At 71, Mary Serritella, performing under the name Mary Caryl, continues to defy age and expectations. On a September night at The Bourbon Room in Hollywood, Serritella wowed the crowd as she spun around a silver pole in neon heels and translucent yellow bell-bottoms, effortlessly performing intricate moves with names like “The Chopstick” and “The Jade Split.” Her flexibility and strength captivated the audience, but it was the revelation of her age that brought the house down.
Serritella’s journey into pole dancing began at 57, after a friend introduced her to a class. Though she struggled at first, the challenge inspired her, and she immersed herself in training. Over the years, she mastered the art, combining athleticism with storytelling and sensuality in her performances. Despite facing the physical challenges that come with age, including arthritis and a hip replacement, Serritella continues to perform with the passion and grace of someone decades younger.
Her pole dancing is a reminder that aging does not mean giving up on beauty, strength, or the activities you love. “You never lose it if you never let it go,” Serritella told the crowd, after an awe-inspiring performance that left even younger performers in admiration. Christina Calph, who booked Serritella for the evening, said, “She’s an inspiration. I see her and think, ‘I can be beautiful for the rest of my life.’”
Serritella trains five times a week to maintain her strength and flexibility, a routine that allows her to keep performing despite the challenges of aging. For her, pole dancing is not just about the physical aspect but also about defying societal expectations of what older women should or shouldn’t do. “I just didn’t want to absorb that ‘I can’t’ attitude,” she said, referencing how society often limits women as they age.
With a background in beauty and a career that includes makeup sales and designing pole dancing clothes, Serritella is also a wealth of advice on maintaining vitality. Her key tips? Stay hydrated, keep moving, and indulge in life’s pleasures—whether it’s a new lipstick or a piece of cake.
Through her dancing, Serritella proves that age is just a number and that there’s no expiration date on living life to the fullest. Her message is simple: If there’s something you want to do, don’t let age stop you.
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