Conversations with Tomoka Morikawa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tomoka Morikawa.

Hi Tomoka, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m originally from Japan, and I started dancing when I was 19. I didn’t grow up dancing, so I started later than a lot of people, but once I found dance, I completely fell in love with it.

In 2021, I moved to Los Angeles on my own to seriously pursue my dream of becoming a professional dancer. Since then, I’ve spent years training, taking classes, assisting, performing, and constantly pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.

There have definitely been challenges along the way, especially moving to a new country, learning English, navigating school and visas, and building a career from scratch. But every experience has helped me grow, not only as a dancer but also as a person.

Today, I’m represented by Bloc LA and have had the opportunity to work on music videos, performances, and tour with major artists. Most recently, I’ve been touring with Charli XCX, which has been one of the biggest and most meaningful experiences of my career so far.

I still feel like I’m just getting started, and I’m excited to keep growing, traveling, creating, and seeing where dance takes me next.

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?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges for me has been the language barrier. Moving from Japan to the U.S. and trying to build a career in an industry where English isn’t my first language was intimidating at times, especially when it came to communicating, networking, and expressing myself confidently.

Getting signed with an agency was another challenge. It took a lot of time, training, patience, and rejection before I finally found the right representation.

I also struggled with comparing myself to other dancers. There are so many incredibly talented dancers here, and it’s easy to feel like you’re not good enough. Over time, I realized that instead of trying to be like everyone else, I needed to figure out what makes me different.

One of the biggest parts of my journey has been discovering my own strengths and what I can bring as a dancer that is uniquely mine. Rather than trying to compete with dancers from all over the world, I’ve learned to focus on my individuality and keep developing the qualities that make me stand out.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a professional dancer based in Los Angeles, working mainly in commercial dance, live performance, music videos, and touring. My training includes hip-hop, jazz funk, heels, contemporary, dancehall, and freestyle, and I think one of my biggest strengths is being versatile and able to adapt to different artists, styles, and environments.

I’m especially proud of how far I’ve come since moving from Japan to pursue dance. Getting signed with Bloc LA and having the opportunity to tour and perform with Charli XCX has been a huge milestone for me and something I’m incredibly grateful for.

What sets me apart is my combination of musicality, flexibility, performance quality, and my background as a Japanese dancer building a career in the U.S. Because I started dancing later than many others, I’ve always had a strong work ethic and a hunger to keep learning. I try to bring not only technique, but also my own personality, energy, and individuality into everything I do.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I’d love to share that it’s never too late to start something you truly love. I started dancing at 19, and there were many moments when I questioned whether I was too late or whether I could really build a career in another country.

But I’ve learned that everyone’s journey looks different. I’m still growing, learning, and chasing bigger dreams, but I’m really proud that I kept going even when things felt uncertain. I hope my story can encourage someone else to trust their own timing, embrace what makes them different, and keep going after what they want.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badassickiller?stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@badassickiller?_r=1&_t=ZS-99q0YAAcndh