In brief Twerk from Home is launching a weekly twerking competition that will culminate on October 4 with a grand prize of $10,000. Joe Mahavuthivanij, the co-founder and CEO of the initiative, aims to elevate and legitimize exotic dancing, drawing parallels to how the UFC transformed mixed martial arts into a recognized sport. To address the issue of debanking that many in the industry face, dancers participating in the competition will have the option to receive payment in cryptocurrency.
### Twerk From Home Aims to Professionalize Exotic Dancing
Joe Mahavuthivanij, who is at the helm of Twerk From Home (TFH), aspires to become the Dana White of the twerking scene by establishing and advancing exotic dancing as a legitimate sport. The inaugural tournament kicks off this Saturday, featuring dancers competing for a significant $10,000 prize. This event will showcase performers from around the globe, engaging in live twerk-offs via their webcams, aligning with the “from home” concept.
In this unique format, viewers will have the opportunity to financially support their favorite dancers by purchasing virtual “gifts.” According to Mahavuthivanij, every dollar spent on gifts will be directed entirely to the dancer, with the performer amassing the most gifts declared the winner of the match. Additionally, crypto enthusiasts can participate in betting on the outcomes through the sportsbook Bet105, while dancers have the opportunity to be compensated in cryptocurrency, a move prompted by the widespread banking challenges in the sector.
### Weekly Livestreams Leading to Grand Finale
TFH plans to host a series of livestreamed events leading up to the grand finale on October 4. Mahavuthivanij shared with Decrypt that the inspiration for TFH arose from his interactions with exotic dancers in Las Vegas, during which he sought to understand their struggles. He identified significant barriers related to the “legitimacy and professionalism” of the field, which he aims to address through this competition.
Reflecting on the UFC’s journey to validate and professionalize combat sports, Mahavuthivanij noted, “I thought perhaps we could extract valuable lessons from their experience.” He shared that his vision involved merging various ideas, leading to the innovative concept of creating an online battle format for twerking.
### The Competition’s Unique Structure
As the preliminaries heat up, JNLDOOM and Emilia Uusitalo are set to face off in a thrilling final preliminary battle. JNLDOOM is known for his fearless performances, while Emilia is recognized for her technical skill on the dance floor. The final prelim battle is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, at 11 am PT.
Mixed martial arts has also navigated a challenging path to its current status, with the UFC now even eyeing events at the White House. Historically, MMA faced bans across 36 states in America, with prominent figures like Senator John McCain labeling it as “human cockfighting.” The UFC’s efforts to introduce weight classes, prohibit certain moves, and establish judges helped to provide the sport with the legitimacy it enjoys today.
In contrast, TFH will not employ judges to officiate its competitions. Instead, the audience will determine the victor, which Mahavuthivanij anticipates will predominantly consist of male viewers—adding a new twist to the notion of “human cockfighting.” He admitted, “We recognize that this could be seen as a popularity contest, particularly at this initial phase. That is somewhat how we are viewing it.” He likened the format to shows like “American Idol,” where audiences play an active role by texting in their votes to progress their preferred contestants.
### Existing Competitions and TFH’s Positioning
While twerking and exotic dance competitions already exist, such as the International Twerk Champions, which feature local contests leading to an international showdown, TFH aims to differentiate itself. These existing competitions often include various style categories and are judged by experts to ensure that the average audience can appreciate the skill involved.
Mahavuthivanij criticized the irregularity, limited prize pools, and modest viewership of the International Twerk Champions, aspiring to elevate TFH’s status by providing consistent events. However, he acknowledged that the established competition benefits from having qualified judges—a feature that he hopes to incorporate into TFH in the future. He believes that adding expert commentary will help educate viewers on what constitutes impressive moves, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art beyond mere aesthetics.
### Addressing Stigmas in Exotic Dancing
The stigmatization that exotic dancers face in society is another challenge Mahavuthivanij aims to tackle through TFH. He expressed a desire to expand the platform beyond twerking into other forms of dance following the inaugural tournament. Many dancers, he said, struggle with closed bank accounts—a pervasive issue in the sex work community. As a solution, TFH offers the option of cryptocurrency payments to its dancers.
Mahavuthivanij candidly shared his own experiences with stigma, stating, “I have encountered much of the same prejudice that they deal with daily. This situation has persisted for ages, and it is high time we provide it with the legitimacy it deserves.”
