{"id":43972,"date":"2018-11-26T13:12:04","date_gmt":"2018-11-26T13:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jomec.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=43972"},"modified":"2018-11-27T14:23:36","modified_gmt":"2018-11-27T14:23:36","slug":"cardiff-character-gemma-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jomec.co.uk\/altcardiff\/culture\/cardiff-character-gemma-smith","title":{"rendered":"Cardiff Character: Gemma Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gemma is an administrator by day and a saucy burlesque dancer by night, and she\u2019s planning on dancing on every stage that will have her<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"burlesque\"

One of Gemma\u2019s acts as Prince John of Disney\u2019s Robin Hood. Photo courtesy of ohhkimmi<\/p><\/div>\n

In a cold studio above a shop on City Road, 24 year-old Gemma Rose Smith is rehearsing her dance routine. <\/span><\/p>\n

She puts the heating on, prepares the space, and strips down. <\/span><\/p>\n

Gemma, aka Hadria Hellbound, is here to enjoy her favourite hobby – burlesque dancing. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to make my hobby my career because it will drive me up the wall,\u201d she says, \u201cburlesque is my little escape.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Surrounded by poles and mirrors, she puts her 6-inch heels on and plays music on a large speaker. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gemma explains: \u201cIf I have a shit day at work, I come home and throw myself at a pole.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Natural hermit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gemma\u2019s been on stage with big names in the burlesque industry and as much as she enjoys it, she’s happy to keep it as a side project. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe day after a show I chill and do nothing- it\u2019s the glitter crash and the adrenaline come down. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be awake until 2 am and then I\u2019ll be dead to the world,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n