Studio 152 Launceston owner Celeste Bates reveals all
CANDID INTERVIEW: Studio 152 owner Celeste Bates speaks about how exiting an unhappy marriage and meeting a man on Tinder transformed her life. Pictures: Paul Scambler
After Celeste Bates was told about her daughter's new career as a stripper, the mother of six felt furious.
"I was so judgmental that I didn't talk to her for years," Ms Bates admitted.
"I wish now I could have just supported her to be herself. I judged anything that was sexual and sensual.
"I was hypocritical as deep down, unconsciously that is what I so deeply yearned for. That is what I was craving ... to be out there and not to be hidden."
Now after more than two decades living a relatively quite life, Ms Bates, 45, is a far cry from her former self.
In early 2019, after she purchased an old building in Launceston, Tasmania, for about $450,000 Ms Bates opened Studio 152.
Space in the erotic massage parlour is rented out by masseurs who use the building as a base to provide paid, discrete services to mostly male customers.
Before she moved into the erotic massage industry and became a small businesswoman, Ms Bates lacked confidence and felt trapped in an unhappy marriage for more than 20 years.
Although he was a millionaire I didn't have any money as everything was in my husband's name.
Celeste Bates
Feeling "worthless, ugly and fat" and "being sexually shut down and controlled" were normal parts of life, Ms Bates said.
"I was so sad and miserable living that way which was a lie to who I was as woman," she said.
"So I made a decision to change my life."
Ms Bates still blames herself for the breakdown of the marriage.
"Placing all my worth on what my husband thought of me was a choice I made," she said
"It wasn't his choice it was mine ... I chose a husband that supported me in feeling that way about myself and I chose to stay hidden. I was dead inside. It wasn't his fault it was mine.
"I thrived on people feeling sorry for me."
Regaining control
With about $10 in her pocket, Ms Bates said she ended her marriage.
"I just packed a few clothes and left," she said.
"I slept in the car and cried. It was the bravest thing I had ever done.
ABOVE: Celeste Bates inside one of the rooms at Studio 152, the small business she set up in Launceston in 2019.
"Although he was a millionaire I didn't have any money as everything was in my husband's name. Even my car was in his name. All I had was a few clothes."
Ms Bates said she went through more than of two years of court proceedings after the marriage ended.
"The final settlement was fair," she said.
"It recognised my role and recognised his in creating our wealth."
When she became single again, Ms Bates said she felt freed.
"After I left my ex-husband I made up for lost years. I did everything ... beating myself up did nothing," she said.
"You have to feel worthy right away no matter what size you are or how old you are or whatever. So I started to dress up even though I was overweight. Feeling a bit better about myself meant I didn't need the food as my drug.
"I'm still a bit critical of my body but so so much better. I love my curves. I use to hate my body, but I embrace every curve and imperfection now."
With her new found confidence, Ms Bates said she started using the dating app Tinder.
It brought her into contact with Roderick West, a businessman who had recently purchased the Studio 14 erotic massage parlour in Hobart.
The couple fell in love and Mr West inspired Ms Bates to establish Studio 152 in Launceston.
HAPPILY ENGAGED: Tasmanian erotic massage parlour owners Roderick West and Celeste Bates will soon be married.
"I put a lot of money and time into making it just perfect," Ms Bates said.
Standing proud
Studio 152 is one of Ms Bates' greatest achievements and despite stigma which surrounds the services offered by the business and women who work in it, she is proud of her investment.
"Just about every woman that comes to work at the studio is critical of her body and is seeking to change her life," Ms Bates said.
TOP: Celeste Bates says she knows people judge her, but that won't stop her from speaking passionately about her business and the services it facilitates.
"They come from every walk of life. Managers, mothers, students, child care workers, aged carers, law students, book-keepers, flight attendants and system operators. They come in all shapes and sizes. The 'angels' are aged from 18 to 50 and the more mature women are some of the most popular."
Ms Bates believes Studio 152 empowers the women who use it to earn an income.
"They feel great about their bodies ... they feel they are making the most important contribution of their lives," she said.
"I see how important it is for women themselves who work at the studio and how it makes them feel empowered, fulfilled and happy.
"That has been what not only makes me happy but has helped me to grow as a woman. As I have helped them to transform I was also transforming with them. Me helping them was also them helping me."
Gia is one of Ms Bates' newest recruits who rents rooms at Studio 152.
The 23-year-old worked in the hospitality industry and she planned to move to Melbourne to become a stripper before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
LEFT: Gia, a 23-year-old woman who recently started delivering erotic massage services out of Studio 152 in Launceston.
"I started working here last week," Gia said.
"I'm earning in a day what I used to earn in a fortnight."
Rising demand
Ms Bates said demand for services had risen since Studio 152 reopened last week after the Tasmanian Government relaxed COVID-19 restrictions.
Couples were among the increasing number of customers and Ms Bates believed it was because she had started speaking publicly, and proudly, about the benefits of erotic massage.
"Most of the clients are men, but we also get couples and women," she said.
"It's wonderful to see the couples that come in to see their lives enriched and fulfilled by the experience. It always brings them closer together.
"People also don't come just for the sexual side, last week a man came for 90 minutes to talk."
Ms Bates described Studio 152 as being "all about sensuality".
"We create the most beautiful, soft feminine and romantic setting with sexy scents, candles, warm massage oil and sensual music," she said.
"I'm really wanting to offer more for women. Why should men get all the fun and pampering? We are developing some new packages aimed at women."
Bright future
Ms Bates, now a grandmother, said her and Mr West were now engaged and would marry after the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
The couple also plan to invest in more business opportunities in Tasmania.
"We are looking at some very exciting opportunities for the future," Ms Bates said.
"We are in negotiation to buy a night club in Hobart.
"I want to make it a safe place for everyone and ever gender and every sexual orientation to be free to be themselves and free to express their sexuality."