Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Warr.
Hi Alexis, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started out as a gymnast when I was six. I did that for a couple of years and then one day, I was watching my sister’s school play and was in love with the dancing parts. I knew that I wanted to perform and dance my heart away. When I was nine, my mom got diagnosed with a brain tumor and I was taken out of dance because the surgery/hospital bills were very expensive and we just couldn’t afford dance. During this time, my dad still wanted to keep me occupied and busy so he put me in little league softball to live out his baseball dreams. I played pitcher and first base. I really did enjoy it, though. After my mom’s miraculous surgery and remission, my parents gave me the decision to stay in softball or go back to dance. I chose dance and got serious when I was about 11. I was training in Jazz, ballet, contemporary, and hip hop. I started ballroom when I was about 13/14, competing all over the U.S., England, and in Paris. During my high school years, I was a featured performer on two seasons of America’s Got Talent and the 2nd season of World Of Dance with my performing ballroom team. I have been dancing my heart out ever since. I graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA and in honors.
After graduating, I got picked up by Derek Hough and was a dancer for his Live Tour along with his “No Limit” Las Vegas residency as well as performing with him in the Macy’s 4th of July show in NY, Disney’s Queen singalong special, and performing in the Emmy winning Piece “Tango Of the Dead” on Dancing with the Stars. I also starred as a lead role in the first U.S. premiere of Strictly Ballroom the Musical. I was the female swing for the Dancing With The Stars season 30 live tour in 2022, then went on to join the Troupe for season 31 of DWTS and was a pro for their recent tour in 2023. Besides being a dancer, I am also a teacher and choreographer traveling over the nation. Recently I choreographed on the Golden State Warriors dance team. I’m most known for being the first female ballroom dancer to win the title “America’s Favorite Dancer” on season 17 of Fox Networks hit show, “So You Think You Can Dance” which was the most surreal experience and I’m still in shock to this day. I am looking forward to what the future holds and am excited for the next steps of my dancing journey.
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?
There are many challenges that I’ve had to face and walkthrough. One being my mom getting sick with a brain disease when I was 2 and in and out of remission with multiple rounds of chemotherapy and on home hospice. Although I have grown immensely from watching my mom fight for her life and still be by my side and support me and my dreams, I would say the biggest personal challenge, that forever changed me, would be when I experienced head trauma and severe bullying during my high school years. I had always gotten along with all my peers, teammates, and coaches. However, in 2016, my body was turning on me because I was pushing it too much and not taking care of myself mentally or physically. I also got a severe concussion. This concussion was severe because the doctors I worked with said that if I had hit just an inch above where the impact was, I could possibly be paralyzed or even dead. I was flabbergasted. I did not believe in the severity. During this time, I found out about the bullying that was going on behind my back. It hit me so hard and caused me to spiral down to my lowest point and not want to come back. I could barely even recognize myself. Eventually, I dug out of that hole with the help from my parents, my sister, my faith in my religion, and other dance instructors and mentors. I quit that part of dance next season in 2017 and just focused on competitive ballroom for the year. I travelled around the United States and across the pond to England for many ballroom competitions and used this time to “escape reality” into my love for ballroom.
During this year, whenever I would dance jazz or contemp, I would get the sickest feeling in my stomach and immediately tear up. It just hurt like nothing else. After a year of working on myself and taking care of myself mentally, I decided for my senior year that I didn’t want to end my time at the studio like that. I forgave those that were so mean and developed friendships with most of them. I wanted to finish what I started and I truly appreciated and was so grateful for the friendships, mentors and instructors that believed in me and provided a second home. I finally felt that I was enough and could come back even stronger through LOVE and a THANKFUL HEART. I’m super proud of my decision to do that because it helped me see what I want to do in life and with my dance career which has led me to overcome fear and chase my crazy dreams and achieve them. Dance is truly my outlet and passion in life. It made me stronger and made me realize that you can do anything. Your mind is very powerful and only you have control over how you act and feel. With everything going on in the world right now, the world more kindness and love. As dancers, we are stronger together and can really make a huge difference in the world. I also learned that if you are brave enough to chase your dreams, you can achieve them and I stand behind you.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Best known for winning the title “America’s Favorite Dancer” on Season 17 of Fox Networks hit show, “So You Think You Can Dance’, Alexis Warr is paving her way in the dance industry. Alexis prides herself on being a versatile performing artist with a notable work ethic. Aside from her formal technical training, her national and international Latin Ballroom experience has been her main focus. She was a featured performer on two seasons of America’s Got Talent and the 2nd season of World Of Dance. She had the privilege of being hired for Maks and Val’s “Stripped Down” tour as their partner and has performed in numerous industrial and corporate events worldwide She was a lead role in the U.S. premiere of Strictly Ballroom the Musical and performed with Derek Hough in his Live Tour and in his “No Limit” Las Vegas residency.
In addition, performed with Derek at the Macy’s 4th of July show in New York, Disney’s Queen singalong special, and made her first Dancing With The Stars debut performing in the Emmy-winning piece “Tango Of The Dead” on season 30. Alexis was the female swing on the Dancing With The Stars Live tour in 2022 and a troupe member on the show in season 31 which has been a dream come true! Aside from performing, Alexis has a passion for dance education and choreography. Recently she choreographed on the Golden State Warriors dance team and just wrapped up the Dancing With The Stars LIVE Tour as a pro. Alexis is looking forward to what the future of her career holds and is excited for the next steps of her dancing journey!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Favorite Podcast: “On Purpose” with Jay Shetty
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Favorite App: Insight Time, meditation has become a crucial resource in my life
Also, I love to crank up some really good music while I do things throughout my day.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexis_warr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexis.warr.1
- Youtube: UCIT8dqMGyR5S5W6Hheahk7A
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexis_warr
Image Credits
-xmbphotography -Michael Higgins -danceonfox Sytycd
