Professional dancer, actor, singer, and overall creative, Ashia Janae, is one powerful force you don’t want to mess with. She has built up her resume by working in different music videos, live performances, and tour with some of the biggest names in music. Beyonce, Missy Elliott, Jennifer Lopez, Normani, Shakira, and Bad Bunny are just a few artists on the developing list. She has went viral on many occasions, including her most recent video dancing to Megan Thee Stallion “Savage” remix featuring Beyoncé with Tina Knowles (Beyoncé mom) head photoshopped to her body. This creative sat down with JaGurl Ravin to open up about how she got to this point in her career and shared inside details on what is is like in the dancers industry.
“In 2011, I decided to move to Atlanta to pursue dance. I got signed to an agency down in Atlanta and they were like okay if you’re going to be signed to us then you need to move so that we can book you. So I packed my little car up and I was like I’m out of here mom!”
Ahsia did not care how rough things went to get to where she wanted to be as a professional dancer. “It’s so many things that kept me going during that time. I’m a spiritual girl so I’m constantly praying and asking God for guidance. You know, so that’s the basis and the foundation of my drive. And then just being hungry! I wanted to be great, I wanted learn, I wanted to grow, I wanted to be a great dancer. I was willing to sacrifice whatever I needed to sacrifice in order to be that.” She has been open about the many jobs she had to do just to survive in the big city of Atlanta.
In an industry that can be so physically strenuous, it’s always great to have a sold support system. “At first my parents weren’t as supportive, my dad wasn’t as supportive, mom was a little bit more supportive but I kind of had to prove to my dad. Once he saw that I was doing big jobs and on TV and in music videos he started to see the value of what I was doing. So then his support came through and without that I wouldn’t be where I’m at.”
To find out more details on how Ahsia Janae branded herself, faced struggles as a creative, and insight on her experiences working with some of the biggest names in music, watch the full interview here for more.
