James Dhaiti, photo by Melika Dez

From a young age, James Dhaiti’s life has been a masterclass in the art of dance. Beginning his journey at just six years of age, James delved into multidisciplinary dance, captivating audiences across Canada and the United States with his extraordinary talent. His dedication bore fruit early when he was honored with an award at Hip-hop Canada in 2015, setting the stage for a dazzling career.

James’s versatility as a performer is nothing short of enchanting. He has graced the stage in celebrated musicals such as “Mamma Mia,” “Fame,” and “Mary Poppins,” leaving an indelible mark with each performance. His brilliant contributions also extended to prestigious companies like Cirque Éloize and Les Sept Doigts de la Main, showcasing his exceptional range. Not one to be confined to the stage, James’s charisma shone in the film “Snowday” and in numerous television appearances, further amplifying his artistic influence.

After he moved to Los Angeles, his illustrious journey includes electrifying performances on Kendrick Lamar’s The Big Steppers Tour, a stunning showcase with Rihanna at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and a dynamic appearance with BlackPink at Coachella. Additionally, James dazzled viewers with Karol G at the VMAs and continued to captivate on Kendrick Lamar’s festival tour and in Lil Simz’s “Gorilla” music video.

Through every twist and turn, James’s unwavering commitment to his dream has proven to be his greatest asset. Hailing from Laval, a picturesque city near Montreal, he attributes his success to relentless hard work and the support of remarkable mentors and friends who have guided him along the way.

James Dhaiti on-stage with Karol G at the VMAs

What really inspired you to start dancing at the age of six?

It was actually my parents’ idea to sign me up for dance classes. They told me I couldn’t stand still whenever music was playing. It could be at the mall, at the restaurant, in the street, it really didn’t matter, music already had its power over me. One day, my mom saw a dance studio doing a little performance at the mall and asked for more information. That’s how I started dancing.

What challenges did you face as a young dancer, and how did you overcome them?

I would say my biggest challenge as a young dancer was to have time for a social life. After elementary, I went to a school that had a lot of advanced classes and where I was doing more that 14 hours of dance weekly. With this new volume of homework and dance classes I was facing, I had little to no time for other stuff. My parents wanted me to get good grades, and I wanted to be good at dance, so I had a choice to make. Every time I was missing a family gathering, a birthday party or a school trip I was reminding myself that I had these bigger dreams and to achieve them I’ll have to put my energy and effort at the right place.

Performing at the Super Bowl and Coachella, and touring with Kendrick Lamar, is a dancer’s dream. How was it for you? 

I have to start by saying that going on tour, performing at the Super Bowl, and dancing at Coachella were top goals on my career list in the States. Talking about them now makes me emotional. Touring with Kendrick Lamar felt like a gift. It was his first time bringing dancers on tour, and having an all-black cast made it even more special. Performing every night for six months with a rapper I used to listen to daily is unreal.

James Dhaiti in Fame, photo by Laurence Labat

How did it feel to dance with Karol G at the VMAs, and how did this experience compare to your other major performances?

Dancing for Karol G at the VMA’s was empowering and felt like another milestone in my career that I made come true. Two years prior, I was watching the VMA’s on my computer as a motivation, while doing some paperwork for my VISA. I kept telling myself: The sooner you finish this VISA, the sooner you’ll be on the other side of the screen. Little did I know how quickly I would make this prediction come true. This job was also a small boost of confidence since I got ask to practice with Karol G alone before she danced with the cast. I felt like the choreographer trusted me with the task and I was happy to prove to her that I was more than capable to do it.

Among all your career highlights, which moment really stands out for you and why?

The show we did in Toronto with Kendrick, it was the first time since I moved to LA that my friends and family from back home would see me perform. They knew how hard I worked to move to LA and that this tour meant the world to me. So, to be able to share this moment with them and have them see me win was definitely a moment that stood out for me.

Reflecting on your journey, what were some of the biggest obstacles you faced, and how did you manage to stay motivated?

The biggest obstacle would have to be rejection. Before I booked Kendrick’s tour, I went through five other auditions got cut from all of them. It’s easy to think that you are not good enough when you keep getting rejected. This happens occasionally to this day. Last week I went to an audition and got cut on the second round. Of course, sometimes it takes a toll on my mood, but I always try to tell myself that if I keep believing in my talent, keep working hard and stay true to myself, I’ll get to the things that I want. Patience and timing are key!

Thank you, James, we are waiting for your next performance in Los Angeles!

Interview by Alice Bay