By tf-lawyer.com On a Wednesday night at the end of September, the Bourbon Room in Hollywood was alive with the performance of Mary Caryl, a pole dancer known for her electrifying acts. Dressed in seven-inch heels and semi-transparent yellow bell-bottoms, she executed a series of impressive moves, including “The Chopstick,” “The Jade Split,” and the most challenging, “The Black Sun Split.”
The Black Sun Split, in particular, showcased her incredible strength as she used only her abdominal muscles and thighs to hold herself in a full split position, gripping the pole with her legs, while her hands grasped each foot. The crowd erupted in applause, clearly amazed by Mary’s flexibility and athleticism. However, it was when Mary Serritella, her full name, began to speak after her performance that the audience truly buzzed with excitement.
When she revealed that she had just celebrated her 71st birthday, the crowd nearly lost it—one woman in the front row flailed her arms in disbelief, while another bowed dramatically, mimicking a scene from the movie “Wayne’s World.” The energy in the room intensified as Mary shared her thoughts, declaring, “You’ll never lose anything as long as you never give up,” and followed up with, “I had hip replacement surgery five years ago, I’m a bionic woman!” The phrase “bionic woman” resonated with the audience, evoking the image of an unstoppable force.
Christina Calph, who invited Serritella to the “Comedy Pole Show,” expressed, “She’s incredibly charismatic. Every time I see her, I think, ‘Wow, I want to shine like her!’”
In Los Angeles, where beauty often feels as routine as a dental check-up, Serritella’s pole dancing embodies the notion that aging does not diminish one’s beauty, sensuality, or resilience, nor the activities that people love.
At 71, Serritella continues to flaunt her high heels and bikini, posting videos on Instagram and hitting the gym at least five times a week, which helps her maintain her upper body strength and flexibility to perform alongside women decades younger than her.
Of course, no amount of training can fully counteract the effects of aging. Joint pain, particularly arthritis, and challenges with her hip joints are factors she grapples with. Serritella candidly shared, “Every day when I wake up, my muscles feel stiffer than the day before. A few years ago, I injured my knee ligaments, but as the serenity prayer says, you must accept what you cannot change and change what you can.”
Mary Serritella’s journey into pole dancing began at the age of 57 after her youngest child graduated from college. A friend who served on a fundraising committee at her child’s school decided to take pole dancing classes and invited Serritella along. “I figured, why not?” she recalls, despite her initial struggles, “I thought, ‘I’m not good at this yet, but I want to learn.’”
She began taking classes at Vertitude L.A. in Canoga Park and Choreography House in North Hollywood, sometimes even taking three classes in one night. She appreciated the quality training she received, noting, “Both places had amazing instructors who brought in talented guest teachers.”
Pole dancing has evolved since its origins in the 1950s, transitioning from a nightclub attraction to an established form of dance and sport. Since 2009, international organizations have pushed for pole dancing to be included in the Olympics, although that journey remains challenging.
As Serritella emphasizes, “Pole dancing is now recognized as a sport, featuring standard moves, and some performers focus more on aesthetics and technique, while others lean into storytelling and emotional resonance. But sensuality is still a significant part of it, and I embrace all aspects.”
In 2011, she entered her first competition after just three months of classes. When the Pole Sport Organization invited her to compete in a division for individuals over 40, she agreed, despite the tight timeline. “I thought it was a bit insane, but that’s my nature—to try things without fear,” she said laughing.
Her debut solo performance was themed around Christmas, where she performed as Mrs. Claus to “Santa Baby.” In 2023, she achieved first place at the Pole Art Italy international competition with a routine set to “These Boots Are Made for Walking,” “I Only Date Cowboys,” and “Lady,” donning a pink cowboy outfit.
Serritella clearly has a penchant for comedic, whimsical performances rather than the heavy-hitting dramatic styles some of her peers prefer.
Her biggest fans? Definitely her family. After 33 years of marriage, her husband Tony shares her accomplishments with pride. He’s seen her soar from hosting the television show “Images With Mary Caryl” in the ’90s to a participant in the 2012 reality show “Alt for Norge.” “She could do anything, nothing surprises me,” he remarked.
Her children had varied reactions at first. While her daughter embraced her mother’s dancing, her two sons needed time to process it all. “I guess they didn’t expect this side of me,” she mused. Her younger son and wife attended her performance at the Bourbon Room, where he admitted it took time to get used to.
In the pole dancing community, Serritella is considered a beacon of inspiration. Teresa Fischer, an instructor at Luscious Maven in North Hollywood, regards her as a legend, while Stephanie Pozos, another friend, admires how Serritella captivates her audience and knows how to showcase her strengths.
Angelina Medina, who began her pole dancing journey just two and a half years ago, said Serritella’s vibrant performance style mirrors her upbeat personality, saying, “She challenges societal expectations. I just turned 33, and society often says that life is over for women after thirty, but Serritella proves otherwise.”
Serritella also has her finger on the pulse of beauty trends. She creates beauty products, designs a line of pole dancing attire, functions as a visual consultant, and helps women with their makeup looks. Her skincare secret? “Drink plenty of water, and stay active to help remove what you consume.” She noted that many people her age appear bloated or tired simply due to dehydration and lack of movement.
Additionally, she believes in daily foundation use for moisture retention and protection against pollutants. Eating healthily is essential, but she emphasizes the importance of balance, allowing herself treats like lipstick, birthday cake, or coffee with friends.
Serritella’s greatest superpower is her ability to defy societal stereotypes, particularly those surrounding aging and the push for women to defy the “I can’t” mentality. “Older women should feel beautiful and healthy, and it takes time—but that doesn’t mean we can’t,” she asserted. “We often say children are our future, but we are also their role models.”
Returning to the Bourbon Room after her performance, Serritella slipped into the green room only to discover she couldn’t find her tennis shoes, so she remained in her heels. As the next act began, she climbed back to her seat, eager not to obstruct anyone’s view.
The next performer was comedian Annie Lederman, who, at 30 years younger than Serritella, jokingly asked the audience, “Do I have to be like Mary?” The crowd responded with empathetic laughter.
