When Fantasy Becomes Projection

In this episode of Spicy Spectrum, I explore how fantasy shapes the way we see other people, and what happens when curiosity turns into projection.

I am joined by photographer Elizabeth Waterman, whose work documents the lives of strippers, entertainers, and sex workers with depth, dignity, and humanity. We talk about her ongoing project in Thailand, where she photographs transgender women working in nightlife and entertainment, and how Western fantasy often flattens complex human realities. Elizabeth shares insight into her creative process, the responsibility of representation, and why seeing people clearly matters.

Our conversation touches on gender, power, agency, and the tension between fantasy and lived experience. We also discuss her past project Candyland and her upcoming series Propulsion, which continues her exploration of movement, transformation, and performance.

After the interview, I shift inward and invite listeners to reflect on their own inner world. As we close out the year, I talk about releasing shame, examining fantasy with honesty, and approaching curiosity with intention and accountability. Fantasy is not something we get to place onto others without care. It starts with self awareness.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, see more clearly, and carry that awareness into the year ahead.

You can explore Elizabeth’s work at elizabethwaterman.com
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