Today we’d like to introduce you to Lakesshia Pierre-Colon.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born & raise in a poor area of Montreal called “Montréal-nord”. At the time this neighborhood was very dangerous, a lot of drugs, prostitution and violence was happening. I couldn’t go outside for to long because there was always a fight where the cops would have to be involve…I always had a lot of energy, if it wasn’t sports, it was dance and if it wasn’t dance it was music. I use to watch BET & MTV and learn all the moves from artists like Micheal Jackson, Janet Jackson, Missy Elliot, Aaliyah, Ciara, Usher, Chris Brown, Omarion, Neyo, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears & more! These artists had a huge impact in my dance career and they made me realize how powerful dance is and how this art can heal and bring joy to the world. Dance saved my life in so many ways, i would use it as therapy to express sadness & to express my reality. If it wasn’t for my uncle I don’t think I would be here today, he taught me my first moves. I learned my first choreography with him and at the time he was dancing, singing and acting so I would constantly use him as inspiration. My mom is also someone who supported me since the beginning of all of this. She would be the one bringing me to my first ballet classes (to realize that this was not for me hehe) and than brought me to my first hip-hop class (and then it was love at first sight)! I always knew at a young age that I was gonna be a dancer, I wanted to be on stage , I knew I was gonna dance in the biggest stages of my life. I knew that the only place that would allow me to do so was here in AMERICA where your wildest & biggest dreams come true.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The hardest struggle I had to deal with is when I officially decided that I was gonna move to Los Angeles and pursue my dreams! I knew that this city had a lot to offer and since I was a kid I’ve always dreamed of dancing in the biggest stages of the United States. I’m Haïtian and Canadian so the only way for me to come to America is to get an artist VISA and let me tell you that trying to get this VISA is one of the most difficult thing an immigrant artist would have to go through. The amount of faith, strength, patience and money it takes is just unbelievable! I’m happy I was able to do it, I’m so proud of myself , it made me so much stronger as a person and as a dancer because i know how much I worked my a** off to get there. It was also hard because when you’re not from here it’s not easy to make strong connexions at first because people assume that your only here for a short amount of time and it becomes difficult to ask for help or to find an agency that will represent you. The minimum price for an artist VISA was 5000 K at the time and now the price went up to 7000 K and that’s only for a regular processing and if you want the best lawyers in town. Luckily I had a good circle willing to help and willing to follow me through this crazy journey i will always be so thankful for them. Another struggle that comes with that is having to find a circle that fits you. Finding your circle is something very important because yes talent matters but who know matters as much. I’m so happy & grateful that I was able to find my people simply by being myself, genuine, being real & being the light that I am.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am known to be FULLOUT!!! At such a young age people use to say ; OMGGG Lakesshia you’re so FULLOUT! It always made me laugh because for me it’s obvious, dance is suppose to be fullout because THAT’S THE REAL ESSSENCE OF DANCE itself. So I kept the name and brought it everywhere i go. Every time I enter a room I bring energy, i bring motivation, I’m hyping people up because that’s just who I am, I love spreading love, support & respect. Back in Canada I’ve done TV shows like America’s Best Dance Crew, Revolution & The Voice and I’ve travelled and won dance battles in Japan, Paris, Amsterdam, London, Spain & so many more! Being able to travel the world because of dance is something that I will always be grateful for, i feel so bless to be able to do what i love. Since I moved to LA , I was able to work with mainstream artists like Will Smith, Black Eyed Pease, Daddy Yankee, Janelle Monae, Paula Abdul, Timbaland, Don TOliver, NLE Choppa, Natalie La Rose, Purple Disco Machine, Mr.Thank you and more! I was also featured on a few TV shows like Rapsh!t by Issa Rae, Abbott Elementary by Quinta Brunson, The Mask Singer & more… Being around excellence really makes the difference ; it makes you work harder, it makes you feel worthy and it makes you feel even more alive because these artists really take their craft seriously so you have no other choice but to step your game up & SLAYYY!!! 🔥🔥🔥 And I know that this is only the beginning, GOD have more blessings for me, i know it, without is faith trough him i definitely would not be where I am today. I’m so hungry for more and I can’t wait to see what the future as to offer. I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I mean… I work in the entertainment industry so this industry will never die but if we’re talking about dancing I feel like social media changed a lot of things. Back in the days to recruit dancers the only place that we had was in the clubs, in the cyphers, where people would dance together, where natural & genuine fun was made. Now with social media it’s different, a lot of dancers get booked from their social media, from their pictures & their dance challenges. I’m not saying that it’s a bad thing but it’s just different in a way where you don’t get to feel their vybe until you meet them in person and sometimes it could be awkward. One thing that I’ve learn about this industry is that it’s ALWAYS changing and if you wanna be able to keep up and be up to date and fast you gotta ADJUST, learn & go! So that’s why I’m showing my personality a bit more and building my resume with various dance videos from the many styles that i’ve learned like Hip-hop, Heels, House, Waacking, Popping, Jazz Funk, Reggaeton, Partnering etc. I love learning different cultures & styles because the more you know the better you dance. I hope that people will realize that dance is social experience in real life and not only a social media. In 5 years I will have my own Creative company, I’m a multidisciplinary artist so I love to do many things. I love directing, i love choreographing, I love to cast and I love the creative process of things so I will most definitely create my company around all these things. One thing for sure is that I know that i will always find my way anyway!
Pricing:
- None
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakesshiakiki/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lakesshakiki.pierre
- Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@lakesshiakiki
Image Credits
Haitian Flag Picture : Johnny Axenov
