Welcome to Chippendales is the latest true-crime series on Hulu you do not want to miss.
The series, airing every Tuesday on the platform, follows the meteoric rise and catastrophic fall of Steve Banerjee, the founder of Chippendales.
Chippendales was established by Banerjee in 1979 and was the first all-male stripping dance troupe in the U.S. to become a successful business enterprise. He had purchased Destiny II, a failing West Los Angeles bar, in 1975 and renamed it Chippendales, where specific nights featuring male dancers strictly for women, became a huge hit.
Banerjee teamed up with Emmy-winning choreographer Nick De Noia and Chippendales became a hit, opening clubs in New York, Dallas, and Denver and sending troupes to tour across the world.
However, in 1993, embroiled in competition and jealousy, Banerjee's Chippendales empire crumbled around him. Facing 26 years in prison on attempted arson, racketeering, and murder-for-hire charges, Banerjee took his own life on October 23, 1994.
Newsweek has everything you need to know about Chippendales and if it still exists today.
Warning, there may be spoilers about Welcome to Chippendales below.
What Happened To Chippendales?
In 1987, Chippendales hit headlines for incredibly sinister reasons.
Banerjee hired Ray Colon, a former Palm Springs police officer, and lounge room entertainer to murder Chippendales show producer De Noia. Colon, in turn, hired a man named Gilberto Rivera Lopez to carry out the killing.
De Noia was shot dead in 1986 by a man posing as a messenger at his midtown Manhattan office on April 7, 1987. He was 46 years old.
At the time, Banerjee and De Noia had gone their separate ways, often clashing over their creative differences. De Noia had left Banerjee to start up a Chippendales tour and live show under the organization Chippendales Universal, which was increasingly popular in New York City.
The pair had agreed on a deal that had been written on the back of a napkin, with De Noia receiving 50 percent of the profits from the touring Chippendales. When Banerjee realized the lucrative success of the tour, he became frustrated.
For years, Banerjee wasn't linked to De Noia's murder, but in 1993, everything changed.
In 1990 and 1991, Banerjee plotted to kill Michael Fullington, a former Chippendales dancer, and choreographer, and two other ex-Chippendales dancers, Read Scot and Steve White. They were then part of the rival dance troupe Adonis who were touring in the U.K.
The murder-for-hire plot was uncovered when a man, named "Strawberry" by the authorities, informed the FBI he had been hired by Banerjee.
The FBI was led to De Noia's killer, Colon, who eventually began to cooperate as an informant and managed to secure Banerjee's confession for plotting to murder Fullington, Scot, and White, as well as planning De Noia's death.
Banerjee was also accused of three arson attempts, leading to minor damage at two competitor bars: Moody's Disco in Santa Monica in 1979 and the Red Onion Restaurant & Bar in Marina del Rey in 1985. He had abandoned the third attempt on another rival bar.
Banerjee pleaded guilty to attempted arson, racketeering, and murder for hire. He accepted a plea bargain and was sentenced to 26 years in prison.
However, on October 23, 1994, just a few hours before he was due to be sentenced, Banerjee was found dead in his prison cell, having taken his own life. He was 47 years old.
Following his death, Banerjee's wife Irene inherited Chippendales, including the money, properties, and assets associated with it, reports The Cinemaholic.
Irene Banerjee died from breast cancer in February 2001.
Does Chippendales Still Exist Today?
Yes, Chippendales very much still exists today.
Billed as "a mantastic, sex-god, abs party that will make you lose your damn mind," the Chippendales have a residency at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
The theater and lounge were specifically built for the Chippendales at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, costing $10 million.
Tickets start at $49.95 and reach $149.95, according to the official Chippendales website.
Chippendales also have their annual Christmas calendar, which was started by Banerjee, and continue to embark on tours across the U.S. and Europe.
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Chippendales took to Instagram to share workout videos and virtual zoom parties, keeping their fans and new audiences entertained.
Today, the dance troupe still wears the iconic Chippendales white color, shirt cuffs and black bow tie in many of their promo shots.
Earlier this year, Jersey Shore legend Vinny Guadagno joined the Chippendales in Las Vegas for several live performances, showing off his moves (and body) on stage.
A visit to the official Chippendales website allows you to check out the 18 Chippendale dancers before you visit the Las Vegas show. If men with killer abs, strip teasing, and dancing are your thing, you will not be disappointed.
Sadly, the original Chippendales nightclub, located in Los Angeles, shut down in 1998 after losing its liquor license and fire permit.
However, the legacy of Chippendales still lives on as Steve Banerjee's son, Bane, is a stripper, performing as a part of the Magic Mike dance troupe, who were inspired by Chippendales.
Newsweek has contacted Chippendales for comment.
Episodes of Welcome to Chippendales air every Tuesday on Hulu.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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