Today we’d like to introduce you to Leila Zandy
Hi Leila, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started dancing when I was 12 years old through the public school program and made the drill team when I was a freshman in high school and that where my love for dance grew.
After I graduated high school I made the decision to not go to college but really started to train and take every class I could take while working a full time job and saving up before my move to LA.
I moved to LA in 2016, did not know anyone expect for 2 people.
Now living in LA for 8 years, I’ve experienced so much here than if I was still living in Texas.
I’ve learned from the best teachers in the industry and I’ve worked on projects that I didn’t think I was capable of doing and seeing myself achieving. My first big gig was a music video for Korean Pop artist, I was first hired as a back up dancer then I got a call from the director and he said that they were going with a different direction and asked if I would be the other lead girl in the video. I had so much fun on set with everyone, it was just fun shoot.
I’ve also done some modeling, acting and some choreography work since I moved to LA.
I feel like all of the work I’ve done as well as the people I’ve met really helped me evolved to the person I am today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely hasn’t been easy, still isn’t lol
It is life but it’s how you can overcome those obstacles and continue to move forward
Growing up I was raised by a single mom, my parents divorced when I was 9-10 years old
My dad wasn’t really involved in our lifes as he should have been,
My mom is superwoman, she scarified a-lot for us and made sure that we were always taken care
Money was always tight, we lived and survived from government help
Thats why I took dance through my school, we didn’t have the money for me to take classes at the studios.
So when I finally could work and save I focused my time on dance
But even after moving to LA, I still always struggle with my confidence and I was compare myself to others and their success. Its a battle within myself which can sometimes make me very depressive but I do know that everyones story and success will be different from others.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am dancer, been dancing since I was 12 years old, My first style of dance that I really trained in was contemporary and later on I focused more on hip hop and other styles.
I am proud of myself that I made the decision to move to LA to pursue dance and really love living in the city.
Sine moving to LA I’ve explored and experienced so much here and really grew as a person.
I’ve done alot of work out here and been given great opportunities than if I was still living in Austin.
What were you like growing up?
I was a very shy person, I was nervous to even to talk to guys lol.
I was a good student, I worked hard and made A’s which I had to prove.
I have ADD and I had speech issues where I had to have a “teacher assistant” to help me with the assignments and work. But as soon as I got to middle I didn’t want the help and even though they tried to keep me there my mom really pushed them to let me go to the “normal” regular classes. I proved them wrong and got A’s and I was soon released from the “special” program.
Even though people at school thought I was really shy at home me and family are crazy silly and loud.
Some of family think I’m funny (but they say not that funny for standup lol)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leilazandy/
Image Credits
@lelaphotography
