Dita Von Teese 'Pussycat Dolls Were Not Burlesque'

Dita Von Teese says she is glad the Pussycat Dolls gave up their burlesque act and became a girlgroup.

Von Teese, who herself is a burlesque artist, says that the Pussycat dolls did not do genuine burlesque act - which is being a stripper, and it "drives her crazy" when people use the term loosely.

"I think it's really great they decided to become a pop group and they've left the pseudo-burlesque alone," she told Inked.

"It drives me crazy when the media or groups like the Pussycat Dolls try to sanitise and take away the sexual and nudity aspects of burlesque."

"I'm sorry, but if you're not up there taking your clothes off and dancing around in pasties and a G-string, it's not burlesque."

"It can be cabaret, or it can be cute and funny and retro-showgirly, but it's not burlesque. They were strippers, and that's the way it was."