Zula, a former icon of Parisian cabaret and stage performance, now shares her art of movement and sensuality in Aix and Marseille. With La Leçon de Zula, dance becomes a true language of the body and emotion.
A lead dancer and captain at the Crazy Horse for over a decade, Zula—whose real name is Delphine Truchet—embodies a singular approach to the stage, at the crossroads of dance, music, and performance. Through numerous collaborations for the iconic cabaret that gave her her stage name—a nod to her African youth—with renowned artists (Philippe Découflé, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Dita Von Teese, Beyoncé, among others), she has forged a rich and multifaceted career. After first stepping into music alongside Ycare, she revealed herself on stage through her collaborations with Marc Collin’s group Nouvelle Vague during international tours. Today, between projects with artists such as Nicolas Comment and Charles Serruya, she shares her expertise through La Leçon de Zula, coaching sessions launched at Capsule in Le Tholonet and soon also in Marseille. Designed as an introduction to the arts of femininity through movement, these sessions invite participants to explore self-expression with grace, strength, and letting go.
How did you transition from the Crazy Horse to coaching and workshops?
It wasn’t a natural progression—at the time, I didn’t fully grasp the value of what I had learned. It was only after leaving the stage, becoming a single mother, and taking on a “day job” that I realized how vital this knowledge was for women. Sharing it became a necessity—for them, but also a profound source of fulfillment for me.
What did your experience as a soloist teach you about self-confidence?
Being alone under the spotlight teaches you that confidence is not the absence of fear, but the ability to master your presence. I discovered that vulnerability, when embraced with strong posture, becomes an unshakable and magnetic strength.
What have you retained from the cabaret spirit in your teaching today?
I’ve kept the discipline of detail and the art of staging oneself. I teach that every movement must be fully inhabited, and that the gaze, just as much as the gesture, is a powerful tool for communication and presence.
Did you always want to share your knowledge, or did it come after your stage career?
It came later. On stage, it was simply my everyday life—I didn’t fully realize the impact of these codes. It was only after stepping away from the spotlight that I understood these cabaret tools were keys to personal fulfillment that I felt compelled to share.
What made you want to launch your own workshops?
My collaboration with Caroline Pelletti-Victor (photographer and psychologist) on sisterhood was a turning point. Facing the challenges of being a single mother and the harshness of today’s world, I realized how vital it is to rise together. These moments of pure sharing are as healing for me as they are for the women who attend. This sense of sisterhood also came to life thanks to Marie-Julie Julie (Pilates coach), who generously invited me to host my first workshops at Capsule studio in Le Tholonet.
What kind of audience attends your sessions?
Women from all walks of life and all ages, looking to reconnect with their bodies, build confidence, or simply allow themselves a moment of sensuality.
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Can you really change your self-confidence by working on posture?
Absolutely. By lifting your head and opening your chest, you send a signal of safety to the brain. The body’s “muscle memory” gradually seeps into the mind, transforming a physical attitude into a genuine inner strength.
How do these workshops help people let go?
They help break down inhibitions through movement and play. By daring to adopt a gesture or a gaze often considered “forbidden” by social conventions, participants finally allow themselves to step outside the box and fully embrace who they are.
Do you see these workshops as performance, personal development, or both?
It’s a blend of both—a “performance of the self” in the service of personal growth. We use the artifice and magic of cabaret to reveal one’s own truth and natural power.
What is the most striking transformation you’ve witnessed?
During my last workshop at Capsule, a young woman with voluptuous curves arrived very withdrawn. As she allowed herself to improvise, I watched her fragility transform into radiant sensuality—it was like seeing a flower bloom, a revelation of her own beauty that deeply moved me.
Interview by E.F.
Photos: Cover Nicolas Comment / Portraits Cédric Vasnier and Caroline Pelletti-Victor / Shadow silhouettes Eric Foucher / Coaching Capsule Studio
