AMC’s new original series, Freakshow, follows the exploits of a former music producer who pursues his lifelong dream of owning and operating his very own freakshow on the Venice Beach boardwalk.
Why is there reason to celebrate?
One of the stars of AMC’s Freakshow is sumptuously tattooed Brianna Belladonna. (Otherwise known as “The Indestructible Woman.”) Incredible Features photographed the lovely, inked femme fatale back in 2011. Brianna shared with us her new form of therapy called, “body suspension.” In an amazing set of exclusive pictures, Brianna performed the ultimate feat of mind over matter by swallowing two swords while being attached to ropes and pulleys with six hooks pierced into her back and legs – and suspended in mid-air.
Back in 2009, Brianna began performing in a Las Vegas show called “Freaks.” While taking time off, she went to Los Angeles and made her way to Todd Ray’s Venice Beach Freakshow – a homage to the classic 20th Century sideshow for a new generation. The Venice Beach operation is a family affair: Todd, his wife, and their two kids help operate the Venice Beach Freakshow: a museum of strange creatures, living oddities, and human attractions – handpicked directly by Mr. Ray. When the production of Freaks closed, Todd offered Brianna a job – and the rest is AMC reality TV series history. (Premieres Feb. 14 at 9:30/8:30c.)
Brianna incorporates a range of specialties in her act: sword-swallowing, fire-eating/breathing, light bulb-eating and more. She holds two world records in sword-swallowing: as the first woman in the world ever to swallow a sword while being suspended from hooks, and as the current record holder for the most swords swallowed while suspended. One of the very few female sword swallowers in the world, Brianna is the only woman who has ever attempted this death-defying feat while being hung, defying both gravity and pain. The double swords together are 23 inches long and a little under a half inch thick while the single sword is 22 inches long and 3 mm thick.
CHECK OUT All OF BRIANNA’S DEATH-DEFYING PHOTOS IN INCREDIBLE FEATURES AGENCY SECTION
