Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanie Blais.
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 started dancing when I was 4 years old because my parents thought I’d like it. They were right!! I loved it so much I never stopped and made it a career. I grew up in Montreal, Canada and growing up, I always felt like my career would not take off in Montreal. When I came to LA it felt like home. The weather, the dance classes, the incredible dancers from all around the world and the easy access to the beach, I just knew this was it. I went through the working visa process and with lots of tears and sweat, made it all happen. I moved here and life immediately confirmed me I belonged here. I booked my first music video with an A list artist after 1 month. Actually crazy! This was only the beginning of my success.
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?
There is always struggles and road blocks whenever you wanna reach the top of your industry. The smooth part that hold me down through the hard moments was my parents support. They pushed me and believed in me since I put my feet in a dance studio. The biggest struggle in this industry is getting a bunch of Nos and rejections. You learn how to deal with it along the way but it will never feel good. For immigrants, the stressful and hardest part is paperwork to be able to stay in the US. You build a whole life here and every 3 years you might get refused a visa and loose everything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional dancer. I dance with artists on tours, shows, movies and music videos. My biggest goal moving here was to tour with artists and in the last 2 years i was able to accomplish the biggest milestone of my career. I toured with KarolG and worked on Wicked the movie. I still can’t believe i was able to reach the top of my goals list. In my time here I got to work with the biggest in the industry: Shania Twain, Olivia Rodrigo, Bebe Rexha, Camila Cabello, Tinashe and more. I think what sets me apart is my hunger for work. I am an immigrant who moved here to make it happen and you can feel it. I also think I always move with genuine intention and love which makes people love to be around me and work with me.
How do you think about happiness?
Food, friends and coffee is what makes me happy everyday. Those things makes me forget all problems and makes me disconnect from the industry for a moment.
It is my safe, recharging space.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Shanie_blais
Image Credits
@chriscornejo_
@felipeorvi
@jailli
Henry Hwu
