Daily Inspiration: Meet Maddie Raine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maddie Raine. 

Maddie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Maddie Raine, I’m 20 years old, and I live in North Hollywood. My journey, up until this point has been filled with lots of highs, lows, laughter, trauma, and valuable lessons. It was an absolute rollercoaster but I’m thankful for where I am now. 

I began dancing in preschool. I loved to dance but I absolutely hated being on stage. Because of my stage fright, I started trying a bunch of different things. I played soccer, volleyball, sang, and did gymnastics. These things really helped me push past my fear of performing in front of others and helped me reconnect with dance. I knew this was something I wanted to pursue. I trained at Academy of Dance in Westlake Village, CA. This is where I fell head over heels with dance and realized this is what I was truly passionate about. 

I began competing on the company while I was in high school. We performed at all types of different conventions and competitions together. I built a tremendous amount of relationships and learned so many things about my craft. 

During this chapter in my life, I went through a variety of different things that really affected me and the way I lived my life during high school. At one point I felt lost, but opportunities started arising out of nowhere, and I felt like I had a purpose again. 

I moved to LA at the age of 18, after graduating from my dance company, and began dancing at AMDA college of the performing arts in fall 2019.  There I met some amazing and inspiring people. It was a new beginning and a fresh start. The instructors were incredible and taught me so much. My experience at AMDA was a journey within itself but I’m extremely grateful for every second. I graduated from AMDA the Summer of 2021 with my AOS degree in dance. From that point on, I have been training, got a new job learning interior design, and started working on my first official dance project. 

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 high school years were some of the most difficult and challenging years of my life. At age 16, I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I began taking medication and speaking to a therapist weekly to try to help me work through everything. Like a lot of people, I had my inner demons that resulted in a lot of self-doubts, and lack of confidence. I felt alone. During this time, I got into a relationship with someone who was absolutely toxic and unhealthy for me. I was mistreated, used, and emotionally, mentally, and physically abused. This lasted for about a year and half. 

During the same time period, I was experiencing severe pain in my lower back which was making dance really difficult. I broke my tailbone in a rehearsal and started physical therapy but never felt any relief. After two years of pushing through pain and continuing to dance, I finally went to a specialist. Just before a competition, the doctor called to tell me that I had a fracture in my lower spine and I needed to stop dancing immediately. I was taken out of dance for 9 months and was basically bedridden. 

When I was told I couldn’t dance anymore, I felt even more trapped in my relationship. He wanted to isolate me so much that he talked me into pulling out of high school and getting my GED. He convinced me to tell my parents that I needed to do this to become more involved with dance, even though he didn’t want me doing this either. I went to Westlake High school for my freshman year and part of my sophomore year. I started having panic attacks while in school so I opted to try homeschooling and then decided to get my GED. When I began homeschooling, I didn’t see my school friends as often and my boyfriend made me cut out every person, I had a relationship with, except for a few close people. 

He began threatening me, brainwashing me, abusing me, and stripping me of everything that I valued in myself. He degraded every part of me. Told me I was worthless and wouldn’t amount to anything. I felt weak and I believed I was. I felt like there was no way out. Until one day I finally saw a way out. So, I left him. It wasn’t easy but I was happy to have the support of friends and family to help me through it. 

One specific day I will never forget, which changed my life forever. A day filled with pain and fear. I was choked, thrown around, and raped.  A day I still have not been able to let go of, or forget. Something that haunts me every day of my life. He stalked me, showed up at my house, chased me and followed me in my car, and harassed all the people I started reconnecting with. But it was the day I made the decision to leave. I did it and survived. 

I fought hard for myself, even though I barely wanted to live. I fought for my parents, family, and the people I cared about most in my life. I started dancing again after my recovery with my back injury and leaving that relationship. I began receiving immense love and support from the people around me. I finally felt like I was back to being who I wanted to be. That same year I met an amazing guy who absolutely turned my life around. He was there for me every second through my healing, along with my family and friends. Without them, I wholeheartedly don’t think I would be here today. It wasn’t pretty, but I finally eradicated that toxicity from my life and learned to live again. 

Just before graduating from my dance company, I received a letter in the mail that changed my life.  The letter was from AMDA college of the performing arts in Los Angeles inviting me to audition. I never thought I would go to college, much less get into a dance program like AMDA after everything. I auditioned and got the call from AMDA congratulating me with my acceptance into their dance program. 

Although my past still affects me on a daily basis, I’ve learned to fight through my triggers. I truly feel as though everything that has happened has happened for a reason. My ultimate goal now is to spread awareness and help others get through or avoid similar situations I went through, along with striving for the best within myself. I am always working to better myself for me and the people around me. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a versatile dancer in LA, who has trained in a variety of styles like ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop, jazz-funk, contemporary, lyrical, heels, and more. My favorite styles are definitely jazz-funk, contemporary, and heels. I love to make people feel something when I dance. It fuels my soul. 

I also enjoy creating things even if no one sees it. Dance is a form of expression, and it is the way I communicate my emotions and experiences. So, creating things that are my own within dance is really important to me. 

I’m known for being a storyteller and an artist. I’m most proud of myself for never quitting, and always putting myself in uncomfortable situations. I’m also proud of keeping dance a safe space and not allowing myself to view dance in a way where it’s work. It’s what I’m most passionate about. 

My goals as a dancer are to dance for different artists on tour, in music videos, join a company, create concepts and visuals, eventually teach dance and maybe even open up my own studio. Dance will forever be my home and have my whole heart. 

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was always someone who loved to put smiles on people’s faces. My parents always tell me that I was funny, and made people’s days by being my “goofy self”. I’ve always been wild-spirited and spontaneous. I remember constantly being full of energy and wanting to do more. A girl who loved to create lasting memories with people, and solid relationships. Someone who has always cared so deeply for others that sometimes I ended up feeling a bit pushed aside. But it never stopped me from consistently being there for others. My friends and family know me for being the sensitive one who took everything to heart, which I still do, but just because I care too much sometimes. 

I was and still am a creative one. You could always catch me working on some sort of project. You name it, all kinds of art have been a part of my life since I was a little girl. I’ve also always been extremely active. I love doing all the things, from going on hikes, going to the beach, trying new sports, dancing, working out, and exploring with friends. 

People have always described me to be a bubbly spirit. Constantly bouncing off the walls, and messing around with those around me. I’ve always just loved to have fun. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://maddieraineofficial.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddierainee/?hl=en

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Credits
Michael Higgins
Jessica Alba
Axel Amundson