Today we’d like to introduce you to Alekz Samone.
Hi Alekz, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Grew up in a small city in North Louisiana called Shreveport. Graduated school and wanted to do something “spontaneous” so decided to move to Texas and pursue film acting. Tried to go to college and got dropped by agency and found dance. Danced in community teams and “World of Dance”; put my life and others around me in so much agony JUST CUZ I wanted to dance. Found out you could get paid for it — so I made it a dream and moved to LA 5 years ago… And after struggles, trials, and tribulations, now I’m living here in Los Angeles and have been only dancing to pay the bills for almost three years now. Happily.
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?
Smooth road definitely doesn’t seem to want to exist for Alekz Samone, lol. There’s definitely been a bit of adversity. Whether it’s been losing jobs because of how much I was trying to do within a week—to living with roommates whose parents paid and assisted bills whereas I had to work for every payment and come home being tired but still wanting to put myself out there in class. I’ve put myself through so much mental and emotional pain where it would damage what my family thought best for me, my friends—shoot, even the universe probably. I moved here with my best friend. Had to get a job and worked 40 hours a week, joined a training program, and tried to catch and sometimes “sneak” into classes just to at least try and get my face out there. With that came, seeing my roommates being free to take class as they please but also rest and be a bit more privileged than I and coming home to that—weighed really heavy. Always deciding on auditioning or going to work; calling in sick or just keep missing opportunities. Just overall not feeling that I could do enough in any aspect from work to friends to play could work out for me. Family issues, financial problems, self-hate, depression, limited freedom, failures were all struggles before I even came to LA but that’s a different story for different question maybe. Lol.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am now a dancer and choreographer in Los Angeles, California. I love to hit a step—whether on stage or for class but also love to create some movement together for songs and artists. To answer two questions— I’m known for my personality, expression, and just my naturally-seen love for dance. People say when I move they can feel, see, and understand what I wanted to them to clearly and I love that because it def separates me from other males in the industry! I’m most proud of my recent work as choreographer for Chloe x Halle as far as accomplishments go but honestly—I’m actually most proud that I’m here and honestly loving how far I’ve reached and how I finally feel about my love for myself AND my dancing!
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned during this is being human first and dancer second. Before this crisis.. we were on day to day action mode and we took for granted the life that we could live as humans. Not as a dancer, artist, workaholic—we were disassociated with the biggest thing that pushes a person to thrive…A love for the things that actually matter. As many of my friends have felt the same, we used to wake up and say… “I’m a dancer, how am I navigating that today…” “Take a dance class or two; okay but if I can’t take class today, am I working; or if I don’t go is this a deserved rest day; oh shoot, I may be missing an opportunity…” it seemed like everything counted on the next 24 hours and if we weren’t working towards this reachable goal sooner than later… we were less. Whereas I’ve realized and learned so much about myself and what matters and… what doesn’t. Because at the end of the day… I still have to go to sleep alone to wake up alone with my thoughts and thoughts of accomplishments when under a pandemic! This Covid crisis has had some really low lows but alotta highs as well, whether that’s big jobs or just much needed attention to growth and maturity—mentally, physically, and emotionally. Very important to me.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Instagram.com/alekzsamone
- Twitter: twitter.com/alekzsamone
- Youtube: YouTube.com/AtotheKZ
