4Q Magazine Manchester

Snakes On A Dame

by Claire Williams on 10.05.09

When it comes to photographs some models will do anything to make an impact. Agyness Dean leapt out of a building. Victoria Beckham got herself stuck in a paper bag. For Irish beauty Emma Quinlan, however, there is no better lasting impression than glistening scales on bare curves.

While many children prefer cuddling fluffy bunnies and kittens this 25-year-old was charming snakes at the age of seven – and has taken her adoration of these serpents one step further by establishing them as a loyal partner in her modelling career.

Although she has always been a fond collector of the dangerous and the deadly Quinlan cannot pinpoint how this reptile alliance all started. Quinlan who is accustomed to this question, says, ‘I get asked this all the time. I really don’t know. My mum has always liked them and I got two when I was young, two grass snakes that were really small. Then I moved to Paris and I started performing with them because I have always been into belly dancing and stuff like that. It just took off from there.’

Quinlan makes it all seems so easy. Going au natural with a cold blooded beast is part of the day job. Without a flinch Quinlan manages to keep her modesty hidden with a ten foot gold python coiled around her. This python is called Squirt and features regularly in her photo shoots as she is one of her favourites – paradoxical in name as the reptile engulfs her petite frame.

“You will probably see my favourite snake Squirt in a lot of my pictures,” Quinlan says. “She’s really big, in fact she’s huge – and she’s only two years old. She’s very much like a dog and follows you anywhere. She’ll mooch around and when she’s bored she’ll go back into her bed.”

The thought of a python sneaking up from behind you would scare the hell out of the average Joe. Fortunately Emma Quinlan is far from average. Quinlan is an advocate for the reptile cause, with a collection of scaly companions including one crocodile and seven rare pythons all adopted from rescue centres. “Most of my snakes are rescued, Quinlan says. “They are not usual snakes that most people take in. The smaller rattlesnakes tend to get picked but the bigger ones are left behind – so that’s where I come in.”

You couldn’t call Quinlan just a pretty face, not only can she charm snakes, but she is also an ambitious dancer, guaranteed to give pop senorita Shakira a run for her money.

Trained in American Latin dancing and belly dancing she began her career path in no other than the renowned Moulin Rouge, a cabaret situated in the red light district of Paris and spiritual birthplace to the can-can. Quinlan admits that her new life at Moulin Rouge had to be well concealed from family and friends.

“I had to lie about my age and lie about everything really just to get in,” Quinlan says. “It was a different world over there. I couldn’t tell my parents or anyone else what I was up to.”

Her rebellious streak paid off. From cabaret to arenas Quinlan has climbed the career ladder and has now performed alongside big names like Akon, Prodigy, Erik Morillio and Daft Punk. Quinlan has gained herself a credible CV, as well as earning the golden opportunity to meet these stars in the flesh.

“I get to chat to them all,” Quinlan says. “They are really intrigued when it comes to my snakes. Some of the boys won’t come near me when performing with them – I think they’re scared!” An image of a terrified Keith Flint scarpering out of sight comes to mind.

It isn’t just reptiles that star in Quinlan’s career path; there is also room for a bunny with a bow tie. The cover of a Playboy magazine is the corny cliché of a dream come true for Quinlan. Her mother received a personal request from Hugh Hefner himself to star in the iconic institution.

Quinlan explains: “She was on a flight to LA and she was on her own when she was offered to move to first class because there were free seats. Hugh Hefner ended up being there. She had no idea who he was but got chatting to him.

“They had a lot in common because they both like horses and then he asked her there and then if she would like to appear in his magazine.”

Her mother turned down the offer but as a playboy fanatic Quinlan hopes Hefner would one day cast his eye further down the family line. If bunny blondes ever get a tad too monotonous for the 82 year old wrinkly tycoon, then this serpent seductress should be considered a new venture. She’s no doubt refreshing in comparison.

If you hadn’t recognised Quinlan from her modelling pictures, or her dancing on stage then you may have noticed her on the sliver screen. Quinlan has starred in award winning films – the appropriately reptile themed ‘Reign of Fire’ and the film ‘Martin’ which has been shortlisted for the next Cannes festival.

For future plans Quinlan intends to take everything as it comes.
She says: “I am soon attending the Cannes film festival for a film that’s been shortlisted so it’s pretty exciting. After that I just want to carry on with my modelling and dancing because that’s what I really enjoy in life. I’ll then see what other offers come up.”

Ideally, Quinlan would love to become the new Dita Von Teese.
Quinlan says: “She is my ideal role model. I love the whole burlesque image she has. Hopefully I’ll be more approachable than her though! But to reach her status would be amazing.”

Think less goth, more glam, throw some snakes in and I think you’ve got it. Bunny blondes eat your heart out.

Image Gallery

Bookmark with:

Comment

1. Great article but the editor needs a slap – snakes are reptiles not amphibians!

   — Mike Gatiss · Jul 14, 05:55 PM · #

2. The article does say snakes are reptiles! Hmm

   — Jason Birch · Jul 19, 02:41 PM · #

3. Why would it be the editors fault if there was an error like this, surely it’s the Journalist who wrote the piece?

   Sorry we are not all budding Zoologists like you Mike!

   — Chris Jones · Jul 30, 11:40 AM · #

4. I did the makeup for this shoot!

   — DJ O'Brien · Oct 12, 02:32 PM · #

5. The one above the article!

   — DJ O'Brien · Oct 12, 02:32 PM · #

Name	Remember
E-mail
Website
Message	Textile Help