The Outlook Podcast Archive - The schoolgirl fraudster who found redemption in ballroom

Download The schoolgirl fraudster who found redemption in ballroom

Shannon Balenciaga was a fashion-obsessed teen who found herself in prison after cooking up a multi-million dollar fraud scheme. Living behind bars at such a young age, she thought her life was over. But then she discovered ballroom, an underground scene that first emerged in New York City when gay and trans people of colour, fed up of being marginalised in pageants, created their own. They formed alternative families, or ‘houses,’ and competed against each other in balls. Now, as head of the House of Balenciaga, Shannon is a legend in ballroom culture where she mentors a new generation of performers.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Maryam Maruf

Picture: Shannon Balenciaga
Credit: Carieo Crenshaw

Published on Tuesday, 7th September 2021.

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