vedette = showgirl?

Question

Hello everyone!

I need help from native English speakers. I'm translating a project for a reality show that will develop what here in Argentina is known as a "vedette", its title being "Academia de Vedettes". The term is used several times while describing the project.
I know that it could be translated as "showgirl" or "diva". But since it is an Academy that intends to train and teach girls, I think that either showgirl or diva would sound disdainful. Do you agree? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

James, what Wikipedia says is the meaning we give to "vedette" in Argentina. Except for the part about showing their body. They ussually do it. I haven't been in Las Vegas yet, but looking at pictures I guess showgirl is the closest match in English (at least in my English).

Answer 2

why not just use the word actress? Actress Academy! Sounds good to me

Answer 3

If you double click the word, the meaning in our dictionary is "star"

Answer 4

This is from Wikipedia:

Una vedette siempre es una bailarina, aunque puede también cantar, actuar, etc. Suele mostrar su cuerpo de forma sensual, pero, generalmente, procurando que no resulte pornográfico, para que los menores de edad puedan asistir al espectáculo, o para que, al menos y en la medida de lo posible, nadie se escandalice demasiado.

If you describe to us exactly what is meant by vedette in Argentina, we might be able to provide better suggestions. What will the training involve? Where will the girls typically be performing? What kind of talents do the girls use (singing, dancing, etc.)?

I don't think "actress" is the right word here, since acting seems to be involved very little, if at all. "Star Academy" could work as the name of a reality TV show, since it sounds rather amusing (as if a school could churn out stars), but there may be better alternatives.

Answer 5

Yes, that's what I was thinking, too. A showgirl is defined as "A woman, typically attired in an elaborately decorated costume, who performs in a musical or theatrical production." She is not a main performer, though, and usually is part of a chorus line, a group of dancers, etc. I don't recall seeing showgirls sing solos.

Given Guillermo's confirmation, I would agree that "Showgirl Academy" has about the right ring to it. It definitely sounds like something they would come up with in Hollywood!

Answer 6

BTW, a diva is completely different from a showgirl, so that word would be inappropriate unless the assumed definition of vedette here is wrong.

Answer 7

Thanks to everyone!
James, I wanted to check if 'showgirl' had any connotations I wasn't aware of, but according to what you say, I'm taking to "Showgirl Academy" a bit more. As Guillermo said, the info from Wikipedia matches what we call a Vedette here, adding the fact that they show their bodies quite a lot.

Answer 8

Performers or performing arts would cover a very wide spectrum.

Answer 9

As in Academy of performers but Academy of performing arts is much better.

Answer 10

I would say that "showgirl" matches pretty closely the Wiki definition. The word usually brings to mind a performer in a large stage production in Las Vegas, with very glitzy costumes and lots of long legs. It's not what Meryl Streep would want to be called, but there is nothing derogatory about the word, either, unlike "exotic dancer," "stripper," and other such words.

Answer 11

I agree 100%.

Answer 12

Perfect then. Thanks, everyone!