Las Vegas Weekly

Jaimie Johnson—Stepping it up

Photo: Iris Dumuk

Hometown: Sandusky, OH

Age: 22

Profession: Bevertainer, Rio

Profile: After stints on cruise ships, in the Rio’s Show in the Sky, in the Tropicana’s Folies Bergere and at Hawaiian Tropic Zone (pictured, in uniform), Jaimie returned to the Rio this time to bevertain her heart out nightly. Beginning at 1 a.m., look for her one-minute routines to Will Smith’s “Switch,” a “Sweet Dreams” remix and her favorite, Flo Rida’s “Low.” But there’s no doubt this confirmed Parrothead would rather be listening to Jimmy Buffett; she sees him perform annually, makes pilgrimages to Margaritaville Restaurant and dreams at night of a barefoot retirement on St. Thomas or St. Martin.

Why I do what I do: “All my life, dancing, I was always working hard. Constantly practicing … It was just such hard work, but I loved it so. When it comes to school, I’m very dedicated to my work. I feel being raised as a dancer … I was always being challenged. Now, going to school, I’m always challenged every day in class. But that’s what I love.”

Personal tidbit: Inspired by both of her hero parents (mom is a nurse, dad a firefighter/paramedic), but still needing to do it her way, Jaimie is now studying sports medicine and hopes ultimately to attend the holistic medical program at Toro University in Henderson.

What I’m listening to: Tales From Margaritaville (audiobook), by Jimmy Buffett

Latest accomplishment: Totally aced a killer Biology class notorious for a 75 percent failure rate. Take that, Fundamentals of Life: Bio 189!

Quote: “Money was never meant to last.” –Jimmy Buffett