by Steve Balderson. “Underbelly” chronicles one
woman’s journey as well as this unique world
of belly dance by tracing a year in the life of
Princess Farhana. From Hollywood, California
to The Mexican Riviera, from the United King-
dom to the prairies of Canada, from New York
City to the heartland of America, “Underbelly” il-
luminates the world of belly dance, as it exists
today. With views from the stage as well as the
private off-stage world of the dancers, it covers
the fundamentals and history of the dance, how
it’s taught, how it changes and heals lives, and
addresses the differences between the purely
traditional styles and the myriad genres com-
posing contemporary belly dance: from cabaret
and tribal to fusion with burlesque and Gothic
styling.” (Get hold of your copy here: http://www.
princessfarhana.com/video_underbelly.htm)
So, she is not only an influ-
ential belly dance superstar,
she is also an actress! the
more we chatted the more
that i was completely in-
trigued by her multi-faceted
lifestyle and character. i
asked Pleasant to tell me
Pleasant Gehman
more about herself, where
@ NAFOURA Magazine Interview
she comes from and what
Photographer: Maani Vadgama
other exciting endeavours
she has been involved in?
© 2010 NAFOURA Magazine
She explained that she has lived in Hollywood
She explained that this trip had lasted for only 2
all of her life. “I live just under the Hollywood
days! She was called over to attend the world
sign. It’s not a big thing.” She recalls seeing
premiere of “Stuck!” at the Raindance Film Fes-
people driving up her road with cameras,’ won-
tival. “I love the whole 1950’s vintage look and
dering what they were doing, and later realis-
feel. I love how my hair looks!” The film is by
ing that they were filming the ‘Hollywood’ sign
Steve Balderson. It’s a 1950’s based prison film,
as they got closer to it! She has never had a
starring Susan Traylor, Starina Johnson, Stacy
conventional ‘normal’ job. Most of her work has
Cunningham, and Pleasant Gehman. (For more
involved being creative and performances of
information visit: http://www.dikenga.com/films/
some sort. She worked as a journalist for sev-
stuck/)
eral years, was in a band, painting, acting, and
of course belly dance. She commented that her
But this isn’t the first film that Pleasant has starred
lifestyle is pretty hectic but she stays on top of
in. She has also starred in Underbelly, directed
things.
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63