What Occurred to Chippendales? Founders, Murders and Extra

Whether or not you have been to a dwell present otherwise you’re extra conversant in Chris Farley’s SNL rendition, the all-male strip membership Chippendales has been a family title for many years.

Photograph by Denise Truscello/WireImage

The model is called the primary strip joint to cater to feminine wishes with its signature exhibits that includes buff males in cuffs and bow ties – sans shirts.

Founder Somen “Steve” Banerjee opened the strip membership for the primary time in Los Angeles in 1979, and the model continues to be “thriving” right this moment, reps advised Entrepreneur, with its everlasting Las Vegas present and a world-touring dance troupe.

The model has attracted the likes of Hollywood, with Magic Mike pulling inspiration from the enduring present, and a few stars have even participated within the dwell efficiency, together with Jersey Shore’s Vinny Guadagnino.

Nevertheless, issues had been lots much less glamorous for Banerjee and the membership behind the scenes, with a number of murders, arson, and different crimes related to the membership.

Hulu is ready to unpack the darkish and twisted historical past behind Chippendales with its new collection, “Welcome to Chippendales,” premiering on November 22, with new weekly episodes by means of Jan. 3, 2023.

How Did Chippendales Begin And Who Are the Founders?

Chippendales was the brainchild of Somen “Steve” Banerjee, who’s being portrayed by Kumail Nanjiani within the Hulu collection. Initially from India, Banerjee immigrated to the US and labored as a gasoline station attendant earlier than discovering entrepreneurship, in line with Entertainment Tonight.

Banerjee owned two gasoline stations and ultimately opened a nightclub referred to as Future II in 1975 along with his accomplice Bruce Nahin, in line with LA Magazine. Nahin and his father purchased 10% of the membership to assist Banerjee’s money circulate, however he segued to filmmaking in 1987, Nahin stated in an interview with The Drill.

After attempting magic exhibits and different leisure to deliver prospects in, nightclub promoter and common Paul Snider advised an all-male strip membership.

In 1980, they modified the title of the membership to “Chippendales” — after the British furnishings model — for a “classier” vibe, and Chippendales as we all know it was born.

Within the early days of Chippendales, Snider and his spouse, Playboy‘s 1980 Playmate of the 12 months, Dorothy Stratten, had been instrumental in shaping the membership’s look. The truth is, Stratten coined the dancers’ iconic “cuffs and collars uniform” and even bought Hugh Hefner on board.

Banerjee was seen because the brains behind the operation, and he introduced on producer Nick De Noia to choreograph the dwell exhibits in 1981. Though the pair helped form the enduring model into what it’s right this moment, they persistently butted heads.

De Noia took credit score for creating Chippendales’ signature choreography and increasing to a New York location in 1983, per LA Journal.

The duo’s contentious relationship led them to half methods after three years in enterprise collectively.

De Noia was in a position to negotiate the rights to take Chippendales on tour with a signed cocktail serviette contract in 1984, per The U.S. Sun. However when the tour proved to be a hit, producing $80,000 in earnings every week, Banerjee was displeased and fought to regain the rights to the touring present. He was unsuccessful.

What Are the Chippendales Murders?

The primary tragedy to hit Chippendales occurred shortly after Dorothy Stratten negotiated the cope with Playboy and was honored with Playmate of the 12 months. Hugh Hefner had taken a liking to Stratten, and though Stratten’s husband, Paul Snider, had helped join the 2 and launch Stratten’s profession, Hefner did what he may to push Snider out. In 1980, Snider murdered Stratten and dedicated suicide thereafter.

In the meantime, De Noia’s tour was booming, however as a result of the serviette contract gave De Noia the rights to the tour, Banerjee wasn’t entitled to any of the earnings, to his dismay.

On April 7, 1987, De Noia was murdered by a employed gunman. Following an extended FBI investigation, Banerjee was arrested and charged with the second-degree homicide of De Noia and conspiracy to commit murders of two aggressive dancers in 1993.

Banerjee was additionally related to 3 arson makes an attempt aimed on the model’s competitors.

Whereas Banerjee was dealing with 26 years in jail after taking a plea discount and pleading responsible, he took his life whereas awaiting his sentencing in 1994 in his jail cell.

Picture credit score: Courtesy of Chippendales

Who Owns Chippendales Now and How A lot Is it Value?

Regardless of the chaos that plagued Chippendales in its early days, the model continues to be alive and nicely.

Nevertheless, the unique Chippendales membership in Los Angeles closed shortly after shedding its liquor license in 1988 and after a number of different lawsuits and violations.

After Banerjee pleaded responsible, the Chippendales model went to his spouse, Irene, throughout their divorce.

Based on The U.S. Solar, she offered the model for $2.5 million.

Since then, Chippendales has been within the fingers of a number of individuals. A 2013 report from The New Yorker says former boy band supervisor Lou Pearlman bought the model within the ’90s earlier than going to jail for fraud.

Based on a consultant from the model, “a non-public fairness of householders” has been on the helm since 2000, they advised Entrepreneur in a request for remark.

Chippendales’ closed its New York location shortly after September 11, 2001, per The New Yorker, but it surely discovered a second life after managing accomplice Kevin Denberg bought a bus and took the dancers on tour, touring across the nation till they landed in Las Vegas.

Chippendales laid roots in Las Vegas in 2002 and its present and tour are nonetheless “thriving” right this moment. Katerina Tabakhov presently serves because the manufacturing’s director of operations, the model rep shared, whereas Denberg is now not concerned within the day-to-day operation.

“The Chippendales are STILL performing to sold-out homes at our dwelling on the Rio All-Suite Lodge and On line casino in Las Vegas (for over 20 years), in addition to our home and worldwide excursions,” the model confirmed to Entrepreneur.

The Sin Metropolis present is full with its $10 million customized complicated, and tickets vary from $49.95 to $149.95.

Or you’ll be able to catch the Chippendales on tour, which hits six continents and over 25 nations, in line with the brand’s website.

Right this moment, the model generates between $5 million and $25 million in annual income, in line with Signal Hire.