Meet Jonathan Bryant

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Bryant.

Jonathan, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started dancing professionally at the age of 16 in Atlanta. I have always been in the arts since I was a child ranging from drawing and painting to singing in chorus from elementary to high school. The arts were always my way of expressing myself, a way to escape the world and truly be myself. I started by dancing in middle/high school, and once I moved to Atlanta, I began to find avenues to where I could further my training and grow as a dancer. I learned at a young age, not to rely on anyone to give me what I want but to work hard and push myself to be the best that I can be. I’ve always found a way to continue to do what I love and remain relevant in the entertainment business. I am blessed to have the career that I have working with major artists and names, TV and film and musical theatre. My business JAYBSMOOVE, became incorporated in 2017 to infuse what I was already doing and what I wanted to accomplish in one place. From there, I have worked to evolve my brand into something where I use the knowledge and skills I have learned in my career thus far and what I want my business to represent.

Great, 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?
My journey definitely has not been a crystal stair. There have been times of self-doubt and struggle not only in my personal life but in my career as well. The entertainment business has a way of making you feel like you aren’t good enough. In the past, I tried to be how others wanted me to be in order to work, but all that did was make me lose myself. At the beginning of my career in Atlanta, the market for dancers was heavily female-based and those males that worked looked and danced a certain way. I’ve always walked to the beat of my own drum and, in return sometimes walked alone. I have never had a mentor in my career. I always wanted one but never found someone who was willing to take me under their wing and show me the ropes. As a result, I’ve had to figure it out on my own. I have made plenty of mistakes along the way while carving my own path in this business. I knew I had talent and knew that I was going to be a success, but figuring out the right way to do so was a challenge. I think because of all the things I have learned, I want to share that knowledge with the next generation. I’m still human and will still make mistakes but how I handle them and recover is what makes me the man I am now. I want everyone who feels that they are not being seen, being respected, or being recognized to know that everyone has their own path and the what’s for you is for you. Learn as much as you can from others, but don’t ever let someone change who you are.

Please tell us about your work.
My business/brand is JAYBSMOOVETHEBRAND. My brand incorporates three things: MOVEMENT, STYLE AND PERSONALITY. MOVEMENT offers my skills of teaching, privates, choreography and artist development. The STYLE section offers my services of styling. I gear towards working professionals that would use my services for photoshoots to promote their brands and companies. I am working on transitioning into TV and film in doing costuming. The last section is PERSONALITY. In this part of my business, I help to promote self-worth and the realization that everyone has a purpose on this Earth. I want people to know that to succeed and have the best life you can have, all you have to do is just be yourself. I am in the works in creating my IG/YouTube show, where I will discuss what real people talk and think about and promote the ideals of being authentically YOU. I am proud of my company because it is not only a brand but a way that I can utilize what I have learned in my career and life in turn that into something that will make a name for myself. JAYBSMOOVETHEBRAND is in a league of its own not only for the services I provide, but that I want to help you be the best you through the help of my business. Being YOU makes you a success. My business is here to utilize the knowledge and skills that I have to enhance or bring out the best YOU possible.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from my childhood is performing for the first time by myself in a talent show in 8th grade at my middle school Kitty Hawk Jr. High in Converse, TX. I performed a song called “U-Turn” by Usher Raymond off of his 8701 album. I choreographed the dance myself and styled myself for the performance. Rhinestones on clothes were big at the time, so I made a “J” on a T-shirt and put rows of rhinestones on my faded-whisker jeans. I remember being excited and nervous when I got ready to perform and I went out and did my thing. Once I was done, everyone was yelling and cheering for me in the crowd. I ended up winning the talent show. The next day, the whole school was talking about my performance and how well I did, even the teachers. The moment was gratifying because it made me aware that I had a talent for this and could make this into a profession. I have been performing ever since.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaybsmoove/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaybsmoovethebrand/
• Twitter: twitter.com/jaybsmoove

Image Credit:
Photography by John Nalls
IG: @jnallsstudios

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