How is Danielle Colby going today?
Danielle Colby: Life Beyond American Pickers and the Woman Behind the Spotlight
Whether one is passionate about history or simply fascinated by forgotten treasures, it is almost impossible to resist American Pickers. The long-running show, led by Mike Wolfe, has been on the air for over a decade, delivering a unique blend of adventure, humor, and nostalgia as it explores abandoned yards, dusty garages, and old houses across America.
While the show’s concept plays a major role in its success, its cast has been just as important. Among them is Danielle Colby, whose keen instincts, research skills, and road connections have been essential to many of the show’s greatest discoveries. Since American Pickers debuted in 2010, Colby has remained a core part of the series—and despite major changes in recent years, including the departure of longtime co-host Frank Fritz, her place on the show has remained secure.
Danielle Colby continues to appear on American Pickers, as seen in Season 24, which premiered in January 2023. With a 25th season already in development, her role in the franchise appears stable. At the same time, Colby has been expanding her creative pursuits far beyond television.
A seasoned burlesque performer, Colby frequently tours both across the United States and internationally, performing her well-known “Dannie Diesel Dope Show.” She has also appeared at major events such as the New Orleans-based Jazz Fest in 2023. In addition, she creates exclusive content for online subscription platforms including OnlyFans and Patreon, allowing her to connect directly with fans.
Colby is also deeply committed to charitable causes. She has supported organizations such as Helping Hands for Puerto Rico and Barks of Hope, the latter focusing on rescuing and rehabilitating stray animals. Professionally and personally, she has remained active and engaged—despite facing serious health challenges in late 2022.
That year, Colby revealed that she had been dealing with ongoing pain and severe menstrual issues, which significantly affected her daily life. After being encouraged by Leticia Cline, Mike Wolfe’s girlfriend, to seek medical attention, Colby underwent extensive testing and was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. Doctors determined that her uterus was enlarged and causing widespread physical distress, leaving surgery as the only viable option. Ultimately, she underwent a hysterectomy to protect her health.
Throughout this difficult period, Colby received strong support from her fiancé, illustrator Jeremy Scheuch. Although she initially lost motivation to work after the surgery, she eventually returned to performing, reconnecting with the career she loves.
In recent years, American Pickers has also been surrounded by controversy following Frank Fritz’s exit from the show. In 2021, Mike Wolfe announced that Fritz would not be returning, leading to public accusations from Fritz regarding Wolfe’s handling of the situation. While Colby initially remained silent, she later addressed the matter in an Instagram post, expressing sadness over Fritz’s departure while emphasizing accountability and the consequences of actions that cause harm. Her statement was widely interpreted by fans as support for Wolfe, though the true state of her relationship with Fritz remains unclear.
Long before her television fame, Danielle Colby had already been immersed in the entertainment world. Raised in Iowa in a strict Jehovah’s Witness household, she discovered burlesque in her early teens but did not pursue it seriously until attending a show in 2004. The experience proved transformative, reshaping her understanding of self-expression and performance.
At the time, Colby was working as a makeup artist in Chicago. Despite doubts from friends and acquaintances, she chose to follow her passion, founding her own burlesque troupe, Burlesque Le Mustache, and adopting the stage persona “Dannie Diesel.” She remains an active performer to this day.
Colby is also a mother of two children from her first marriage to Chad Cushman. She later married French graphic designer Alexandre De Meyer, though the couple divorced in 2015. She is currently engaged to Jeremy Scheuch, with whom she shares a love for tattoos, art, and travel.
In addition to her performance career, Colby once ran an Iowa-based vintage shop called 4 Miles 2 Memphis, which featured retro clothing and her original designs. Although the physical stores closed in 2013, her fashion work continues online through jewelry design and the restoration of historically significant burlesque pieces, available on her website, daniellecolby.com. Her educational platform, Stripping History, remains an active project dedicated to preserving and teaching burlesque history.
Today, Danielle Colby stands as far more than a reality TV personality. She is a performer, entrepreneur, historian, activist, and survivor—someone who continues to pursue her passions with resilience and authenticity, both on and off the screen.
