The media keep talking about "showgirls" having been stabbed on the Strip. For those unfamiliar with today's Strip, it leaves the impression that these women victims were the highly trained dancers and professional performers in production shows in casino theatres while in actuality the "showgirls" who were hurt or killed were street performers like those who stand around on the Strip dressed as Disney characters who make their living by being photographed by tourists for tips.
They are no more showgirls than a street performer in a Mickey Mouse costume is Mickey Mouse. Most do not resemble actual showgirls physically since some are short and even overweight. The late Fluff LeCoque of "Jubilee" would not be amused.
That said, their being street performers in no way minimizes the horror of what happened to them. It was dreadful.
