Conversations with Samantha Abrantes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Abrantes.

Hi Samantha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I moved to LA in 2005 and completed the Edge Scholarship program a year later. Signed with a talent agency straight away and have been working professionally in the dance community ever since. I’ve been lucky enough to appear on live television/award shows with artists such as Nicole Scherzinger, Empire of the Sun, Kelly Clarkson, Carmen Electra, Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Redfoo, The Weeknd, Shania Twain and many more. Some of the notable television credits I’ve gotten to be a part of include Soundtrack, Penny Dreadful: City of Angel, Lucifer, Glee, Dancing with the Stars, Christmas Story Live, Schooled, General Hospital, The Late Late Show with James Corden and CONAN. I can also be seen dancing in the feature films Lalaland, Valley Girl, Burlesque and Fired Up. My commercial and industrial credits include El Pollo Loco, Old Navy, Bank of America, Direct TV, Apple, Nike, Lululemon, Adidas, Instagram, Samsung and Bench. My career thus far has allowed me to travel and see the world doing what I love. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to work with some of the industry’s most renowned choreographers, directors and artists. Since 2015, I have choreographed and toured the world with Empire of the Sun. Most recently I’ve gotten to work on season 2 of Physical on Apple TV +, Sex Life of College Girls on HBO max and a new series HULU is creating about the Chippendales. I’ve also been teaching Pilates/fitness for the last 10 years. I have certifications in classical Pilates, HIIT, Sugarfoot Therapy. I have taught at several Pilates studios in the LA area as well as trained celebrities like Anjelah Johnson and Usher.

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?
The entertainment industry is extremely cutthroat. Loads of rejection and constantly being compared to your peers has always been the most challenging part. You really have to have tough skin and the confidence to keep pushing. The first tour I ever booked was with Nicki Minaj. I was so young and inexperienced – I didn’t know what to expect. It was as equally mentally exhausting as it was physically. Every rehearsal was basically a long grueling audition. We were repeatedly told that not everyone was going to be on the tour so every rehearsal felt like we had to dance/compete for our lives. Lots of blood, sweat and tears. I learned a lot from that job – taught me about hard work, perseverance and ultimately, my worth.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve been working professionally in the Los Angeles dance community for nearly 15 years and teaching Pilates/fitness for the last 10. Proud to say that I’m well versed when it comes to working on film/television… or what our industry likes to call “seasoned”. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to choreograph and dance for the band Empire of the Sun – including performances for Coachella, Jool’s Holland and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

During the pandemic, I started my own online fitness platform called Sweat with Sam. Getting to sweat and stay fit with clients I love really fills my cup and keeps me motivated.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
When I was 14 my older sister Penelope (who moved to LA to pursue dance before me) took me to see Britney Spears concert. I was excessively obsessed with her so if you can only imagine 14 years old me seeing her live for the first time. I was in AWE… not only mesmerized by her but also by her badass dancers. I remember that was the moment I realized that I could make a career out of dancing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @samanthabrantes @sweatwithsamla
• Facebook: @samanthajabrantes
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/bVth0AxvhEI, https://youtu.be/UWBvDa3fg-E
• Other: Fitmixstudio.com

Image Credits
Abigail Gorden, Adam Rose, Wes Klain, Miles Clark, Carlos Gonzalez