Today we’d like to introduce you to Millie Novak
Hi Millie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I began dancing at 3 years old at J&L Dance Center in New Jersey, training in ballet, flamenco, and tap before expanding into other styles. At 16, I signed with Clear Talent Group in NYC and started working professionally in the commercial industry. I earned a BA in Dance and Sociology from UC Santa Barbara, then moved to LA in 2022 to pursue my dance career. Since then, I’ve had incredible opportunities (Vogue, Michael Kors, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Gilded Age, Chobani) and continue chasing my dreams in LA!
This past November, I traveled to Amsterdam for an intensive with Malou Linders, a longtime inspiration of mine. Beyond offering top-tier training, Malou creates stunning movement visuals that deeply moved me.
Inspired by my experience, I began creating movement art myself. Fortunately, I have great synergy with my close friend Bella Lopez (@bellalikesbugs), a talented photographer and director. Together, we’ve teamed up to explore and develop our creative instincts through movement visuals, giving us each an avenue to strengthen our skill sets in our respective fields. For me, the project has allowed me to develop my confidence and style as a choreographer, movement director, and overall artist. We have a shared interest in creating compelling work that reflects the complexities of self-expression and artistic purpose in today’s digital age.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not! Success in this industry requires constantly putting yourself out there, which inevitably leads to a lot of rejection. You need to have thick skin, believe in yourself, and truly love what you do. On top of that, being a dancer is physically demanding, so injuries are common. I’ve dealt with back issues, shoulder surgery, tendonitis in multiple places, and more. There’s also the social aspect of networking, which can be difficult to navigate as well.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a commercial dancer, I aspire to work with artists, commercials, television, and film. I specialize in “heels”—a style that fuses my technical foundation with femininity and versatility. Beyond performing, I’m passionate about choreography, prioritizing play and experimentation to push creative boundaries. My love for EDM influences my work, as I channel the freedom and energy of live DJ sets into movement. As a cinephile, I approach dance with a cinematic lens, collaborating with my co-director, Bella Lopez, to bring visual storytelling to life. Dance has always been my emotional outlet, and my future movement visuals will reflect my personal experiences and mental health. By merging my extensive training with immersive, emotionally charged movement, I aim to craft work that feels both visceral and cinematic.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
While the thriving creative and entertainment scenes drew me here, they also come with challenges. The pressure to network and “make it” can sometimes feel overwhelming or lead to superficial connections. However, I am grateful to have made so many wonderful and genuine relationships since moving here. I’m also lucky to have many of my college friends here pursuing careers in law, medicine, grad school, and corporate fields, making LA a uniquely dynamic place where so many paths coexist.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milliexn/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@milliexn
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@milliexn
Image Credits
Bella Lopez, Mike Kobal
