Life & Work with Nácoleon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nácoleon.

Hi Nácoleon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Born in Atlanta, GA I grew up thinking I would make a career being an anchor or reporter. At 11-years-old I interviewed Barack Obama and later I would interview other big names like Jack Black, Bill Cosby, Kandi Burruss, and just to name a few. I thought going to a performing arts high school for acting would help me with journalism. But it was there where dance actually found me. I left that high school as a dance major and ended up going to college and graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. Because I graduated on crutches from having 2 knee surgeries just months before, I spent a lot of time in physical therapy. When I could finally walk again I started booking background work on television sets. 2 years later I finally booked my first nation wide commercial for Nerd Wallet, Inc. as a principal performer. It aired on ESPN, ABC, NBC, Bravo, VH1, MTV, Hulu, Comedy Central, and Tubi for a year and a half. I was ecstatic not only because I was asked to dance in it, but because I actually had lines. I landed a principal role! A year and a half later I auditioned for a RWS Global talent and ended up booking the job as an inaugural speciality acro performer on MSC World Europa. I traveled to France, Spain, Italy, Qatar, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Oman. A year later I transitioned to Virgin Voyages where I traveled to several more countries, “Awakening” at Wynn Las Vegas, and then Scary Movie 6. I saw post on social media for Scary Movie 6 that they were looking for black male twerkers. I sent in my video audition and actually booked it. I booked church dancer number 6. We filmed the scene at Tyler Perry Studios. I watched the entire Scary Movie Franchise growing up. Regina Hall’s character “Brenda” was always my favorite. And now I was filming the “Sinners” parody scene with her for the movie. Being on screen in theaters across the world, I am gagged. Like wow, I really did that!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In 2017 had just completed the contemporary summer intensive at Jacob’s Pillow in Massachusites and was preparing to begin my senior year of college. However I felt something weird going on with my knee. It kept grinding. I went to the doctor and it had been determined that I would have to have 2 surgeries on my left knee for a meniscus tear and cartilage stem cell growth insert. I found this out the day before I went to Beijing, China to dance at the International Dance Seminar. I was devastated. The doctor wasn’t sure if I would be able to dance again. I was on crutches for 9 months and couldn’t dance for entire year. I knew I would never be the same dancer again. Now I only do dance jobs that allow me to wear shoes for support and shock absorption.

Another challenge I faced was my identity and understanding of what kind of dancer I was. I had been training in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz since I was 14-years-old. And now that I had knee surgery I knew I wouldn’t be able to be the same dancer I was before. The grand allegro, the floor work or Graham technique, I knew my knee wouldn’t be able to sustain in a just a ballet slipper or barefoot dancing. So I thought I’d give Hip Hop a try since they wear sneakers. It took me a long time but I finally discovered that with my Jazz background and a sneaker my body could adapt to Jazz Funk.

Getting injured on a dance job from puppetry. Sounds crazy right. I was doing a Las Vegas residency show where I auditioned to be a dancer and somehow ended up operating a massive puppet that led to me getting a laberal tear in my hip aka torn cartilage. I was angry. How could I get injured like this and I wasn’t even dancing. I was out of shows for 5 months and couldn’t run or jump. The doctor recommended surgery but also gave me the option of PRP injection. I chose the injections and had 4 of them.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a professional dancer who specializes in Jazz Funk. My recent dance credits include “Scary MoVIe”, “Awakening” at Wynn Las Vegas Residency, Brilliant Lady Tour on Virgin Voyages, “Stellar Awards “on BET with Erica Campbell and Jor’Dan Armstrong, “Tom Swift” on The CW, Saweetie, Saucy Santana, Lil Mo, NerdWallet. Inc, Monat, and more. I’m most proud to have been able to experience 30 countries on a dance contract. What a blessing it was to have been paid to immerse myself into so many different cultures and perform at the same time rent free. My name sets me apart from others. It’s not everyday you meet a Nácoleon.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I booked a principal role in nation wide commercial because a casting director saw a video of me dancing on instagram and reached out to me. You never know who’s watching.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Linktr.ee/nacoleon
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/nacoleon
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@nacoleonh