Ex-Chippendales Dancer Speaks Out on Shocking Murder Plot

In the sexy, adrenaline-fueled world of Chippendales, Read Scot was living the dream — until that dream morphed into a waking nightmare. One moment, he was captivating audiences as a top performer in the iconic male revue; the next, he was the target of a cold-blooded assassination plot orchestrated by his own boss. For decades, he kept his terrifying ordeal a secret, but now, he's breaking his silence on a shocking story of betrayal, survival, and the dark side of the entertainment industry.

A Rising Star in Chippendales

In the early 1980s, Chippendales had become a cultural phenomenon. Women flocked to clubs to see well-sculpted men in bow ties, wrist cuffs, and tight black pants dance their way into their hearts. For Read Scot, joining the male revue was a dream come true. He worked closely with Chippendales founder Somen "Steve" Banerjee and creative director Nick De Noia, experiencing firsthand the power struggles that would later turn deadly.

Despite the club's overwhelming success, tension grew between Banerjee and De Noia. Their business partnership dissolved in the late 1980s, with De Noia securing the touring rights to Chippendales through a deal hastily written on a napkin. This decision infuriated Banerjee, who believed he had been cheated out of his fair share of profits.

A Murderous Scheme Unfolds

The rivalry between Banerjee and De Noia took a dark turn on April 7, 1987, when De Noia was found shot in the face in his Manhattan office. The murder initially baffled investigators, but those close to the business had their suspicions. Former Chippendales creative director Eric Gilbert believed Banerjee was involved.

Years later, the sinister scope of Banerjee's ambitions came to light. In 1991, Scot had left Chippendales and joined a rival all-male burlesque show called Adonis. Banerjee, unwilling to tolerate competition, orchestrated a plot to eliminate three former Chippendales employees — Scot, fellow dancer Michael Fullington, and producer Steve White.

A Chilling Warning

While performing onstage in London, Scot was abruptly pulled aside by his business partner. In a small office space at the venue, two men in suits introduced themselves as FBI agents. Their message was horrifying: There was a contract out for his life involving a planned cyanide injection. At that moment, Scot's life turned into something out of a crime thriller.

Faced with this terrifying reality, Scot had a choice — go into hiding or stay and work with law enforcement to catch those responsible. He chose the latter, maintaining appearances with Adonis while living under constant fear for his life.

How the Plot Unraveled

Banerjee's plan fell apart when one of the hired assassins, known to authorities as "Strawberry," got cold feet and went to the FBI, as reported by Newsweek. This tip led to the arrest of Banerjee's hitman, Ray Colon, who eventually cooperated with investigators after spending seven months in jail. Colon's testimony was the key to linking Banerjee to both De Noia's murder and the planned assassinations of Scot and his colleagues.

Authorities set up a sting operation. Colon, now an informant, met Banerjee while wearing a recording device. During their conversation, Banerjee asked if the FBI had mentioned anything about "the D" — a coded reference to De Noia, as reported by ABC News. This admission helped solidify his guilt.

Banerjee's Downfall

Banerjee was arrested in 1993 and charged with racketeering, arson, and murder-for-hire. To avoid trial, he pleaded guilty in 1994, accepting a 26-year prison sentence and forfeiting his stake in Chippendales. However, just hours before his sentencing, he was found dead in his jail cell — having taken his own life.

Life After the Nightmare

Though Banerjee was gone, Scot struggled with the psychological aftermath of the ordeal. For years, he lived in fear, constantly looking over his shoulder and sleeping with the lights on.

Today, Scot and his wife, Carol, run Great Scot Entertainment, an event production company he launched in 2018. He has no plans to return to the stage, instead choosing to focus on the business side of the entertainment industry.

The story of Read Scot is one of resilience, survival, and justice. What began as a dream job in entertainment turned into a life-threatening ordeal, exposing the dark underbelly of a glamorous empire. Though decades have passed, Scot's story serves as a haunting reminder of how power and greed can drive even the most successful individuals to commit unthinkable crimes.

References: How an Ex-Chippendales Dancer Survived a Murder Plot Hatched by His Boss | Former Chippendales Dancer Recounts Deadly Plot — 'I Got This Cold Chill' | Behind Chippendales' Glam Was a Founder Who Orchestrated Murder-for-Hire Plots