If you’ve seen “FANTASY: The Strip’s Sexiest Tease,” you know exactly who Lorena Peril is. She shared her inspiring journey with The Blast. The Lorena Peril’s Inspiring Rise From Karaoke To Vegas Headliner first appeared on The Blast

If you’ve ever seen the Las Vegas hit show “FANTASY: The Strip’s Sexiest Tease,” you know exactly who Lorena Peril is. The award-winning headliner of the long-running Vegas show, known for her powerhouse vocals, electric stage presence, and joking nature, always celebrates her heritage, but ups the ante during Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15. 

Her inspiring journey began almost by accident and has taken her from housekeeper to headliner on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. Born in San Francisco to Mexican immigrant parents, she was discovered during an open mic night on a family cruise and the rest is history.

Lorena Peril recently sat down with The Blast exclusively to share her journey from housekeeper and karaoke singer to headlining a hit show in Sin City.

Lorena Peril Shares Her Inspiring Journey From Housekeeper To Headliner

Peril has been performing on the Strip for more than a decade, and has had some other amazing gigs along the way, such as the role of Sandy in a European arena tour of “Grease” and many National Anthem performances around Nevada and the Southwest. 

Growing up in San Francisco, Peril was very family oriented. She said she’s a very “proud Mexican American.” 

“Music was a big part of our culture, food, celebrating, and even though we grew up poor, we always had a smile on our faces. We were always happy,” Peril told The Blast exclusively. “I didn’t think I was rich, I didn’t think I was poor. I was just happy in my home with a hardworking family that made it happen. And I’m very proud of that.” 

Peril was working as a housekeeper before she transitioned into being a full-time performer. She credits a karaoke machine that she got from her stepfather for her start in singing.

How She Got Her Start In Singing

Singing professionally wasn’t something that Peril set out to do. She said it “wasn’t really a dream of mine” and that she just “enjoyed doing it at home.” But then she was gifted a karaoke system from her stepdad and that’s when she really dove into singing. 

“I was just happy working during the day and going to college at night. I was a housekeeper, and then I became an office major in college and never finished school,” she shared. “So what happened was I went on a vacation with my parents on a Carnival Cruise.”

It was there that her parents talked her into singing at karaoke night with a band and entering a contest. The next night, she got a “tap on the shoulder” and six months later, she was traveling the world singing. 

“So I literally, with no training, got discovered on vacation,” she said. “And that’s when I told my mom I got the offer and she’s like, ‘Just because went to Mexico, right?’”

Lorena Peril Has Been Headlining ‘FANTASY’ For Over A Decade

When asked how she knew she made it, Peril responded, “I knew I made it when I was finally headlining on the Las Vegas Strip at a number one show like ‘FANTASY.’”

She added, “this is what I’m meant to do.” 

With “FANTASY” celebrating 27 years in October, Peril credits the show’s staying power with producer Anita Mann. 

“She is a brilliant, smart woman, and she changes the show every year,” she said. “Once in a while you see a show and it’s the same all the time. It’s repetitive. Great shows though, but they’re always the same. The thing about ‘FANTASY’ is it’s a different night, every night. She just changes the show every year and keeps it fresh, and I think that’s why we keep winning because we’re also entertaining.” 

Since beginning at “FANTASY” 13 years ago, Peril has enjoyed her evolution in the show over the years. 

“I had to learn because it was really my first hosting show. It was my first real MC show. And I definitely evolved,” she told The Blast. “She did give me the platform to be myself and that’s what I love about this show. I learned a lot about comedy and timing, like comedic timing and hosting, and I’ve definitely grown in that.”

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What Lorena Peril Would Say To Her Younger Self

If she could go back and tell her younger self something, she would tell her to “say yes.” 

“I would say, ‘Listen, Lorena, if you get that opportunity to be in the show or perform, just say yes. Don’t be scared. Take a chance,’” she said. “‘Just always say yes because you can do it.” 

She added that she would tell her younger self to also not doubt anything because “you’ll never know if you don’t.”

What’s Next For The Vegas Headliner?

While Peril loves being a part of “FANTASY” and has no plans to leave, she also has some other dreams and goals she would like to accomplish.

“I would love to do ‘FANTASY’ at 65 or 70 years old. My goal is to keep going and reach for the stars,” she said. “I have goals. I have more. I’m not done. I want to keep going higher.”

And by higher, she means maybe her own headlining show that tells her story to inspire kids, families, and her culture. She would also like to make it on Broadway. She did write her own story and had a one-night show about her life story that was sold out. Peril also has dreams of writing a book or movie.

“I am very proud to say I will continue and I have so  much more to say, to do, and inspire people,” she told The Blast. “I like to make people laugh and people cry, feel good, and I think that’ll happen. I just don’t know when, but I just keep on manifesting it.”

For more information on “FANTASY: The Strip’s Sexiest Tease,” visit the website.

The Lorena Peril’s Inspiring Rise From Karaoke To Vegas Headliner first appeared on The Blast