Margaret Cho is a true Renaissance figure. As a stand-up comedian, she has tackled various social and political topics in her performances and is a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to her comedy, Cho has released three music albums and showcased her acting skills, notably with her role as Kim Jong-il on 30 Rock and her acclaimed performance in All That We Love, which received high praise from Collider in 2024. While her varied talents could inspire many, for American Pickers star Danielle Colby, it was Cho’s passion for burlesque that sparked her inspiration.
Margaret Cho Revolutionized Burlesque for Danielle Colby, AKA Dannie Diesel
Colby was raised in Davenport, Iowa, in a “very loving but strict household” as a Jehovah’s Witness. Although she developed an interest in burlesque around the age of 10 or 12, her upbringing made her view the art form as taboo, leading her to put that fascination aside. However, in 2004, Colby attended Cho’s variety show The Sensuous Woman in Chicago, where the diverse performances reignited her passion for burlesque, stronger than ever, as she reflected:
“What I realized after I left that event was how absolutely liberating it was, to be in a room with women on stage who were ranging from a size zero to a size of, easily, 28 – all different types of women, with all different strengths… That’s the feeling I left with, and it was life-changing, and at that point I knew I wanted to do it [burlesque].”
She started by taking classes, which led to her teaching burlesque. Colby considered forming a local burlesque troupe, but faced skepticism from friends and family. “Oh yeah, people thought I was insane,” she noted in the River Cities’ Reader, but — as any fan of American Pickers would know — Colby is not easily swayed by others’ opinions. Shortly after, she established a professional troupe, Burlesque Le’ Moustache, adopting the stage name Dannie Diesel, which she continues to use.
A Health Scare Took Dannie Diesel Offstage
Colby has openly discussed how burlesque has aided her personal growth, enabling her to foster a healthier relationship with her body and sexuality, teaching her “about what I don’t want to be and what I do want to be.” However, life had other challenges in store for Colby.
In a December 2024 Instagram video, Colby revealed that she was forced to cancel her upcoming burlesque shows due to a family health issue, which alarmed her fans. It wasn’t until April 19th, 2025, that Colby shared she was returning to the stage as Dannie Diesel after admitting she was the one facing health challenges.
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As American Pickers prepares for a six-month hiatus, the first significant break for the cast in over 15 years, Colby plans to open a museum dedicated to burlesque and the “ecdysiast arts” (as Colby describes, “‘ecdysiast’ is an old-timey term for peeler, stripper, burlesque — anyone involved in the nude arts”). Interestingly, her role on American Pickers has enriched her appreciation for burlesque history. She has discovered remarkable costumes from the past, including a 1890s Lillie Langtry costume from the Follies Bergere in Paris, a banana skirt thought to have belonged to Josephine Baker, and several bras from the renowned April March, known as the “First Lady of Burlesque” (per the previously mentioned Fox News).
Her mission is to inspire other women, mirroring the inspiration she drew from Margaret Cho, through her performances as Dannie Diesel and by preserving the treasures of the past, stating, “It would be a shame if this history featuring all of these strong, talented, amazing women were lost because of the shame of being a striptease artist, because there’s no shame in that. It’s a beautiful art.” Perhaps she will even motivate Cho to join as a picker for the 28th Season of American Pickers when filming resumes in January 2026.
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