Words by Carol Wright |Photographs courtesy of Kay Williams PR
We got to chat with Makai about working with Kanec Carr, being on television, and her dance career.
When did dance go from a hobby to a passion?
Dance has always been something I’ve enjoyed doing, but it became more of a passion around the age 11 when I went to a Janet Jackson concert (The Unbreakable tour). I saw other dancers my age dancing with this ICON and touring the world with her…I was in awe! It was like a light bulb with off! I remember thinking, you mean I can actually dance and make a career out of it and NOT wait until I become an adult to do it?! That’s when I begged my mom to put me in dance classes and the rest is history.
How long did it take to learn the choreography for your “Clout” concept video?
It took about 2 days, then Kanec and I rehearsed it a few more times to perfect it.
What did you learn from working with Kanec Carr?
I learned a lot from Kanec such as musicality, timing, and cleanliness. One thing I never focused on prior to working with him, was the importance of capturing pictures through my movements. Being more aware of my lines and making sure they are so clean to the point, where a photo could be taken while I was dancing, that would appear as if I was doing a dance pose.
What was it like to be on Keep It Spotless? Do you hope to do more television work in the future?
It was super fun and a bit messy…LOL. My friend and I won the gauntlet, which came along with a cash prize, so that was cool! Regarding more television in the future, I’m currently taking acting classes and have actually had a few auditions recently for some of my favorite TV shows and a couple of pilots. That motivates me to keep going and never give up.
Do you hope to become a choreographer one day?
I would love to become a choreographer! It’s actually a goal on my vision board to teach dance classes and one day choreograph for film, television and even award shows.
What advice do you have for aspiring dancers?
Hone in on your craft by continuing to train, focus, and always believe in yourself. Also, remember to trust the process, and never get discouraged by hearing the word no…let the “no’s” fuel you.