Named Starlet Division 1st Runner-Up at last year’s EDI West competition, Spyder reflects on her transformation and returning to the EDI stage in 2026.
(Note: This article appears in the January 2026 issue of ED Magazine.)
Spyder’s commitment to growth and learning as a rising feature entertainer has significantly contributed to her transformation over the last two years. With the understanding that evolution is part of the job, she sharpens her identity and refines her shows with each appearance, making her someone to watch in the 2026 competition season.
She describes her stage identity as a storyteller, an athlete and a seductress, weaving the three together to create moments audiences won’t soon forget. Closely aligned with her true self, it’s a persona that can’t be labeled as manufactured.
“Who I am onstage is an extension of who I am offstage,” she says. “Passionate, creative and always pushing for growth.”
That philosophy carries directly into how she defines her brand, which she describes as Classic Burlesque presented with a whole lot of class and a sprinkle of “hey y’all.” Her look is eloquent and intentional, blending Jazz Age glamour with modern-day pole allure.
Her journey as a feature entertainer didn’t emanate from a single moment, but from several distinct experiences that demonstrated what was possible.
“Inspiration came in waves during different events I was blessed to be a part of in 2024 and 2025,” she says. “The biggest draw was knowing I could combine my love for performing, my desire to create and my eagerness to travel into one big, exciting package.”
When it comes to putting together her shows, the best moment for Spyder is when everything comes together, and she gets to share what she made with an audience. Her commitment to producing high-quality performances is evident in the details, as she invests time into crafting visuals that reinforce her aesthetic and brand.
“I’m looking forward to bringing a more improved version of myself to the stage this year.”
— Spyder
“I’ve created almost all of my costumes,” she shares, noting the only exception being a headpiece she commissioned from a friend. “One of my many goals is to continue improving on my costumes. Props are something I’m also challenging myself to create this year.”
As with many feature entertainers, competition played a defining role in shaping her confidence as a dancer. She describes her first contest, an amateur pole and feature competition in Peoria, Illinois, as “eye-opening,” which hardly sums up her nerve-wracking experience.
“I was so nervous that I actually threw up in my mouth while at the top of their 25-foot pole,” she admits.
Despite her rough start, Spyder had a positive competition experience that wrapped up with unexpected results. Not only did she meet her “favorite person,” Serenity Valentine, but she was also awarded first place.
Things only improved from there, with her “Vanity” set at last year’s EDI West competition earning her Starlet Division 1st Runner-Up. Now, as Spyder prepares for the 2026 EDI West competition, her goal is clear.
“I’m looking forward to bringing a more improved version of myself to the stage this year,” she says. “I learned so much from some of the most talented and amazing humans in the industry last year,” she explains, adding that she is determined to honor and apply that knowledge to her performances.
She doesn’t present herself as a finished product, but as a feature entertainer who understands that growth is part of the value she brings.
When asked to imagine her career two or three years from now, Spyder keeps her vision simple and grounded: “Thriving, abundant and secure.”
For more information, follow @dncingspyder on Instagram or Facebook. Book directly at info@dncingspyder.com.
