Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmanuel Malette.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Emmanuel. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Well, I started dancing when I was around 13 years old during a really rough time in my life. My dad and my mom were getting divorced after a physically and emotionally abusive relationship, and when all of this was going on I just needed an emotional escape. Dance was that for me.
I started by attending summer dance camps at my cousin’s church and by studying YouTube videos. When I finally had the chance to get on that stage, it felt surreal and I have been in love with dance ever since.
With that love and joy for this craft, my senior year of high school I decided that I wanted to make dance my career. So I applied to one of the best dance programs in the country!
Now starts the waiting game.
Days go by, nothing. Weeks go by, still nothing.
But eventually, after checking the mail every day, the letter finally comes!
I open the letter to read the good news, so I thought. Its reads:
Dear Emmanuel,
Thank you for your application. Unfortunately…
Those were the only words I needed to read. I was CRUSHED. Here I am trying to make my dreams become a reality for the first time, and I get REJECTED.
I sat in my room in complete darkness for about three hours after I reading that letter. I was really hurt.
However, I could not give up. I kept hearing God’s voice. I continued to feel in my heart that no matter how bad things were, that I was meant to go to that school and train. So with that in mind, my mom sends in my audition application to the school anyway.
In preparation for the audition, I took ballet class from YouTube for three months, three hours a day. I had absolutely NO IDEA what I was doing. But one thing I did know was that I had a dream! And I was going to accomplish it no matter what.
Three months later, I audition for the dance program and then reapply to the school. I remember giving every ounce of energy that I had at that audition.
And… it paid off! I recieve a letter in the mail reading:
Dear Emmanuel,
Congratulations…!
I had been ACCEPTED!!!!!!! I couldn’t believe it. I was finally going to be able to go to the school of my dreams. I had worked and prayed so hard, and I had received what I had prayed and worked for.
However even though I had gotten accepted, my work was only beginning. I had a lot of catching up to do in other styles like ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, and african. But like my good friend Tamisha Guy says, “I was willing to do the work.” And my friend Ashani Mfuko, “When you do the work it works.”
Well, I did the work and it worked.
Today I can proudly say that I have a BFA in Choreography and Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. And since my 2016 graduation, I have competed in Usher Raymond’s Megastar and achieved top 5 global status, been in countless dance films, danced on tour with a professional dance company, been on national TV, and have been blessed to achieve many other professional accolades.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not at all!!! I remember my mother telling me that the doctors said I was supposed to be mentally delayed and unable to do the things that I am doing today.
I remember catching two buses and walking to work, simply because I couldn’t afford Uber.
I remember not being included in certain things when I first started. People thought that I didn’t notice, but I did.
I remember wanting to move to Atlanta for three years before I made the move. But I couldn’t, because I just could not secure the funds. All of the while, many people would say terrible things about me. These were people that I treated with so much love and compassion.
I remember dealing with rejection after rejection. Not winning Megastar really hurt me. All of this gradually took a huge toll on my mental health. I faced depression for the first time. I had to invest in counseling for many other issues. But even in the midst of all of this pain, I could feel God’s hand on my back, still pushing me forward. I could feel him whispering in my ear words of encouragement, “count it all joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds. For you know that the testing of your faith is meant to produce steadfastness.” It was through God’s words of encouragement that I was able to come out of depression. And it was through his power that I was able to become the person that I am today.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a professional dancer. First, what sets me apart as a dancer is my versatility. I am a street dancer that was also trained in ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, and african. Secondly, what sets me apart as a professional is my work ethic and mindset. I will always be the hardest working individual in a room. Not out of competition, but that is just the cloth that I am cut from.
When it comes to my mindset, my goal in any process is to add value. I do not let my ego get involved. I just aim to add value to whatever process that I am involved with in order to ultimately achieve the overall goal.
I am also in love with acting and fashion.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My goal for next year is to book a tour with Ciara and/or Janet Jackson.
My overall short term goal is to prepare myself for the 2025 version of me. There is a certain impact that I want to have on this world that I will not be able to have until I have done all of the things that will ultimately lead me to the 2025 version of myself.
I believe that the more successful that I am in my career, the more people will listen to what I have to say. And I have a lot to say haha. I really want to help people to see themselves in a more positive light and I really believe that God has given me that gift.
Contact Info:
- Email: emmanuelshowtimemalette@gmail.
com - Instagram: @showtimee_
- Facebook: Emmanuel Malette
Image Credit:
Jen Guy Metcalf
Phillip Spohn
Sarina Kurrimbukus
Alyssa Tomchick
Anapl-Fotografía
Experimental Film Virginia
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