing up in cosplay. Though Xena has transitioned well to the online space since the pandemic started, the internet is still a very difficult and even dangerous medium to navigate.
“The internet poses some real problems: trolls and social media platforms policing how much skin you can show and a lot of inconsistencies of censorship practices. Having to rely solely on the internet to promote my online work has not been a delight.”
Years before banned Instagram accounts became a part of political outrage, professional burlesque performers have had to work around social media algorithms or risk being “shadowbanned” and losing out on their livelihood.
“It’s frustrating having my viewership restricted on most of my social media accounts. I don’t tend to show a lot of skin on social media and have never done anything to violate Terms of Service. Still, I’ve run into a lot of issues online in the past few years.”
Though Xena herself doesn’t do explicit content, she is a vocal advocate for sex workers and has even started a podcast featuring interviews with talented folks who have worked in taboo industries.
Obscene Talent is a way that Xena can profile other accomplished industry folks while taking a backseat to performing.
“I definitely think that there are times that are not mine to be in the spotlight, but I think that there are also ways to use your platform and what you’ve built creatively to support people and causes you believe in.”
And Obscene Talent seems to be the perfect medium for that support. Adding podcastor to her resume proves that Xena’s creative hustle doesn’t stop just because performing has been put on pause.
You know what they say: there’s no rest for the wicked. And Xena, the Queen of Obscene, certainly can play wicked…or chast. It all depends on the costume.
If you love a creative prompt as much as Xena does, click here to purchase a Creative Capsule and start your own inspirational journey.
Click here to join “The Extra, Extra” and receive emails about other unapologetically creative folks like Xena. Each week we feature another Elektralyte who inspires us and we find out how they have continued on with their creative self-care despite Covid.
