Note: I think some people thought I was gonna interview a contestant from SYTYCD. Although Megan didn't make the cut to be one, I still believe she's as great as being a part of the show because of her stellar performance. :) Read and be inspired.
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Danah: Hi Megan! I watched you online and have been a fan ever since. I think everyone who watched your audition piece was moved, and was blown away by your grace. It was so beautiful. YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for doing this interview. I’m sure our readers will LOVE this.
Megan: Hey Danah. Thank you so much for all of this, it's such an amazing opportunity.
D: When did you start dancing?
D: How did you know it’s a passion of yours?
D: What specific genre/s do you like dancing? Why?
M: My favorite style to dance is contemporary mainly because I'm a very emotional person and I love to express my feelings. Contemporary lets you share your emotions and feelings with the people watching you and really helps them connect to you.
D: Did you enroll in a dance academy/school?
M: I was trained at The Dance Academy of Loudoun in my hometown for 16 years then when I graduated high school I enrolled in college and majored in dance and now I teach and choreograph at the studio I was trained at.
D: Have you always been plump?
M: When I was younger I was what we call "skinny" but always had really muscular thighs; as I got older I just became thicker.
D: What’s the worst experience you’ve had in terms of your body type regarding dancing, and how did you rise above the occasion?
M: I can honestly say I have never had a bad experience in dance concerning my body type, it usually helps me stand out and really surprise people.
D: Are there days you feel discouraged to pursue dancing because of your body? If yes, how do you deal with it?
M: Yes, there are days where I am discouraged to pursue dancing because of my body type, mainly because in the world of dance if you are not what we call "skinny", you won't have a great chance of getting any work. But I pull through those hard times by telling myself that even though I'm not small I AM making a name for myself and showing people all around the world that body weight has NOTHING to do with how well you can dance.
D: What’s the best/most memorable moment you’ve had with dancing?
M: The most amazing moment I remember about dancing was the first time I came offstage at a competition and saw my mother crying because she was so moved from my performance, not to mention she was sooo proud and amazed by [my] dancing, and it made me realize that I must be doing something right.
D: W hat is your take on the stereotypes put upon dancers (must be thin, lean, big dancers aren’t as great)?
M: I think that there shouldn't be a stereotype on dancers. If you can dance then you can dance. Someone once told me that I was an amazing dancer, not an amazing thick dancer, which they later explained to me they meant I was amazing compared to the smaller dancers. That comment really changed how I looked at my dancing.
D: How does it feel like to wow the audience and break all the stereotypes when you auditioned for SYTYCD?
M: It was AWESOME to wow the audience, I really wasn't expecting to be loved as much as I was, I just went on stage and gave it all I had and let God do the rest of it.
D: Has life been different since your shining moment on TV?
M: Actually, life has been very different since the show, it's weird because I don't see myself as a famous or well-known person but I've been stopped on the streets of New York by people asking to take pictures. I've been noticed in major studios, I've been featured in showcases, performances, etc., and I have gotten many jobs because of the show. I wasn't used to any of that before.
D: Your mom was crying during your audition. Has she always supported your dream or was there ever a time she asked you to lose weight (our readers email us regarding their parents putting them down ‘cos of their weight)
M: My mom has always supported my dream, she travels with me anywhere and everywhere. She has never put me down about my weight but has talked to me about it just because she was concerned about my health. But from the doctor's mouth, he said I have great health, just a different body type than others.
D: Any future projects? What keeps you busy nowadays?
M: I do have a few projects coming up -- dancing and teaching around the US. Mainly my students and dancing gigs keep me busy, which I love every minute of!
D: What is your advice to women who are afraid to try dancing because they’re on the heavier side?
M: My advice to others is that do not feel discouraged to dance. We dance because we love it! As long as you love to dance and it shows, what others say shouldn't get to you.
Danah: Hi Megan! I watched you online and have been a fan ever since. I think everyone who watched your audition piece was moved, and was blown away by your grace. It was so beautiful. YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for doing this interview. I’m sure our readers will LOVE this.
Megan: Hey Danah. Thank you so much for all of this, it's such an amazing opportunity.
D: When did you start dancing?
M: I started dancing when I was 4 years old, I began with only ballet.
D: How did you know it’s a passion of yours?
M: I knew it was my passion as soon as i started because it felt so right. I knew that dance is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
D: What specific genre/s do you like dancing? Why?
M: My favorite style to dance is contemporary mainly because I'm a very emotional person and I love to express my feelings. Contemporary lets you share your emotions and feelings with the people watching you and really helps them connect to you.
D: Did you enroll in a dance academy/school?
M: I was trained at The Dance Academy of Loudoun in my hometown for 16 years then when I graduated high school I enrolled in college and majored in dance and now I teach and choreograph at the studio I was trained at.
D: Have you always been plump?
M: When I was younger I was what we call "skinny" but always had really muscular thighs; as I got older I just became thicker.
D: What’s the worst experience you’ve had in terms of your body type regarding dancing, and how did you rise above the occasion?
M: I can honestly say I have never had a bad experience in dance concerning my body type, it usually helps me stand out and really surprise people.
D: Are there days you feel discouraged to pursue dancing because of your body? If yes, how do you deal with it?
M: Yes, there are days where I am discouraged to pursue dancing because of my body type, mainly because in the world of dance if you are not what we call "skinny", you won't have a great chance of getting any work. But I pull through those hard times by telling myself that even though I'm not small I AM making a name for myself and showing people all around the world that body weight has NOTHING to do with how well you can dance.
D: What’s the best/most memorable moment you’ve had with dancing?
M: The most amazing moment I remember about dancing was the first time I came offstage at a competition and saw my mother crying because she was so moved from my performance, not to mention she was sooo proud and amazed by [my] dancing, and it made me realize that I must be doing something right.
D: W hat is your take on the stereotypes put upon dancers (must be thin, lean, big dancers aren’t as great)?
M: I think that there shouldn't be a stereotype on dancers. If you can dance then you can dance. Someone once told me that I was an amazing dancer, not an amazing thick dancer, which they later explained to me they meant I was amazing compared to the smaller dancers. That comment really changed how I looked at my dancing.
D: How does it feel like to wow the audience and break all the stereotypes when you auditioned for SYTYCD?
M: It was AWESOME to wow the audience, I really wasn't expecting to be loved as much as I was, I just went on stage and gave it all I had and let God do the rest of it.
D: Has life been different since your shining moment on TV?
M: Actually, life has been very different since the show, it's weird because I don't see myself as a famous or well-known person but I've been stopped on the streets of New York by people asking to take pictures. I've been noticed in major studios, I've been featured in showcases, performances, etc., and I have gotten many jobs because of the show. I wasn't used to any of that before.
D: Your mom was crying during your audition. Has she always supported your dream or was there ever a time she asked you to lose weight (our readers email us regarding their parents putting them down ‘cos of their weight)
M: My mom has always supported my dream, she travels with me anywhere and everywhere. She has never put me down about my weight but has talked to me about it just because she was concerned about my health. But from the doctor's mouth, he said I have great health, just a different body type than others.
D: Any future projects? What keeps you busy nowadays?
M: I do have a few projects coming up -- dancing and teaching around the US. Mainly my students and dancing gigs keep me busy, which I love every minute of!
D: What is your advice to women who are afraid to try dancing because they’re on the heavier side?
M: My advice to others is that do not feel discouraged to dance. We dance because we love it! As long as you love to dance and it shows, what others say shouldn't get to you.
Megan has performed in numerous dance shows such as A dream Called Happiness in New York City, Phases of Love in Atlanta, Georgia and the Hip Hop Festival in College Park, Maryland. She is currently an assistance teacher at The Pulse Dance School and New York City Dance Alliance both in NYC.
*****
*****
Megan is such a refreshing girl! We chatted for an hour after doing the interview, talking about dance and getting to know each other more. She even watched my pole dance recital video and asked if I could teach her (TALK ABOUT HONOR!!!)!!! She's really sweet and very sincere. It's a great privilege to have her on the blog. Seriously. ♥
I hope this interview moves plumpies to love themselves more, decide to do something grand with their bodies and pursue their dreams no matter what size or shape they are, just as it has inspired & moved Stacy and me. :)
Plump love,
Danah
I hope this interview moves plumpies to love themselves more, decide to do something grand with their bodies and pursue their dreams no matter what size or shape they are, just as it has inspired & moved Stacy and me. :)
Plump love,
Danah