Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimena Bustamante.
Hi Jimena, 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?
IEver since I was 11 years old, I knew I wanted to be a professional dancer. For me, dance was never a hobby or a sport — it was always a dream I was determined to pursue, even when others didn’t fully understand it.
I started dancing in a small academy near my home in Mexico City, where the only styles offered were ballet and tap. For five years, that was my world — but outside the studio, I was endlessly inspired by dancers like Autumn Miller and Matt Steffanina. I would spend hours learning hip hop from YouTube tutorials and watching contemporary routines from the LA dance scene, imagining myself there someday.
In high school, I earned a scholarship to join the dance company at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico City. That opportunity changed everything. It was there that I discovered jazz and contemporary dance, and I completely fell in love with the stage. I started competing, growing, and realizing that I didn’t just want to dance — I needed to make it my life.
After graduation, I knew I wanted to pursue dance professionally, especially outside of Mexico, but I didn’t have a clear path. I auditioned for the CLI Conservatory in Massachusetts — a program I admired deeply, especially because one of my favorite Mexican dancers had trained there. I got accepted and even had a conversation with him and my parents about the program, but unfortunately, my dad decided he wouldn’t support it financially until I completed a “real degree.” At the time, I couldn’t afford it on my own, so I had to pivot and find another way.
That’s when I started working. I reached out to Reves, a dancer’s agency in Mexico City, and asked them to represent me. After reviewing my dance reels and photos, they brought me on board and started sending me castings. I landed a few commercial jobs, and one day, while scrolling through Instagram, I found an audition for a YouTuber’s live show that was casting dancers and acrobats. I went for it, booked it, and toured across Mexico — my first real stage job.
That experience lit a fire in me. I realized performing live was my true passion. From there, I began training more seriously for commercial dance, focusing on the skills that would get me closer to my dream jobs.
A year later, I saw an audition for Danna, a singer I had always dreamed of dancing for — especially because Emiliano, the dancer I mentioned earlier, had worked with her. I went to the audition and got in. To my surprise, Emiliano ended up being both choreographer and dancer for the tour. We performed all over Latin America and had a date in the US. That tour was a turning point for me, and shortly after, I booked another dream job.
I saw an audition for Nicky Jam in Miami. I bought a round-trip flight with just enough time to audition and return to Mexico. The day I landed back home, I got an email saying I’d been selected, and rehearsals started that same week. I packed my bags and flew back to Miami. Now I’m touring with Nicky Jam across Latin America, Europe, and the US.
This experience opened even more doors — I’ve connected with dancers based in Los Angeles and I’m currently working on my O-1 visa to move there and officially start my career in the city I always dreamed of. LA is the heart of the dance industry, and I can feel how close I am to the future I’ve always envisioned.
Looking back, I’m filled with gratitude and pride. At 21, I’ve already done three tours, appeared in a Disney+ documentary with Danna, performed in Disney Pixar’s “Coco: Un Festival Para Recordar,” danced in music videos for Danna, Humbe, and Zara Larsson, and worked on commercials for CNN+, Uber, and Bimbo México. I’ve also performed live for brands like Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, and Old Navy.
Sometimes I think about 19-year-old Jimena — unsure of how to start, but so full of heart. I wish I could tell her how far she’d come and how close she is to everything she ever dreamed of.
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?
One of the biggest challenges came from home. My dad wasn’t happy at all when he realized I was seriously pursuing a career in dance. In Mexico, being a dancer can often mean underpaid jobs and financial instability, and that terrified him. My first paid job as a dancer didn’t offer much money at all, and I could see his fear — he just wanted me to have a secure future.
Eventually, we found a middle ground. I agreed to study a degree in marketing while continuing to build my dance career. It’s actually turned out to be something I’m really grateful for, because I know it’ll help me manage my own brand and projects in the future. Still, juggling both school and a professional dance career — especially while touring — hasn’t been easy. It’s taken a lot of discipline and sacrifice.
Another big challenge has been the legal and logistical side of wanting to work outside of Mexico. As a Mexican dancer trying to build a career in the U.S., applying for the O-1 visa is a long, intense process. You have to prove your work, your value, and gather so many documents and support letters. It’s been overwhelming at times, but I’m committed to it because I know LA is where I need to be.
Every step has come with its own set of obstacles — but I also believe every challenge has shaped me into the dancer and person I am today.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a professional dancer, actress, model, and acrobat. I’ve trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, jazz funk, and ballroom — and I love being able to move between different styles. Versatility is something I really value and work hard at. I believe that being able to adapt to different jobs and choreographers is one of the things that makes me stand out.
In just a few years of actively pursuing my career, I’ve had the chance to be part of some incredible projects — from touring with artists like Danna and Nicky Jam, to dancing in music videos, commercials, and even a Disney+ documentary. I’m especially proud of how much I’ve been able to accomplish in such a short time, and all while still working on my degree.
I take a lot of pride in being a professional, both on and off stage. I’m constantly pushing myself to grow, learn new skills, and explore new styles — not just to be more bookable, but because I genuinely love the process of becoming a better dancer and artist. I also really enjoy choreographing. There’s something powerful about telling stories through movement and creating from your own voice.
What sets me apart is my passion, my work ethic, and my drive to keep evolving. I know this career requires resilience, and I’m here for it — I’m fully in.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that often surprises people is that I’m actually studying for a degree in marketing. Building a dance career, especially in Mexico City, usually takes so much time and dedication that many dancers choose to leave school to focus on it completely. That’s why people are often shocked when they find out I’ve managed to work professionally — even outside of the country — while still going to college.
Balancing both has definitely been a challenge, especially while touring or filming, but I’ve made it work. And honestly, it’s been empowering to grow both as an artist and as a professional in another field. My friends like to joke that I’m living a “Hannah Montana” kind of life — switching between being a student and performing on big stages. It’s not always easy, but it’s 100% worth it.
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