My Life As An Inspirational Porn Star - Edfringe 2025

An "inspirational porn" star, Gabrielle Leonore shares her life story in this irreverent one-woman comedy, filled with candid anecdotes about sex, drugs, and the aspects of life no one prepares you for – especially as an autistic woman. Written and performed by Leonore, the show builds on the success of her previous production, (Re)union, which won the Social Good Award at the 2019 Tampa International Fringe Festival and was also featured in the 2019 Tampa Bay Theater Festival. Winner of the Tampa Fringe Social Good Award 2025, and 2019.

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Can you give us a sneak peek into your show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe? What can audiences expect when they come to see your performance?

My Life as an “Inspirational Porn” Star is a blend of stand-up, burlesque, and existential dread. We’ve got something for everyone! I refuse to be boxed in, and so does this show.  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you might learn about Nazi history and how it ties into feminism?  You could feel seen in ways you didn’t know you needed. Either way, it will be well worth the ride.

The Edinburgh Fringe is known for its vibrant and diverse atmosphere. How do you plan to engage with the festival audience and create a memorable experience for them?

What I’ve learned so far in my first Edinburgh Fringe is the best way to stand out… is to be yourself. My stage persona bleeds into real life (which is a whole other meta commentary on masking), so I talk to my audience like they’re old friends. That kind of connection—intimate and honest—makes the show not just literally performative, but deeply personal.  I hope it’s an experience that they’ll carry with them long after the festival ends.  

As a performer at the Edinburgh Fringe, what are you most excited about? Are there any specific aspects of the festival that you are looking forward to exploring?

Just being a part of something this big and exciting is already an accomplishment enough. There’s so much incredible art and so many original voices. I've already seen work that’s left me absolutely “inspired” (for lack of a better word). Honestly, coming from Florida, it’s  refreshing to be in a place where art is supported instead of suppressed. Also, the weather has been incredible! Our hotel maintenance  said it was “hot” the other day, and my tech, Mitch, and I just laughed todayr—coming from back home, it’s been hitting over 100°F (38°C). Suffice to say, it’s been like a breath of fresh air—literally and creatively.

Your show incorporates elements of feminism and women's experiences. Could you share how these themes are woven into the narrative or performance? What inspired you to explore these particular topics?

I can’t talk about my life as an autistic person without also talking about my experience as a woman. In my show, I dive into how autistic women are often misunderstood compared to their male peers—due to social standards that are already hard enough for autistic people, let alone with gender bias layered on top. A lot of my traits: ambitious, bold, confident—are praised in men, but in my life as a woman, I’ve been told I’m bossy, pushy, or “too much”.  As a cisgendered, bisexual, autistic woman (say that ten times fast), I’ve spent my life pushing back against what the world expects of me in order to be who I actually am. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Have you encountered any unique challenges or obstacles in the industry? How do you navigate these challenges, and what advice would you give to other women pursuing careers in the arts?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is navigating social dynamics—especially as someone who struggles with social cues and doesn’t always fit into the mold of what people expect a “woman” to be. I’ve clashed with people who are more comfortable maintaining the status quo, and I’ve gotten pushback simply for asking questions instead of blindly following directions. But I’ve learned that I don’t need to fight for a seat at a table that was never built for me. I can make my own table—or better yet, find a whole other restaurant that actually serves what I need.

My advice to other women in the arts? Don’t wait for gatekeepers. Show up, even if you have to kick the door open yourself. Some of my biggest opportunities came from sheer persistence. Once, a podcaster flaked on me three times—but when he announced a live radio event at a coffee shop, I showed up, found him, and (in his words) “trapped him in a corner” until I got my interview. He ended up appreciating the hustle—especially during Fringe chaos.

For too long, I worried about being too much. But the truth is, the right people will find you… as long as you choose yourself first. That’s how you take the industry—and the world—by storm.

What do you hope audiences will take away from your show, especially in terms of the feminist and women-centric themes? Is there a specific message or emotion you aim to leave them with?

I hope audiences walk away with a deeper sense that, at the end of the day, we’re all human. I’ve had a lot of neurodivergent women tell me they’ve felt seen through my show—but I’ve also heard that from men. People often misunderstand feminism as being only about women, but that’s not what it’s about. Feminism is about equality for all genders. Just because my show has feminist themes doesn’t mean it isn’t for men—there’s plenty for them to take away, too (besides the vintage lingerie). And hey, the women could take the lingerie if they want to as well. In my show, I say I support women’s rights…and their wrongs. I want every person, regardless of gender or identity, to feel seen. If they leave with that, then I’ve done my job.

SHOW DETAILS & TICKETS

My Life As An Inspirational Porn Star

Venue: Just the Snifter Room at Just the Tonic at The Mash House

Dates: 4 - 11 August 2025

Time: 20:35 (1 hour)

Book Tickets Here