Episode 9: Cheetahs Hollywood
In this episode of YAS Podcast, AM Davies (they/them) sits down with former Cheetahs dancers Malice (she/her) and Teddy (they/them) to unpack what happens when a strip club abruptly changes ownership and the workers are left behind. Recorded remotely during the early days of the COVID-19 shutdown, the conversation explores the sudden closure of Cheetahs in Hollywood, the club’s transition to new management, and the impact on dancers who lost their jobs overnight.
Malice and Teddy describe how Cheetahs once fostered an eclectic, arts-driven environment known for inclusive events, alternative aesthetics, and community-building. When new management took over, the club’s culture shifted dramatically, introducing high house fees, mandatory tip-outs, restrictive contracts, and exploitative labor practices. The dancers break down how California’s AB5 law and employee classification changes affected their pay structure — including clubs claiming lap dance revenue as “house services” and taking significant cuts from dancers’ earnings.
Beyond their personal stories, the episode centers on organizing, labor rights, and collective power in the strip club industry. Malice and Teddy discuss their involvement with worker organizing efforts and emphasize the importance of dancers communicating with each other, understanding contracts, and taking action together rather than individually.
The episode also highlights broader issues in the strip club industry, including discrimination based on appearance, race, and body type, and the ongoing need for reform. With humor, honesty, and practical stripper tips, this conversation offers insight into labor exploitation, unionization, and what it means for dancers to reclaim power in an evolving industry.
Read the full transcript