Meet Courtnaé Paul of South Africa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtnaé Paul.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Courtnaé Paul, and I’m an athlete, B-girl, DJ, and cultural force from South Africa. I was born in Durban, KZN, and at 21 made the move to Johannesburg to fully pursue a career in dance.

I started what many would consider late, but I landed my first professional gig at 15 and never looked back. I didn’t come from a traditional dance background — instead, I grew up doing gymnastics, soccer, kickboxing, and any sport I could get involved in. When I discovered breaking later on, everything just clicked. It felt like all those disciplines had been building toward that moment.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to tour, choreograph, and perform with both local and international artists, and have competed and performed in more countries than I can count. Alongside my work as a dancer, I’ve DJed on some of the country’s biggest stages, released music, and was nominated for DJ of the Year at the South African Hip Hop Awards.

My work has also extended into speaking and storytelling, with panels ranging from the Forbes Women Africa Summit to Comic Con Africa, where I’ve been able to share insights at the intersection of culture, sport, and industry.

I’ve built a business focused on supplying talent and creating opportunities for young dancers and creatives, and have also created my own event, It Takes Two, as a platform to bring the culture together and push it forward. Through content and creative work, I continue to collaborate with brands and audiences in a way that feels authentic to my journey.

I’m a five-time South African champion and two-time African champion in breaking, and today my work sits at the intersection of movement, music, and culture. I’m constantly evolving, learning, and building — creating the blueprint as I go.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been smooth sailing. I left home at a young age without formal backing or a support system, so I had to go all in on myself. I was also entering a space that hadn’t really made room for someone like me — breaking is still largely male-dominated, and when I started, there were very few platforms locally for B-girls.

I had to build from the ground up — finding opportunities without connections, evolving my skills, and staying consistent in an industry where results and return on investment aren’t always immediate. On top of that, I’ve dealt with injuries and still had to show up and continue developing my craft.

On a personal level, I lost my dad at 13 and more recently my mom, and I’ve had experiences that could easily derail you. But that’s the nature of life — it isn’t always fair, and we’re all dealt different cards. What matters is how you choose to move forward.

At the end of the day, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I’ve lived a full life so far, and I’ve stayed committed to the vision, even when it didn’t make sense to anyone else.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work across breaking, DJing, and culture-led projects, sitting at the intersection of movement, music, and storytelling. I’m known for my versatility — from competing and performing to playing major stages and building my own platforms.

I’m proud of being able to push my sport and culture into spaces where it hasn’t traditionally had visibility — from being a GSport GAL recipient to features on platforms like Olympics.com, BBC, and Forbes Africa. Some standout moments include choreographing for major award shows like the DStv MVMAs and Channel O Awards, opening for international artists like Lil Wayne and Fatman Scoop, and being the highest-ranking African across both male and female categories at the Olympic Qualifier Series.

I’m also proud of being able to positively influence the youth, and to contribute to the development of community programmes that create opportunities and grow the culture.

There are many highlights I’m proud of, but equally, I’m proud of the consistency — being able to show up every day, do what I love, and keep going with a smile, no matter what I’m facing.

What sets me apart is that I don’t just participate in culture — I try to actively build and shape it.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Stay consistent and focus on your craft — that’s the foundation of everything. It’s easy to get caught up in chasing opportunities or validation, but real growth comes from putting in the work, even when no one is watching.

Also, don’t wait for permission or the “right moment.” Create your own opportunities, back yourself, and be willing to start before you feel ready.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Courtnaepaul.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtnae_paul
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Courtnae.Paul1
• Twitter: https://x.com/courtnae_paul
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@courtnaepaul
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@courtnae_paul