Rising Stars: Meet Nazar of Los angeles / Paris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nazar.

Hi Nazar, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello. My name is Nazar, and I’m originally from Paris, France, where my parents immigrated before I was born. I grew up in a disadvantaged neighborhood, and I’ve always had to work hard and fight for the things I wanted to accomplish in life.

I went quite far with my education and eventually earned a Master’s degree in International Management, while dancing on the side at the same time. For a long time, I didn’t really believe that I could make a living from my passion.

That changed after I went through some serious health issues. It made me realize how fragile life can be and that, ultimately, you have to make the most of it and pursue what you truly love.

That was really the turning point for me. I decided to take my passion for dance seriously and see where it could take me. And that journey eventually brought me to where I am today. I moved to Los Angeles four and a half years ago, and I’ve been based here ever since, continuing to build my career and pursue my passion and dreams.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve definitely faced a lot of obstacles throughout my journey.

One of the biggest challenges was that I never really had a crew or a team around me. I’ve mostly had to figure things out on my own and find my own way even if I had the best teachers.

I also realized relatively late that I actually wanted to make a living from dance. By the time I made that decision, I felt like I had a lot of catching up to do. I had already spent years studying and eventually earned a Master’s degree in International Management, while dancing on the side, so making the decision to fully pursue dance was a big leap for me.

I also went through some serious health issues, which really made me realize how fragile life can be and forced me to put my priorities into perspective. It made me understand that life is too short not to pursue what you truly love.

Another major challenge has been being a plus-size dancer. There are still a lot of expectations and stereotypes around what a dancer is supposed to look like, and I’ve definitely experienced moments where I felt like I didn’t fit that image…

But I’ve also been able to break through some of those barriers. I became the first plus-size male dancer to have my own character in the video game Just Dance (after a big audition) and I was also the first to reach that level of exposure working alongside so many major artists, including numerous number-one artists. I’ve also had the opportunity to dance in major campaigns and commercials, including for Lancôme.

Beyond dance, I’ve also worked as a model for major brands, which opened up another side of the industry for me.

And another challenge was that I never had formal dance training. I didn’t go through a traditional dance school or follow a structured program. Most of what I’ve learned has come from training on my own, watching, practicing, making mistakes, and constantly pushing myself to improve.

So I think one of the biggest challenges throughout my journey has been finding my own path and proving to myself that I could build a career in dance without necessarily having the traditional background, training, or body type that people might expect.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I would say that one of the things that really defines me as a dancer is my versatility. Not just in the way I move, but also in the way I work. My main specialties are really Hip-Hop and House dance, but I can also dance, choreograph, assist, teach, and mentor other dancers. I really enjoy being able to adapt to different environments and different roles, depending on what a project needs.

I’m very proud of the opportunities I’ve had throughout my career. Being part of the GRAMMYs was a huge milestone for me, as well as being part of the FIFA opening in Los Angeles. But beyond the big events, I’m also incredibly proud of having had the opportunity to work with legends I used to watch in music videos when I was a kid, like Fatima Robinson, Eddie Morales, or Jamal Sims for example. Going from watching these people on screen as a kid to actually working alongside them is something that means a lot to me.

I’m very proud of my journey in the battle scene. I’ve won a lot of battles over the years, and I’ve also had the opportunity to judge many battles internationally. That side of my career is really important to me because it’s where my roots as a dancer are.
I am also proud of the opportunities I’ve had to be part of music videos for artists like Eminem or Snoop Dogg, as well as performances for Bad Bunny, Tv shows like America250, among many other projects. Growing up watching music videos on MTV, I never imagined that one day I would actually be part of that world and see myself in those videos. That’s something that still feels very special to me.
I think what sets me apart is that I don’t see myself as just one type of dancer. I come from the underground and battle scene, but I’ve also built a career in the commercial and professional dance industry. I’ve always tried to develop different sides of myself and keep learning, whether I’m performing, creating, teaching, or helping someone else grow.

For me, being a dancer is not just about the movement. It’s also about being adaptable, understanding the environment you’re in, knowing how to work with people, and being able to bring something to a project beyond just your dancing.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I think I was a mix of different things. I could be very introverted or very outgoing, depending on the people and the environment I was in. I was always very much a dreamer and a creative person, and I definitely had a bit of a rebellious and mischievous side at one point too.

I also tried a lot of different sports growing up. I think that’s where I started developing that competitive side of my personality. I’ve always liked challenges and pushing myself to see what I could achieve.

I was also really fascinated by music and music videos. I used to watch a lot of MTV when I was younger. My brother-in-law had managed to get cable for us, which felt like a big deal at the time, so I would spend a lot of time watching music videos. I think that’s where my fascination with artists, choreography, and the whole world around music really started.

I’ve always been quite stubborn as well. I don’t necessarily see that as a bad thing when I really want something, I can be very persistent and I don’t give up easily.

Looking back, I think a lot of the qualities I had as a kid being creative, competitive, curious, and a dreamer are still very much a part of who I am today

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @nazar_dancer