"We'll say someone wronged me and leave it at that," says Etta Vendetta of her name's shadowy origin.

It's an appropriately dramatic tease from this burlesque vixen, whose stage presence and very art form is predicated upon titillation. And much like the artifice of burlesque, that answer is a complete put-on.

Vendetta is quick to admit that she actually picked her stage name because she's a big fan of Etta James, and, well, "Vendetta" rhymes with "Etta." It's just a badass name. "But that's not as interesting as it could be," confesses the consummate entertainer alternately known as Amie Nelson.

Vendetta is a founding mother of Kansas City bump and grinders the Burly-Q Girly Crew, model for Nikol Lohr's Naughty Needles, vocalist with KC rockers The Afterparty, and producer of Etta Vendetta's Eyeful Tower-a music and striptease revue that frequently sheds clothing in music venues. Etta Vendetta joined lawrence.com to bare all about baring all.