The “Queen of Rust,” the burlesque legend, the woman who turned a reality TV paycheck into something far more meaningful, is now the founder and curator of the Ecdysiast Arts Museum in Davenport, Iowa. She’s performing burlesque shows that celebrate the history of stripping, producing interactive events, and living the DIY ethos she always believed in.
After announcing on her 50th birthday (December 3, 2025) that American Pickers was “done,” Danielle returned to Instagram with a video that felt like a victory lap. She opened her long-dreamed-of museum in June 2025, performed at the Adler Theatre, and is now hosting events like “Belly Dancing Meets Burlesque” on July 11, 2026 — right here in Davenport.
This isn’t a quiet retirement. It’s a bold, vibrant, unfiltered second act.
This article pulls back the curtain on the untold story: what Danielle Colby has been up to in 2026, the struggles and triumphs she’s faced, the man she married, and why she’s choosing to chase art, history, and joy over the next big TV paycheck.
From Chicago to Davenport: The Burlesque Roots That Started It All
Danielle Colby’s journey didn’t begin on a pickers’ set. It began in a smoky burlesque club in Chicago in the early 2000s.
While living with her family in the Quad Cities area of Iowa, she attended a show headlined by Margaret Cho and Satan’s Angel. Something clicked. Within months, she was performing under the stage name Dannie Diesel with her own troupe, Burlesque Le Moustache — a professional group that toured eastern Iowa and western Illinois.
She owned a burlesque academy in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood (which later closed). She taught classes, restored vintage costumes, and collected artifacts for what would one day become the Ecdysiast Arts Museum.
When American Pickers premiered in 2010, her friend Mike Wolfe asked her to help run the Antique Archaeology shop in LeClaire, Iowa. What started as a side job became her calling. For 16 years she managed the office, negotiated deals, hunted rare finds, and brought a fierce, funny energy that made her one of the show’s most beloved characters. Fans loved her quick wit, her passion for history, and her ability to turn a dusty barn into a goldmine.
But deep down, Danielle always knew there was more. The museum wasn’t just a business — it was her life’s passion finally given a home.
The Big Announcement That Shook Fans in 2025
On December 3, 2025, at her 50th birthday celebration, Danielle posted a long Instagram video that left many stunned.
She sat down with her husband Jeremy Scheuch, recounted the breakfast she’d just had, and then dropped the bomb: “I just found out that American Pickers is done.”
She was thrilled. She had just opened the Ecdysiast Arts Museum in mid-2024 at 322 Brady Street in downtown Davenport — a brick-and-mortar space dedicated to the history of burlesque, with her personal collection of costumes, photos, posters, jewelry, books, and interactive exhibits.
“I’ve loved my job for almost two decades and it’s been amazing,” she said, “but this is like… I’m so excited to just focus on this right now.”
The video became a masterclass in gratitude and forward momentum. She talked about the “big transitions” in her life and the decision to go fully DIY — no more network checks, no more big production budget. Just her, her museum, and her fans.
Mike Wolfe quickly clarified on Instagram that the show wasn’t truly “cancelled” in the traditional sense — new episodes were still in the works, and History Channel would continue airing premieres into 2026. But Danielle had already made her choice. She was done chasing another season.
Ecdysiast Arts Museum: The Heart of Danielle Colby’s 2026
The Ecdysiast Arts Museum opened to the public on June 21, 2025. It’s not a typical museum. It’s a celebration of burlesque as performance art, history, and rebellion.
Inside you’ll find:
Rotating exhibits of vintage costumes and artifacts from Danielle’s personal collection
Interactive displays telling the stories of legendary performers
Live shows every weekend (sometimes three times a week)
The museum is 21+ only, and the bar is open with an exclusive drink menu. Danielle has already produced shows like “QC New Year Reverie” at the Adler Theatre (December 31, 2025) and “Talk the Tease” — a 30-minute oration on burlesque history where she lets her deep knowledge shine.
Her personal favorite? The costumes. She has spent years researching, restoring, and preserving them. One of her proudest moments was performing Gin Rummy with legendary musician Soda Gardocki, tributing Sally Rand — the original “crazy girl” of burlesque.
In 2026, the museum continues to evolve. Events like the July 11 performance with belly-dancer Samantha Karadsheh are already selling out. Danielle has said she’s taking fans on the ride as she figures out how to make the museum self-sustaining. “Completely DIY,” she called it — but with a lot of heart and a lot of show.
Personal Life: Love, Marriage, and the Man Behind the Scenes
Danielle Colby (they/them pronouns) married Jeremy Scheuch in Puerto Rico on February 24, 2024. The couple keeps their relationship relatively private, but Danielle has shared rare glimpses — including a photo from her 50th birthday breakfast with Jeremy, and posts celebrating their life together.
Jeremy is supportive of her artistic dreams. He’s appeared in rare photos with her, and fans often note how he grounds her in the everyday while she chases bigger, bolder projects.
Their story is one of quiet strength. Danielle has spoken about the challenges of fame and the importance of choosing partners who celebrate her authentic self. Jeremy seems to be that person — the steady presence behind the “Dannie Diesel” performer we all fell in love with.
The DIY Truth: How Danielle Is Making Money in 2026
Many fans were worried after the show ended. Without the paycheck and the platform, how would she sustain the museum?
Danielle’s answer is pure Danielle: she’s figuring it out the same way she started — through hustle, passion, and community.
She’s producing events, offering private tours by appointment, selling museum-related merch, and continuing to perform. She’s also open to new TV or media opportunities if they align with her values. But right now, the focus is 100% on Ecdysiast.
She’s said she’ll post vlogs and updates as she navigates the financial side — a promise that has already kept her engaged with fans.
Why This Chapter Matters: Danielle Colby in 2026
At 50, Danielle Colby is doing exactly what she was always meant to do: live on her own terms.
She’s no longer “the office manager” or “the pickers’ sweetheart.” She’s a museum founder, a performer, a historian, an entrepreneur, and a woman who refused to fade into retirement.
The untold truth about her life in 2026 is this: she’s building something beautiful from the pieces she’s collected her entire life — costumes, stories, people, and the belief that burlesque deserves its place in history.
And she’s taking us with her.
Want to see it for yourself?
Visit ecdysiastartsmuseum.com for the full event calendar. Follow @dannie_diesel_ecdysiast on Instagram for the latest performances, museum updates, and behind-the-scenes looks. Watch her old American Pickers episodes on History or streaming services — you’ll see the woman who started it all.
Danielle Colby isn’t just doing something in 2026. She’s becoming something.
And the world — especially the burlesque community and every fan who fell in love with her on American Pickers — is cheering her on.
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