How age-defying Dita Von Teese could make £20 MILLION going back to burlesque dancing at 51 & all Vegas’ biggest winners
RENOWNED for her iconic performances inside a giant Champagne glass, the sensational Dita Von Teese is poised to dazzle audiences once more at the age of 51.
The Queen of Burlesque has taken to the stage in Las Vegas with her ruffled robe this month and is set to thrill fans as she reignites her dazzling career.
The stunning dancer and model shows no signs of slowing down as her residency at the Voltaire promises a spectacle of glitz and glam.
And Joseph Hagan, celebrity publicist and owner of Streamline PR, says being back in the spotlight could see her annual earnings increase by up to £20 million – as well as her Vegas stint being a springboard to bigger and better things.
He says: “Dita Von Teese’s return to the Las Vegas stage at 51 shows that age is no barrier to reinvention, especially in a city that celebrates spectacle and glamour.”
She isn’t the only celebrity to use Las Vegas to rake in millions and Joseph says Sin-City has become a “game-changer” for celebrities looking to reinvent themselves.
Here, Yasmin Harisha reveals the host of other stars who have earned fortunes from their residencies and Joseph explains what makes their shows so spectacular.
Lady Gaga
Estimated earnings: £1.2 million per show
Lady Gaga’s residency, Enigma, at the Park MGM Hotel and Casino between 2018 and 2022 helped cement her as one of the most versatile performers of her generation.
Joseph says: “Earning around £1.2 million per show, the residency showcased both her pop persona and her love for jazz, with separate performances for each genre.
“Gaga’s ability to pivot between energetic, theatrical sets and intimate piano ballads highlighted her range and drew in fans from all over the world.
“The residency not only bolstered her earnings but also reaffirmed her status as a top performer post her part in the film, A Star Is Born.”
Jennifer Lopez
Estimated earnings: £659,000 per show
Jennifer Lopez (JLo) used her Vegas residency to solidify her status as an A-list performer.
Her All I Have residency at Planet Hollywood’s Zappos Theatre which ran from 2016 to 2018 grossed £79.1 million across 121 shows, with each performance bringing in just over £659,000.
Joseph says: “J-Lo’s dynamic dance routines and hit-packed performances proved that she was more than capable of competing with younger pop stars.
“The residency also boosted her brand beyond music, positioning her as a top-tier entertainer, and cementing her appeal with a global audience.
“The success has led to talks of future Vegas stints, in addition to numerous TV and acting roles.”
Adele
Estimated earnings: £536,000 per show
Adele‘s Weekends With Adele residency at Caesars Palace between 2022 and 2024 proved that even artists known for their sedate ballads can thrive in Vegas.
Joseph says: “Earning £536,000 per show, her residency gave fans an intimate look at her incredible vocal talent without the need for pyrotechnics or elaborate costumes.
“The show was such a success that Adele extended the run, revealing how the residency ‘brought her back to life.’
“Vegas offered Adele a space to connect more closely with her fans, often having casual chats with the audience, while securing a consistent income stream, further boosting her career.”
Katy Perry
Estimated earnings: £481,000 per show
Katy Perry’s Play residency at Resorts World Theatre, Las Vegas, which kicked off in December 2021, became an instant hit.
With each show earning her around £481,000, the fun, whimsical performances were packed with hits, giant toilet seats, and her infamous Super Bowl shark.
Joseph says: “Perry’s residency was so successful that she extended it multiple times, running until November 2023.
“This Vegas stint helped re-establish her as a must-see live performer, especially after a lull in her music career.
“It reminded fans and critics alike that Katy’s performance art can be both playful and profitable.”
Celine Dion
Estimated earnings: £417,000 per show
At 56, the legendary performer, who has sold over 200 million records globally, first amassed an astonishing £299 million with her spectacular show, A New Day.
Running from March 2003 to December 2007, this groundbreaking production set the benchmark for all who followed, solidifying her status as a true icon of the Las Vegas entertainment scene.
She then returned to the strip in March 2011 for another 70 performances for her show Celine before wrapping up in June 2019.
Joseph says: “Celine Dion’s Vegas residencies have become legendary.
“These aren’t just concerts, they’re full-blown experiences.
“From her jaw-dropping water-soaked performance of ‘My Heart Will Go On’ to the stunning visuals from Cirque du Soleil, Celine has raised the bar for what a Vegas residency can be.
“People come for the hits, but they leave with memories of a spectacular production.
“Even with her recent health struggles, Celine is still in talks for another residency, and that says a lot about both her resilience and how lucrative the Vegas scene really is.
“To think she could pull in over £417,000 per show is incredible, but it also speaks to the magnetic pull she has on audiences. Her name alone fills seats.”
Dita Von Teese
Estimated earnings: £400,000
Dita’s back to bring her signature vintage, sultry aesthetic into the mainstream – following a successful residency in Sin City from October last year to June this year.
Joseph says: “Las Vegas allows her to package her performance art as high-end, classy entertainment, making her accessible to a wider audience who may not have been familiar with burlesque.
“The residency helps position her not just as a burlesque icon, but as a symbol of timeless glamour and sensuality, which has broad appeal in today’s entertainment landscape.
“By embracing the luxury and nostalgia of Vegas, Dita manages to rebrand her art as something more universal, revamping her image and extending her career in a powerful, lucrative way.”
Britney Spears
Estimated earnings: £312,000 per show
As the Princess of Pop, Britney Spears was destined to make waves in Vegas, cementing her place in history.
The two-time Grammy nominee raked in serious cash with her electrifying Piece of Me residency at Planet Hollywood which kicked off in December 2013 and wrapped up in December 2017.
Garnering massive commercial success, it won the Best of Las Vegas awards in 2015 and 2017, and despite being under her controversial conservatorship, Britney is estimated to have banked an impressive £312,000 per show.
Joseph says: “Britney Spears is a Vegas success story that proves a residency isn’t just about vocal perfection it’s about the entire experience.
“Sure, there were critiques about lip-syncing, but her £312,000 per show earnings show how much her fans loved the nostalgia.
“Britney recreated iconic music video moments, and the audience was there for the full entertainment spectacle, lip-syncing aside.”
Why celebrities rely on Vegas to revamp their career
By Joseph Hagan celebrity publicist and owner of Streamline PR
Las Vegas residencies have become a game-changer for celebrities looking to reinvent themselves while raking in millions.
What sets a Vegas residency apart is the ability to transform an artist’s image, while offering a lucrative, stable income.
Celebrities like Usher, who earned an astonishing £93 million from his 100-show residency – more than any of his tours – have used this platform to solidify their status as icons.
His residency not only showcased his enduring popularity but culminated in him landing the prestigious Super Bowl halftime show, proving Vegas can be a career-defining moment.