Conversations with Rithiely Pereira Najera

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rithiely Pereira Najera.

Hi Rithiely, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Rithiély Desirê Cristine Pereira. In my 32 years of life, I lived in Brazil, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. I am a dancer, creator, choreographer, movement director, and co-founder and former CEO of Dancers Network. ​

Early Life & Career:
I was born in a small town called Lavrinhas in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. For the first decade of my life, I learned about family, love, hard work, pain, and the love for dance and creation. At the age of ten, I moved with my mother to Switzerland, where I learned one of the most valuable lessons of my life: how to adapt to a world that was so far from mine and how to thrive in an environment that did not feel familiar or welcoming.

Due to fate and God, I joined the dance crew Culture Shock Switzerland. This was a fitting name for a place where I would fit in, considering the effect the move from Brazil to Switzerland would have on me. I went on to become one of the choreographers and directors of the company, and until my next move, this is where I learned everything about dance.

At 18, I moved to the United Kingdom, where I entered the well-known competition So You Think You Can Dance. Out of thousands of contestants, I got to the live shows and was one of the top 12 contestants. My journey in London lasted for over eight years.

Once I had a foot in the industry, my career took off, and I went on to dance for many artists in the United Kingdom, such as Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, JLS, Katy B, Fleur East, Anne Marie, Cheryl Cole, and Liam Payne. I have also performed on many well-known television shows such as Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor, The Voice UK, and the European Music Awards. One huge accomplishment was being a part of the Disney movie Aladdin that was filmed in London.

In my years, I have also developed myself as a teacher and choreographer. I have choreographed countless performances since I was 13 years old in Switzerland, all the way to a full two-hour original theater show in Switzerland called ZUP.

After many years of great success, there was still much more I wanted to accomplish. There were so many things I saw in the industry that I did not consider fair or even ethical. So, with a friend, I created the organization Dancers Network UK. An organization created to protect dancers’ rights. That work lasted for four years until I decided to allow the company to grow without my presence.

In 2019, I finally realized a huge dream of mine and moved to Los Angeles. Ever since, I have worked with Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande (Coachella), The Weeknd (After Hours Till Dawn Stadium Tour), Shakira (Super Bowl), Halsey, Camila Cabello, Ava Max, The Voice, Gwen Stefani, Karol G, Becky G, Bad Bunny, and many more.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has had many ruff patches. I think the biggest struggle I faced was moving to Switzerland at such a young age. I went from a very warm environment where I was surrounded by family and love to one where it was just me and my mom in a small apartment in Zurich. The language and cultural barrier were extreme, and it took me years to adapt. But once I found my dance crew, things changed for me. I got to travel to the United States, where I found my calling, and for the next 18 years, I would work towards the goal of moving to LA. As a foreigner, it isn’t easy moving to the States. Establishing relationships with industry professionals that are authentic and strong enough to feel comfortable to ask for help with a visa application is always a little uncomfortable. But god was on my side, and once I decided to make that happen for myself, the road felt a little smoother. My biggest pain point has always been being away from my family for very long periods of time. I missed many births and many funerals due to my pursuing my dreams. I lost some of my favorite people on earth and never got to say goodbye. Always returning to my home that was constantly changing without me.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a dancer, creator, choreographer, and movement director. I specialize in the commercial industry, mostly working with artists. I think what sets me apart from others is my diversity in cultures I’ve experienced in my life. I speak four languages and lived in a total of seven countries for different periods of my life.

I experienced extreme poverty in my early life growing up in Brazil and then the extreme contrast of the lifestyle in Switzerland. I think this gives me a wide reach in understanding human beings and their complexity. I am extremely adaptable and could hold a conversation with pretty much anyone on this planet.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes, absolutely. I’m ashamed to say that up until covid, I never gave much thought to my finances. I always knew I was going to make it work for myself. But being in the States on a visa, unable to work as anything else than a dancer but with no work coming my way, was eye-opening. Since covid, I’ve educated myself in as much as I could in regards to finances.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rithiely.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rithielypereira/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@brasileiranomundo?_t=8gQieAbofbK&_r=1

Image Credits
For the professional full body shot: Photo by: Alissa Roseborough