While attending a photography class at Metro Campus, a self portrait for a final project “took on a life of it’s own,” says Edmonton-based performance artist Madeleine Horn.

“I had so much fun. Getting carried away with dolling myself up and posing.”

Since that first foray in front of the camera in 2004, Madeleine has made many appearances in front of the camera, but also an audience.

“It’s no secret that I was a stripper for a few years while I started modeling. I loved being on stage, and many of the models who inspired me were performers who started out as strippers as well,” she explains. “I was always told my show was so unique and different from the other strippers, and I knew that wasn’t where I belonged. I don’t regret it at all though because there is something about the way you move your body that you can only really learn from stripping. All the greats were strippers: Dita Von Teese, Kalani Kokonuts, Masuimi Max.”

Paving the way for a new kind of performance art, Madeleine, globally known as “The Worlds 1st Heavy Metal Model” adds her own unique style to the traditional burlesque shows.

“My specialties are aerial work and fire-eating, but I have other shows that don’t involve either. I have a candle wax and knives show, a show called ‘Necrophilia’ where I give a skeleton a sexy lap dance and, of course, the infamous ‘Ritual,’ which was a one time only show for this year’s Slaughterfest. Yes, it was real blood and yes it was HUMAN blood,” she reveals.

Is modeling something you had always wanted to do?

I think every little girl has their “I wanna be a model” stage, but in the larger sense, not really. I always knew I wanted to do something where I was the center of attention, it just took me a while to figure out what it was.

Where do you find inspiration for your live shows?

Sometimes it’s a particularly entrancing song; a lot of the time it’s from fashion shows like Alexander McQueen and John Galliano. Basically, anything evil and dark, yet sophisticated and glamourous.

How much time do you spend rehearsing for shows?

I practice everyday I can, whether I have a show coming up or not. Usually about six to 12 hours a week.

Where do you get your outfits for the shows?

I have a wonderful costumier: Elise (Truong) of Sweet Carousel. She is amazing! I usually help out with the making of my costumes, though. I have a very specific aesthetic, so I like to be hands on.

What are your things about performing live?

It’s hard to simplify but I like experimenting with different things to get the crowd going. I love the give and take of working with an audience’s energy; its usually very rewarding. Having all eyes on me doesn’t hurt either, it’s extremely empowering.

You’ve performed at a fair few metal shows; how did this all start?

It seems to be the only place I fit in in Alberta. My music is usually metal, and my themes are always a little satanic, so I don’t really fit in with your average burlesque show and there aren’t many fetish events out here. I’m also friends with many of the bands, so it seems normal to just do shows with friends. I think people are happy to have something new to break up the average metal show, as well.

What is it about your performances that lend themselves well to metal shows?

All of my shows are dark and sexy. 80 per cent of the metal scene is men, so they love the sexy part, and I think the women like it because I actually have a talent. I’m not just taking off my clothes, not to mention I’m probably the only girl that can strip to black metal!

What is one of the weirdest or most unusual events you’ve ever performed at?

Probably the Cancer Benefit at The Mead Hall last year. It was some comedy act, a lesbian rock-type singer, and a really conservative cutesy burlesque troupe. I really didn’t fit in, but it was still fun.

How about your modeling work – have you appeared in ads that you never thought would go with your style?

Well, yes, I’ve gotten a lot of pin-up work, but pin-up is huge right now so I think anyone who’s in the industry ends up doing pin-up shoots. I love vintage glamour, and I can bring my own spin on just about anything I do though.

Where else does your modeling work appear?

I’m working on building my own site right now and building content for a future members site. My modeling work is mostly Internet based; it would be a long list, so just Google me and you can pretty much find out what panties I wore yesterday.

What are some of the challenges in marketing yourself as a heavy metal model?

Just the jealousy, but I don’t care because the more people talk about me, whether it’s good or bad, the more power they give me.

How do you go about promoting your work?

I do a lot of it myself. I have brought on a manager, but I haven’t really noticed it taking a huge weight off like I thought. I’m still up until 3 a.m. sending out pictures, interviews, and press packs almost every night.

You’re attending this year’s Halloween party at the Playboy Mansion. Are you performing or just there to party?

I found a link to the website Halloween09Event.com and found a page that you can apply for free tickets. In the application, you have to send pictures and a little bit about yourself, so I applied and wrote a little about what I do and a link to my website, Madeleine-Horn.com, not really thinking anything would come of it. The next day I had a message in my inbox asking if I was interested in performing. The next thing I knew I was being flow to L.A. to scout out the best places to do my performance at The Playboy Mansion. I still don’t think it’s hit me. 10, 000 girls have applied for free passes and only about 100 have been considered. I’m the only one that has been considered for anything more. In my wildest dreams, and I have big ones, I never could have imagined that this would happen to me.

If you weren’t modeling/performing, what do you think you would be doing?

Probably a veterinarian travelling the world rescuing and helping abused animals. I think when I’m too old to model or perform I’ll probably get into volunteer work with PETA or WSPA, or even start my own animal rescue group.