Louis Sue, Singapore’s most popular male pole dancer, is redefining the sport in heels

In Singapore, more are taking to the pole to express themselves, challenge stereotypes, and build a supportive community where strength and sensuality go hand in hand. Here’s how they are reshaping the narrative.

With an impressive 120K (and counting) Instagram following, 32-year-old Louis Sue is far from your average influencer – his popularity comes from running one of the most popular pole dance studios in town.

Booking a slot at PXD Pole Studio isn’t easy – most people try their luck through the studio’s Telegram group chat when a spot opens up. Louis, who co-owns the studio with his partner, moved into their Carpenter Street premises in May.

Located on the third storey of a shophouse, the space is decked out in pink and filled with Popmart toys and Sanrio characters, with one of its rooms styled like a nightclub, complete with pulsating stage lights. It’s the third move in seven years.

PXD started at Robinson Road in 2018, and opened another location at Kreta Ayer in 2019.

“I was constantly running back and forth between the two studios. Eventually, we decided to consolidate both locations and moved to Cecil Street – and now we’re based at Carpenter Street,” says Louis.

He’s the only male pole dance studio owner in Singapore, and the only Singaporean male to compete and cinch the title of Hardstyle Professional Winner at Exotic Generation Asia 2019.

Louis is doing it all in eight-inch stilettos – and he isn’t fazed by what others might think of his chosen path.

“I think I was quite lucky to be surrounded by people who were really supportive of my pole dancing. A lot of them said, ‘Oh, it looks so cool,’ and some even wanted to try it. After I became a studio owner, a few friends actually started coming to my classes,” he shares.

If people have misconceptions, Louis says, it’s often because they’re projecting their own assumptions about who pole is meant for.

“When I first started, there were only two male students in my classes. Now, in the classes I teach, there are usually two or three guys per session.”

Louis started pole dancing in 2015, shortly after completing national service, as a way to reconnect with his dance roots – he had been part of the modern dance group in secondary school. Looking for something that combined both fitness and artistry, he found himself torn between breakdancing and pole.

“Pole felt really different, so I jumped straight into it. And here I am, about 10 years later,” he says.

“When I first started, I saw pole mainly as a form of dance. I used to be really shy – I couldn’t even take off my shirt. Then I realised, no one really cares. As I kept doing pole, that mindset started to shift, and my confidence grew.”

Today, Louis competes in and judges pole dance competitions, and has even been invited overseas to teach his style of pole dancing. He recently took first place in the Stars Category at Exotic Generation Asia 2024 in South Korea.

Louis and his partner travel abroad regularly to check out different pole dance studios and international competitions.

“And what we’ve realised is that what we have in our studio is just a small slice of the global scene, which is why we’re always trying to bring more of that back to Singapore. It’s not easy as everything is self-funded, from our travels to attending workshops. There’s also a lot of self-training, marketing and promotion involved,” he shares.

Still, he’s set on introducing more aspects of pole dancing through PXD – including Exo (a sultry style focused on musicality and stage presence), Heels (performed in platform stilettos to emphasise lines, control and sensuality), and Floorwork (a fluid movement style that uses the floor as a key element of choreography).

“There’s a whole world within pole dancing that goes beyond just the tricks,” says Louis.

He encourages anyone curious about pole dancing to sign up for a trial class, just to see if it’s something they enjoy.

“Just try it once. If it clicks, you’ll find the motivation to keep going. As for the fear of what others might think, I’d say: Let them mind their own business. It’s easier said than done, but if you keep letting other people’s opinions hold you back, you’ll never try anything new,” he says.

PHOTOGRAPHY Angela Guo
ART DIRECTION Adeline Eng
COORDINATION Chelsia Tan
HAIR & MAKEUP Benedict Choo, using Cle De Peau Beaute