I absolutely understood at age eight, I dealt with my home situation through escapism, so for me Janet’s voice, and anything that she did rescued me from the world I was thrust within. Her docile tones were like a caring older sister, always the right words at the right time. Though not ALL aspects of my family were terrible, the violent aspects left very specific effects on me. Though I grew to be very outgoing in school and activities (to the point you’d NEVER EVER suspect my home life to be what it was) I became very resigned with my family at home. Like I mentioned I learned to be and feel safe when I was alone, so I grew accustomed to that, it for a time suited me just fine.
As I got older and continued to follow her music I became fascinated by the dance aspect. I was enamoured with the way the performances were executed. I had decided after seeing the Rhythm Nation Short Film that I was going to be a dancer, so again at age eight, I made up my mind that’s my career, I want to do what they’re doing. I began slowly learning after school every dance step I could from that short film until one day I stood up and did what I knew. After that point, it became a part of my own personal dance training. Mind you, I didn’t have access to a dance studio or instruction so I was successfully self-taught. Each video, every performance through time I’d learn them and add them to the growing mental catalogue of Janet’s material. I loved the choreography, how it moved, how it made me feel powerful. I came to understand the dancing not only empowered me, it gave me an ongoing sense of hope…no matter what took place in my life. I had THAT as my aspiration, my hope. I had Janet to reach for.
As time progressed I put together routines of what I knew, and I’d showcase them at talent shows, or teach them to friends. That eventually grew into starting dance teams from elementary school well through adulthood. When I was 18 I was living in Washington State and while in my Junior Year of school the dance team I was choreographer for at the time, was holding annual auditions for the following year. A now lifelong friend came to the audition and really enjoyed the process. She enjoyed the process of it so much she’d asked me to consider meeting her boss.