Lez Keep It Real

Some of you may not know, but I have written an article about Mia Michaels for Curve Magazine. The article will publish sometime soon (still waiting to hear when) so I can’t reveal what she and I spoke about. All I can say is that she’s incredibly candid and a true free spirit.

But … for those of you who don’t want to wait until the Curve article publishes, I have some exciting news! I was restricted with a word limit and since the conversation I had with Mia lasted about 40 minutes, I have some left over material that wasn’t used for the article. So to all you Mia Michaels fans … here you go. This is part of the conversation I had with her.

Behind the scenes of So You Think You Can Dance with Mia Michaels

We know about the dancers from this season’s show, but what about the choreographers? Mia Michaels takes time out from her busy schedule to answer a few questions about the show and what it’s like to be behind the scenes of So You Think You Can Dance!

With the popularity of So You Think You Can Dance, do you think there is a dance movement in this country right now?
I do. I think that the show has been awesome. The show has a variety of dance styles and Nigel Lithgoe (creator of the show) just lets the choreographers do what they do. He hired talented people and allowed them to be free to do what they do. When you have something like that, it’s going to be successful. I love working with him because he respects the art and he respects the choreographers. I think that he created a show that shows America what dance is really about. It brings every form of dance to living rooms across the country and educates Americans on what dance is today. I feel very privileged to be a part of that.

You seem to have no fear when it comes to putting yourself out there through your choreography. Is that harder to do now that you are more of a public figure?
When I create something I am always trying to push myself and create something that is new and different for me. I get bored easily so I am constantly seeking any moment that is different in my eyes and in my heart. You know, every day is a different day and a new experience and, actually, I don’t even try. My life is very extreme and I live very full out. I just live fully and so I experience fully. And those feelings that go along with living fully, they naturally come out in my work. It’s my outlet, you know. Sometimes I don’t even realize it until I look back. That’s when I’m affected by it and I cry. I think wow, that’s my work. There’s so much inside of me and I actually learn about myself. Everything I put into my choreography, I learn from it later on.

How hard is it to be a judge on the show, deciding who goes and who stays?
Sometimes, we have to get into it with each other because we all want certain people to stay, especially when they do our work extremely well. But it really comes down to a final say from Nigel. Sometimes we are completely in agreement and sometimes we have to sit back there and go through it.

Is it more difficult when you connect to certain dancers?
Definitely, because you don’t know who you’re going to connect with. My first time working with Lacey, I connected to her big time and I didn’t think I would because I never connected to her brother at all. And when I had her the first week, I just thought she was a cool chick. She is just awesome and real. I thought if we wouldn’t be working together we’d be friends. So some of the dancers to just connect to. Like Dominick was just amazing to have around. He was just a joy. This season, by far, was my favorite season of dancers because of their personalities and talent. We laughed, cried, created and danced. It was a great season.

It definitely came across that way.
Did it?

Oh yeah, totally! As far as coupling is concerned, is it difficult when couples don’t connect during a routine?
When couples connect, you know, it’s much more copasetic. I had a time when two dancers weren’t connecting at all. And it just makes it more complicated. When you have dancers that don’t really go for it, go full out. You doubt them. And when you are putting stuff out on national television, you have to be able to trust them. But at the end of the day, everybody put forth an amazing effort. Being an artist you just do what you do and hope for the best.

How does it feel to be nominated for an Emmy?
I’m excited. This is my second nomination. My first one was for the Celine Dion show and I didn’t win that one. Being nominated though, that in itself is pretty cool. You know, everybody wants to win. Of course that would be amazing. But I’m up against some talented choreographers, like Wade Robson.

I noticed you use Celine and Imogen Heap. How do you choose songs to match the dances?
The producers of the show love Celine. And I enjoy her music, but they wanted me to use some of her songs. I accepted it and I do it. I love Imogen Heap too. I tend to pick music when I’m in the moment. When music affects me so much that it makes me sick, I know that I have to create something to fit that piece. I will get literally sick to my stomach if I don’t create something.

Is there a dancer from this season’s show that you’d be interested in working with?
Oh yeah! I love a lot of them. I would work with the majority of them for different reasons.

Are you coming back next season?
If they ask me back, yes. It’s one of my favorite projects to work on.

What do you do when you’re not choreographing?
I just like to hang out with friends, grab cocktails, go to yoga, go to he beach – I love the beach. I’m a beach girl because I was born and raised in Miami. And I love working with underprivileged children and families. That’s actually something I would love to get more involved with.

Mia Michaels learned to dance at three and began choreographing at 11. She has worked with Madonna, Prince and most recently, Celine Dion. Her amazing choreography currently graces the stage of Cirque du Soleil’s live music concert tour, “Delirium.” She is also the founder, artistic director and choreographer for RAW, an acclaimed New York-based dance company.

For the rest of my conversation with Mia, you’ll have to wait for the Curve article. I know what you are all thinking. Is she gay???? I’ll be honest … I know the answer. But unfortunately, as I said before, you’ll just have to wait. Sorry!

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