Alice Ozy

Julie Justine Pilloy (1820–1893), better known by her stage name Alice Ozy, was an actress and courtesan active during the mid-to-late 19th century. She was well known and liked for her roles in various performances, as well as being the subject of numerous paintings and poems by renowned artists. She was also a respected courtesan, and became associated with various wealthy and prominent men.

Early life and acting career Julie Justine Pilloy was born to Jean Baptiste Pilloy and Charlotte Amédée Ozi on 6 August 1820 in Paris, France. Her siblings included Charles Auguste Pilloy, born in 1818, and two half siblings on her father's side resulting from an affair. Charlotte placed Alice under the responsibility of a foster-mother until she was old enough to practice embroidery in Belleville, an apprenticeship which she began at about the age of 10.

During her time as an embroiderer, Ozy was inspired to enter the theatre when she met Paul-Louis-Edouard Brindeau, who soon became her lover. In 1840 at age 20, she gave her first performance of Les Enréges at the Théâtre des Variétés. This is also when she took on the name "Alice Ozy", an iteration of her mother's maiden name. She was admired by the public for her beauty rather than her acting skills. She used the admiration to her advantage to secure herself a comfortable lifestyle. In V'là c'qui juste d'paraître, 1846, Ozy famously shocked audience members with her costume: a flesh-colored bodysuit and a diamond headpiece which was said to be worth over 200,000 francs. Théodore Chassériau, She was the subject of numerous paintings, illustrations, texts, and poems.

Some other notable performances featuring Ozy include Chaste Suzanne, 1839; La nuit aux soufflets, 1842; Un voyage en Espagne, 1843; and solidified her status as a salonnière. When selecting her lovers, she is said to have favored wealthy men who could support her, although she maintained a place in her heart for those who pursued creative expression as well.