Dance Dad With John Corella

EP 06: Why the Podcast with John Corella

“It just kind of happened,” says John Corella about creating the Dance Dad podcast, “Like anything I’ve created that I love, I thought, ‘This will be fun’.” Today, John turns the tables and lets guest host Eva from On the Spot Interviews ask the questions about his plans for the show and his mission–or, as he poses it to all of his guests–his ‘why.’ He talks about creating a safe space of healing for the LGBTQ community where they can share their stories from inside of the dance world, a place for meaningful conversations where everyone can be authentic–maybe even a little bit messy.
 
As he always does, John arrived here by following his spirit, his faith in God and his love of Jesus, all of which help him to navigate what can be a challenging landscape, one where everyone can make their voices heard–including some nasty people in the comments section. He grappled with self-doubt while in the early stages of getting the podcast off the ground, but a very synchronistic sign from the universe let him know he was right to take the leap.
 
John has the unique ability to draw out authentic moments from guests that even superfans of Dance Moms and the dance world would be surprised by. John reveals the superstar whom he performed with on a famous talent show - and whom he’d love to have on the show to talk to! Which celebrity friendship of John did Eva discover that made her fall off her chair, and who is John’s number one dream celebrity guest (hint: it’s not a dancer).
 
John is not a dancer either, as he explains on this episode, one of many misconceptions about the dance world that he aims to dispel on future episodes of Dance Dad. After all, this podcast belongs to the listeners–and those who dare to be bold. 
 
Quotes
“I really want this podcast to be authentic–some people say messy—but authentic. That happens in our lives, even though we act like ‘Oh, yeah, I look like this and I walk into school’ or ‘I look like this, and I go into work,’ we all have little hiccups and messes before we step onto the mic.” (4:26 | John)
“I follow my spirit, my holy spirit, and it just kind of happened. It’s similar to ‘Dance Moms’ or anything similar that I’ve created that I love. I can’t even give you a step-by-step. I just thought of it and then thought, ‘Oh, that’ll be fun.” (7:49 | John) 
“That’s another thing, with just starting with this, in the past month of it being public, I wasn’t used to how mean people can be. I forgot about that. I got a lot of nice things, but then I wasn’t used to people being mean and saying hurtful things. But again, that’s been healing for me. I’ve taken it as an opportunity to focus on my ‘why’.” (17:26 | John) 
“We all have a little bit of Dance Mom/Dance Dad in us, an ego at times. So, it’s not like I’m expecting people to walk on water here, it’s not that at all. It was just kind of funny, my ego came up, big time, when they told me how well I was doing.” (20:44 | John)
“What got me there was just being present, focusing on having these great conversations with people I love. It reminds me of ‘The Kingdom of Heaven.’ Don’t worry about tomorrow, focus on the Kingdom of Heaven and everything else will be added unto you.’ And if it’s not, it’s OK, you’re already in Heaven, meaning feeling good.” (21:33 | John) 
Links
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 05: Share the Light Sparkle Brighter with Frank Gatson

“I just met the second coming of Michael Jackson,” says Frank Gatson, famed choreographer and Dance Dad to the stars, of meeting Beyonce for the first time in 1997 when she was just 15 years old. And Frank would know—his first major job was working with MJ on the 30-day shoot for Jackson’s iconic “Smooth Criminal” video. Since then, he’s worked with acts such as En Vogue, Usher, Toni Braxton, Brandy, Tyrese, Rihanna, not to mention a young John Corella. For his work, he remains the most nominated choreographer in the history of MTV.
 
He began his career dancing in the long-running “Up With People” tour, staying with local families in each country in which they performed. Navigating language and cultural barriers helped him to hone his people skills as well as a keen intuition which has allowed him to share—and elevate—his artists’ visions on an almost psychic level. 
 
With each performance, Frank insists, dancers are making history. After all, dancing and music can bring people together like nothing else. This requires that he be unabashedly honest with his artists, even when no one else will be. That honesty has gotten him in trouble, but superstars with the same drive and ambition know he just wants to get it right. And when it’s right, he says, it’s magical.
 
With the same honesty, he critiques the current state of dance, what this generation is lacking and what needs to change. He reflects on his memories of a segregated American South, racism and homophobia in the dance industry. 
 
With a long and illustrious career, which shows no sign of slowing down any time soon, Frank’s passion for and fascination with dance remains as fierce as ever. He has big plans—hear the musical he wants to resurrect, what American dancers can learn from K-Pop groups, and the five current pop stars he would like to form into a supergroup. When we share our light, he says, we sparkle brighter. 
 
Quotes
“Some people might think my gift is to dance or to do what I’ve done all my life, but I think my gift is to see.” (5:52 | Frank Gatson)
“I think musicians, dancers and singers can change the world. It’s the one thing that all people love.” (10:10 | Frank Gatson) 
“You can feel racism, you can feel it when you walk into a room. Especially with my keen people skills. Sometimes, I’ll go to a hotel and the elevator door will open. If I see a woman grab her purse, I don’t get on the elevator. I don’t want to give her that.” (22:20 | Frank Gatson) 
“It was like the little girl came out. Just imagine, I met Beyonce in ‘97. She was 15 years old, and when she shot up from the air in the Soldier’s Field stadium, and said, ‘Is that Frank?!’ I could immediately hear her like a little girl, and I looked up, and I started cheesing like a little clown. I was just so impressed that she saw me in the midst of all those people down there.” (26:21 | Frank Gatson)
“Beyonce has told me, ‘Frank, your passion is going to get you in trouble.’ And it does. A lot of people don’t hire me because they think I’m trouble. I’m not trouble, I know I’m not trouble. I just want the greatest. I want history to be made. They just don’t get me. Everybody who’s worked with me gets me. If they’ve heard about me, they don’t get me.” (27:26 | Frank Gatson) 
“I have a saying: ‘Share the light; sparkle brighter.” (41:55 | Frank Gatson)
“Life is too special to let someone else predict what you need to say. You need to be gracious, you need to be nice, but be honest about this thing called ‘show business.’ That’s why there’s so much mediocrity? What has blown your mind lately about show business? Think about it like that. It’s because people are not really in it like they should be in it. They’re sugar coating it.” (48:48 | Frank Gatson)
“The reason that I was asked to work with Destiny’s Child was because they saw my work with En Vogue. And Beyonce, I equipped her with all four En Vogue girls. The classiness of Terry Ellis, the pageantry of Cindy Herron, the soulfulness and spicy part of Dawn Robinson, the soulful, soulful, driven Maxine Jones. Beyonce’s all four of those girls in one.” (52:35 | Frank Gatson) 
“I was in an agent’s office and I saw Paula Abdul’s number on the desk and I memorized it. I went home and called Paula and said, ‘I’m coming to your audition today, my name is Frank Gatson.’ She was pretty mad, but she hired me.” (1:10:53 | Frank Gatson) 
Links
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 04: Renaissance with Darius Hickman

“You’ve been training your whole life for this moment, don’t doubt yourself now that the moment is here,” Darius Hickman told himself while he was dancing in front of 95,000 people as part of Beyonce’s spectacular ‘Renaissance’ tour. Being in the moment, staying present, has not only allowed Darius to keep his cool under pressure, but it has also allowed him to be his most authentic self, one that is a balance of masculine and feminine. Drawing freely from both of these elements has made him a better dancer, particularly on the Renaissance tour which–a rarity–encouraged him to dance and present in both modes. He feels it also has made him a better person, one whom other young men who may be afraid to embrace their feminine side, can look up to. 
 
For Darius, dance provided a focus, an escape from a tough upbringing and a chance to ground himself in discipline. Inspired after seeing a live hip hop performance, Darius soon gained entry into performing arts high school, despite a lack of early training. There, in an eclectic environment that celebrated diversity and individualism, he found the support he needed to be himself. Later he studied dance at a university on a full scholarship, which he sacrificed to audition for the live competition show “So You Think You Can Dance?” where he first caught the attention of audiences. 
 
At 25, Darius is wise–as well as confident and poised–beyond his years. He knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that dance is what he meant to do, yet is still driven by wanting to know everything about it and to continually evolve. He recognizes that the dance world remains a work in progress, too, and that while progress has been made toward encouraging male dancers to perform in a more feminine style, there is still a lot of work to be done. 
 
Being yourself is the hardest thing a person can do, he admits, but we’re all multifaceted people, and should be able to freely express all parts of ourselves. When we all find what makes us great, we can work together to create something magical. 
 
Quotes
“I’ve gotten to a point in my life where I know who I am, it’s as simple as that. I know I have these super masculine qualities and super feminine qualities and I know that I like them both, I have power in them both, and people appreciate them both.” (22:51 | Darius)
“When you are present you can’t get hurt. You know that you’re standing in your power and this is your truth and this is the space that you belong in, nobody can hurt you. You realize, this is what I am supposed to be doing.” (30:59 | John and Darius)
“Being on ‘Renaissance,’ I was able to, again, get into the ‘Crazy in Love,’ and then go into ‘Savage,’ or ‘My Power,’  with the boys, and then go back into ‘Move’ with the girls. I was really able to step into both of those feelings.” (35:11 | Darius)
 
Links
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 03: The Dip with Jay Jackson aka Laganja Estranja

Dive into the dazzling world of Jay Jackson, also known as Laganja Estranja, where the art of dance meets the boldness of drag, creating a spectacle of talent and transformation. In this episode, host John Corella and the renowned drag queen and choreographer explore a myriad of topics, from dance and television to the vital intersection of LGBTQ issues within the dance world.
 
Laganja opens up about her extensive dance background, sharing insights from her early ballet classes to her evolution into an international performer. She discusses her affinity for contemporary dance and how her dance competition background has uniquely shaped her choreography, blending various styles and expressions.
 
The conversation also delves into the significant role of dance in the drag community and its ongoing evolution. Laganja pays homage to influential figures in her career, such as her drag mother, Alyssa Edwards,  and Candis Cayne, and discusses her recent choreography projects, including collaborations with Lady Camden and Trixie and Katya.
 
A central theme of the episode is the importance of representation and inclusion in the dance industry, especially for the transgender community. Laganja speaks passionately about the need for transgender individuals to be in leadership positions, advocating for their community. She candidly shares her experiences and challenges as a transgender performer, shedding light on the industry's landscape.
 
This episode provides an insightful look into Laganja Estranja's multifaceted career as a dancer, choreographer, and drag queen, highlighting the transformative power of dance in the LGBTQ+ community and the significance of embracing one's true identity in the arts.
 
Quotes
“I think definitely now that newer generations are becoming drag queens, there's definitely a crossover. You know, I used to really be the only like dancing queen in L.A. that had background dancers that were choreographed. You know, which was so crazy to me, because now you see that in L.A. all the time. But I think over the years, drag has become more dance centric and more focused on the tricks that you can do on stage, as opposed to just the look or the lip sync of it all.” (26:04 | Jay Jackson) 
“Respect in general is something that my parents instilled in me at a very young age. Both my parents were high school counselors for 30 plus years and so they raised me to be very in touch with my emotions and in touch with other’s emotions.” (29:41 | Jay Jackson) 
“I want to respect those that have helped me become successful. So even though I never really took voguing classes before Drag Race or was in the ballroom community, I wouldn't have had such an outlandish appeal on the TV show if it hadn't been for all those that came before me. That's why when I went back for All-Star 6, I wanted to pay ode or paid homage to Tandy Amon-Dupree, who was known for flying out from the ceiling into a split. And so again, anytime people bring up that entrance, I always try to say her name because What I truly believe is even though those people may have never placed their hands on me, their art, their lineage, what they left has inspired me to be the artist I am today.” (30:23 | Jay Jackson) 
I worked with Meryl Streep once. And I could visibly see her nervous. I used to think, Oh, if you're the people that are the best in their art, they never get nervous. So I would feel kind of shame over my nerves. And so I always tell the kids that when they feel nervous, that it's because you care. Even the greats. (35:51 | John)
“So much of, you know, who I am, my character, everything, it comes from her [Alyssa Edwards]. I mean, she's my drag mother.” (41:57 | Jay Jackson)
Links
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
 
Laganja on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laganjaestranja
Laganja on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaganjaEstranja
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 02: When You Have Your Why the How Becomes More Clear with Lennon and Gina Torres

Have you ever wondered about the personal journeys of those in the dance world, especially when it involves embracing one's true identity? How does the dance community support its members through these transformative experiences? This episode of "Dance Dad," hosted by John Corella, known for his role as a co-creator and executive producer of Dance Moms, delves into these questions. John brings his unique perspective and deep understanding of the dance competition world, offering a platform for honest and safe conversations about the challenges and triumphs within this vibrant community. 
 
“When you have your ‘Why’ the ‘How’ becomes more clear,” says Lennon Torres, John’s guest on the show.  Lennon is a transgender woman, and she is joined on the show with her mother, Gina who appeared on Dance Moms. The discussion delves into Lennon's journey as a transgender individual and Gina's experiences as a supportive parent. It also explores the broader context of inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community in the dance competition world. The episode highlights Lennon's personal growth, emphasizing her journey of staying true to herself and the importance of having a supportive family. 
 
Gina's reflections provide a parental perspective, focusing on the challenges and learning experiences of raising a child in the competitive dance environment. This conversation is not just about dance; it's about life, identity, and the universal themes of acceptance and support. It resonates with anyone who has faced the challenge of self-expression and the importance of creating inclusive communities. 
 
Whether you're a part of the dance world or simply interested in heartfelt stories of personal growth and acceptance, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for everyone. It creates a welcoming space for listeners to explore and understand diverse experiences within the dance community.
Quotes
I always say that Lennon is, was always me and Zachary will always be a part of me. I don't view it as a thing like some people do. And I think that is like a misconception among gender nonconforming, genderqueer individuals is that there's this transition. And I always say that, you know, we're all growing and developing. And so it's not that I was once this person and I'm now this person, I just grew up into who I was supposed to be. So I would say that.  (4:38 | Lennon) 
I watch Michelle Obama videos, and then I'm like, ready to take on the world. Um, but the real answer is. You don't always feel empowered. You feel weak at times. You feel sad that someone has been able to take your power away. And it's just about constantly reminding yourself of why you're doing what you're doing. And it's very easy to empower yourself to do it. When you have a why, the how becomes more clear. And that's been something that's really been true for me. (14:25 | Lennon) 
It's not about you. It's about your kid. So take the pressure off yourself and just say, this is where we're at. I'm going to support you and I love you. And it's not that hard. It makes me crazy. It's not that hard. (1:05:46 | Gina)
 
Links
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
 
Lennon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lennon_torres_/
Heat Initiative:  https://protectchildrennotabuse.org/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 01: Forgiveness... The Other F Word with Christi Lukasiak

Christi Lukasiak, our ultimate dance mom, shows that sometimes the most impressive moves are the ones we make towards forgiveness and understanding, both for ourselves and others. In the first episode of this captivating podcast, host John Corella, co-creator and executive producer of Dance Moms, engages Christi in a heartfelt discussion that spans a variety of topics, from the drama of the dance competition world to personal growth and LGBTQ issues within the dance world and as a parent and family.
 
Christi's is very candid, sharing her journey of self-forgiveness for her actions on the show, her personal battles with self-esteem, and the challenges of having her less-than-perfect moments broadcast on television, only to be re-examined and critiqued on social media. Christi also opens up about her daughter Chloe's coming out as gay, sharing her own process of navigating the mixed emotions of grief and fear, a path many parents will find relatable. She speaks candidly about her journey to not only accept but also celebrate Chloe, admiring her daughter's confidence and strength throughout this life-changing experience.
 
This episode offers an honest conversation between John and Christi, sharing a side of Christi you may have not seen or heard before!  It highlights the transformative power of forgiveness, both in the high-pressure environment of the dance world and in the broader context of their lives.
 
Quotes:
“I make mistakes. Some have been on TV. That is my tagline in life.” (38:13 | Christi Lukasiak) 
“I have a hard time getting past some stuff because I will still see clips of my worst behavior. And I'm like, I get it. I was terrible. Like, I don't know what else to say. So sometimes that's a little hard, but I always look at, in the moment, having all of the experiences I had up until that exact moment in life, the decisions I made were exactly the decisions that I was capable of making with the information I had.”  (40:07 | Christi Lukasiak) 
“Whether you are judging me, or you're adoring me, you're still watching. So thanks for the rating.” (47:54 | Christi Lukasiak)
“Chloe is Gen Z. Gen Z is a completely different generation than anybody else. As you know, I do believe that they are going to change everything because they are advocates. They don't just sit around and do. They're not all talk, like they do take action.” (1:00:27 | Christi)
“I think any parent who has a child come out, it is hard to deal with. Because it's unexpected, all of your expectations of what you think their life is going to look like. It's almost like a grieving period, because you have to understand that's not what it is. But that's okay. Different isn't bad. It's just different.” (1:07:53 | Christi Lukasiak) 
“I always said on the show I wanted to raise somebody that I liked. I would always love my children. And not only have I raised somebody that I like, but I raised somebody that I hope to be like.” (1:08:21 | Christi Lukasiak) 
 
Links
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedadwithjohncorella/
John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_corella/
 
Eleve Dance Competition: https://www.elevedancecomp.com/
Christi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christilukasiak/
Back To The Barre Podcast:  https://www.instagram.com/backtothebarrepodcast/
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Dance Dad With John Corella - Trailer

As one of the co creators/executive producers of the hit reality show Dance Moms, this podcast will be a safe space to talk about all things Dance. I will have meaningful conversations with guests from the show Dance Moms, as well as discussing the colorful, magical Dance competition world that I grew up competing in and am still a part of teaching and choreographing for. 
Put your dance shoes on every other Friday when this podcast comes out! Listen. Be Bold. Be Fierce.