Danielle Colby is an American reality television personality, burlesque performer, entrepreneur, and former roller derby athlete. She is widely recognized for her longtime appearance on the History Channel’s hit reality series American Pickers. Before entering the entertainment industry, Colby competed in roller derby, participating in numerous events until injuries forced her to retire from the sport. After leaving roller derby, she devoted herself to burlesque dancing and founded her own performance troupe, Burlesque Le Moustache, which features several dancers, including Colby herself. She further expanded her involvement in the art by establishing Dannie Diesel’s Bump ‘n’ Grind Academy, a Chicago-based school dedicated to teaching burlesque performance. Known for her energetic personality, distinctive style, and extensive tattoos, Colby has often stated that her body art carries personal meaning and reflects important experiences in her life rather than being purely decorative. In addition to her work in entertainment, she is the owner of the clothing brand 4 Miles 2 Memphis, which reflects her passion for vintage fashion and self-expression. Beyond her television career and business ventures, Colby is actively involved in charitable work. She has supported initiatives that assist women who have experienced sex trafficking, sexual abuse, and harassment, using her platform to raise awareness and advocate for survivors.
Career of Danielle Colby
Danielle Colby has built a diverse career by pursuing a wide range of interests, finding success in television, sports, business, and entertainment. During her younger years, she competed in roller derby, representing the Big Mouth Mickies. She not only played for the team but also helped manage it, contributing to a local championship victory. However, repeated injuries eventually forced her to retire from the sport.
Colby rose to national fame after joining the History Channel’s reality television series American Pickers, created by her longtime friend Mike Wolfe. After Wolfe successfully pitched the show to the network, he invited Colby to manage the office operations of his antique business, Antique Archaeology. The series follows Wolfe and Frank Fritz as they travel across the United States searching for valuable antiques and collectibles to purchase and resell. As the show became a major success—earning recognition as the highest-rated non-fiction television series of 2010—Colby also gained widespread popularity.
Inspired by a burlesque performance she attended in Chicago featuring Angel Cecelia Helene Walker and comedian Margaret Cho, Colby developed a deep appreciation for the art form. Motivated by the experience, she created her own burlesque troupe called Burlesque Le Moustache, which includes nine performers. While performing, she adopted the stage name “Dannie Diesel,” believing it best reflected her bold personality and performance style.
In addition to her entertainment career, Colby is an entrepreneur. She founded a vintage-inspired clothing company called 4 Miles 2 Memphis in Iowa. Although she has experienced both successes and setbacks in business, she has often stated that personal creativity and self-expression are more important to her than financial success. She believes pursuing unique and meaningful projects is what truly defines her as an individual.
Family & Personal Life
Danielle Colby was born on December 3, 1975, in Davenport, Iowa, USA, to Sue Colby. She has a sister known as Carbomb Betty and spent a significant part of her childhood growing up in Chicago.
Colby was previously married to a man named Kevin, and the couple had two children together before eventually divorcing. According to Colby, the increasing demands of her public career and growing popularity placed strain on the relationship, contributing to their separation. Despite the divorce, she remains deeply devoted to her children, whom she considers the most important part of her life. Several of her tattoos have been dedicated to them as symbols of her love and commitment.
A passionate advocate for women’s rights, Colby actively supports initiatives that assist women who have experienced domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking, dedicating both her time and resources to these causes.
She later married Alexandre De Meyer, a French artist and graphic designer known for creating logos and visual designs. He reportedly designed the logo for Colby’s clothing brand, 4 Miles 2 Memphis.