| Veronica Varlow | |
| Birth Name: | Tara Lee |
| Birth Place: | Florida, U.S. |
| Known For: | Burlesque, acting, modeling |
Veronica Varlow is an American burlesque dancer, pin-up model, author, actress, producer, and performance artist based in Brooklyn, New York.
Varlow began her performance career after being attacked by a dog in December 2003. Determined to not condemn herself to a meaningless life, she left her cubicle life behind and started performing worldwide.[1]
Varlow has performed internationally as one of Emilie Autumn's Bloody Crumpets as "The Naughty Veronica" since 2007.[2] Varlow has performed for events held by designer Marc Jacobs, supermodel Heidi Klum, The Whitney Museum, and best-selling novelist Melissa de la Cruz. The Gothamist said of her, "Veronica Varlow courts danger, or, at the very least, projects an image of a siren so alluring you simply can't resist her, even when you know you're headed straight for hell (or jail)." In 2013, she was named one of the 12 "Hottest Ladies of Burlesque" alongside performers such as Bettie Page, Lili St. Cyr, and Sherry Britton.[3]
Veronica Varlow is a witch descended from five generations of Czech-Romani witches. She calls upon the ancient and hidden Czech-Romani magic passed down from her grandmother Helen’s lineage and infuses it with her own signature sorcery to help people awaken and amplify their truest self.[4]
On November 2, 2021, Varlow released her first book, Bohemian Magick: Witchcraft and Secret Spells to Electrify Your Life, through HarperCollins.[4] [5]
Bohemian Magick begins with a step-by-step course in Varlow’s method of spellcasting, The School of Spectaculus, and includes art, illustrations, and photography. It offers advice on setting the intention of a spell, how to imbue the words and spell itself with a personal signature, and how to send it out to the world with great power. The book offers a series of initiations, each devoted to a particular theme: self-confidence, healing self-empowerment, self-love, and romantic love. It’s filled with personal stories and tales from the Witch Camps she holds every summer. [4]
In the fall of 2008, Varlow participated as a coach for Andrea Martin in MTV's Emmy-winning show, MADE. She appeared in the 2009 film Exposed[6] and in the 2010 short documentary Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art School by Peter Bolte.[7]
She featured in Emilie Autumn's music video for the song "Fight Like A Girl" in 2013.
On October 31, 2020, Varlow married David Garfinkel,[8] with whom she runs a coven at the Chelsea Hotel in NYC.[9]
She currently resides in Brooklyn[10] and also owns a house in Woodstock, NY called Curiosa (affectionately referred to as "Magic House")[11] where she runs yearly Witch Camp retreats.