In 1983 Pa-Mela Hernandez and Denise Aubrey debuted as “Satin”, the first Black Aerialists in the 113th year of Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. The cousins from Los Angeles joined the Circus in their 20’s as dancing Showgirls.

 

With the help of friends, as well as fellow trapeze artists, Denise and Pa-Mela trained after hours during their two-year tour as dancers. Special help was given by Dave King who supervised their nightly practices and financed the act, while the girls payed him back from their weekly dancer salaries, and to Anna and Armando Farfan who taught them about rigging and costume-making. In 1982 they auditioned their act for show owners, Irvin and Kenneth Feld and were immediately hired as a featured act. “Satin” toured with Ringling from 1983-1989, covering every major city in the U.S. and Japan. They were later invited to perform for the Monte Carlo Circus Festival, the Jerry Cottle London Circus and Warner Brothers Studios.

 

“Satin” was also featured in various publications such as Newsweek, US, People, The New Yorker, Ebony, Jet and Vogue Magazines. They appeared on television shows such as Good Morning America, CBS Morning News, Entertainment Tonight and MacNeil/Lehrer Report.

In 2023 “Satin” had the honor of being featured in the “Blacks in American Circus” exhibit at the San Francisco Center for Arts and Culture.