Show & Tell: Sheila Joy Burford of Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Saloon

Q: When did you start dancing?

A: I was dancing when I was in the womb (laughs). My mom said that. When I was growing up, I had so much energy the pediatrician told my mom to put me in dance class.

Q: You studied dance in college?

A: I went to school for dance and psychology, a double major. ... My thesis in college was (about) helping children with schizophrenia. It was very intense, but it was cool.

Q: Is college when you decided that you want to be a professional dancer?

A: Oh, I didn't choose dance, it chose me. I love it. I don't know why. And I really wanted to be a ballerina, but ballerinas are tall and thin. The weird thing about it is, I remember the day I changed into "I want to be a jazz dancer." It was before college, and I went to the New York City Dance Alliance - it was a summer program - and they're, like, "Take your bun out." And I took my bun out and I was, like, "I don't want to do ballet anymore."

Q: The bun was holding you back.

A: Yeah (laughs)! Throw the bun out!

Q: You performed with Michael Jackson while you were still in college?

A: I did the 30th anniversary Michael Jackson special in Madison Square Garden. I danced with Michael Jackson, Missy Elliott, Mya, Whitney Houston. It was huge. It was two shows. I still have my original pay stub, and I have the poster, and I've got a T-shirt and an autographed poster and I've got my backstage dancer pass. (Laughs)

Q: And, a few years later, you came to Las Vegas and performed with Bette Midler in "The Showgirl Must Go On."

A: Bette Midler is great. She could be trashy, she could be classy, and she rocked it out. She's just phenomenal. I always tried to remember, when I'm in the moment of things every night, to just stop when she sang "The Rose" and listen. I would just stand there going, "Remember this, because this is not going to happen forever."

Q: For several years, you've been a member of the Pussycat Dolls here. What's that like?

A: I love it. It's like a girl's night. We come in and we're a very close group.

Q: You're also in Criss Angel: "Believe"?

A: Yes. I'm a magic assistant for Criss Angel.

Q: That must be a hectic commute from there (Luxor) to here (Planet Hollywood Resort).

A: The only time I've ever had an issue was New Year's, when I'm running because there's no (car) traffic.