Danielle Colby-Cushman talks American Pickers, opening a burlesque lounge
Danielle Colby-Cushman co-stars on the History Channel series, “American Pickers,” with Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, as the trio share their unique business (Antique Archaeology) with America. Recently she spoke with Media Mikes discussing the show, her background and how the show sort of came together.
Danielle Colby Cushman, American Pickers photo/History Channel
“I met Mike (Wolfe) about 13 or 14 years ago. We actually met at a yard sale. We became friends and hung out a lot after that. I ended up meeting Frank (Fritz) through Mike,” she recalls.
There were struggles getting the show off of the ground, Mike leading the effort, but it was a midnight hour pick-up by the History Channel that changed things.
“The month that I was set to move back Mike came to me and told me I couldn’t move because, we had gotten picked up by the History channel. I was very hungry to get back into make-up artistry which I had done for 14 years but I had this great opportunity that ended up working really well.”
The back and forth, up and down tales of the origins of reality shows isn’t unique.
Once the show was confirmed, Colby-Cushman became an integral part to the Antique Archaeology store. On tour in Iowa, Wolfe revealed one of the key elements she brought to the shop and the show.
“I wanted someone that did not look like they would work in any antique shop because I wanted our show to be looked at in a different way. I wanted people to look at antiques like they’re fun, they’re rad, they’re killer, they’re awesome. I wanted people to know that they didn’t have to have a blue blazer and ten cats to be an antique dealer.”
One of the interesting back stories of Colby-Cushman is her passion for burlesque, having her own troupe (Burlesque le’ Moustache) and aspires to open her own burlesque lounge.
“I will be in the very near future opening up a burlesque lounge,” she tells Media Mikes. “It’s going to be called “Diesel Lounge” and it will feature burlesque and cabaret music. There will be a lot of fun stuff going on there.”
Check out the full interview here.
“American Pickers” broadcasts Mondays at 9pm on the History Channel. More here.
