Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Lanum.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story began in Crescent City, a small coastal town that shaped who I am. Growing up there gave me a strong sense of community, hard work, and heart—values that have carried me all the way to Hollywood. In 2020, the year I graduated, I started dancing at a local studio. It quickly became my second home, and the place where I truly discovered my passion for dance.
That studio opened doors I never expected. They brought me to a dance competition where I gave it my all—and ended up winning a scholarship to AMDA College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. That moment changed everything. It was my ticket out of a small town and into the heart of the dance world.
Now, I’m living in Hollywood as a dance major at AMDA, doing what I love every single day. I dance with everything I have, because I know where I came from—and how far I’ve come. Crescent City and that dance studio gave me the roots, and now I’m growing in the city of dreams.
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?
Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. Coming from a small town like Crescent City, the path to Hollywood felt like a dream that was always just a little out of reach. There weren’t many big stages or major opportunities where I grew up, but what I did have was heart, determination, and a community that believed in me.
When I started dancing in 2020—right in the middle of the pandemic—it wasn’t just about learning steps. It became an outlet, a lifeline, and a way to express everything I was feeling. My studio believed in me and pushed me to compete, even when I doubted myself. That dance competition, and the scholarship I won, felt like a miracle—but it also meant leaving home, starting over in a huge city, and figuring things out on my own.
Moving to L.A. was a huge leap. It was exciting, but also overwhelming. I had to work harder than ever to keep up with the talent around me and stay grounded in who I am. There were moments of fear, homesickness, and self-doubt—but dancing has always brought me back to myself.
Now, I wake up every day as a dance major at AMDA, living in the heart of Hollywood. It’s not always easy, but every challenge has made me stronger. My roots in Crescent City and the support from my dance studio gave me the courage to chase this dream—and I carry that with me in every step I take.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Dance is my passion, but it’s also my purpose. Right now, I’m a dance major at AMDA in Hollywood, training every day to become a professional dancer—but my dreams go far beyond that. I want to be a part of the entertainment industry as a whole, whether that means dancing, choreographing, performing, or even working behind the scenes. I want to be involved in telling stories that move people.
My journey into dance didn’t begin with professional training or fancy studios—it started with heart. When I was 18, right after graduating in 2020, I started working as a dance teacher. That experience opened so many doors for me. I got to teach, connect with young dancers, and grow not just as a performer but as a leader. One of the biggest turning points was when my dance teacher, Megan, invited me to dance with her team—even though I was older than most of the students. She saw something in me, and that belief gave me the confidence to step into the world of competitive dance.
That opportunity led to my first dance competition, where I earned a scholarship to AMDA. Now I’m here in Hollywood, surrounded by creativity and inspiration, dancing my heart out and working hard to take my craft to the next level.
What sets me apart is that I didn’t just come into this as a student—I came in as a teacher, a mentor, and someone who understands what it means to lead and to serve through movement. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but even more excited about where I’m going.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
If I had to choose one quality that’s been most important to my success, it would be resilience. No matter what challenges I’ve faced—whether it was self-doubt, starting later than others, or moving away from everything I knew—I kept showing up. I kept pushing forward. That mindset has carried me from Crescent City to Hollywood, and it will keep pushing me toward everything I still want to achieve.
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