We recently connected with Kaelie Osorio and have shared our conversation below.

Kaelie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

At the start of my professional dance career, I danced for the NBA as a Los Angeles Laker Girl. Representing an organization like the Lakers came with a lot of responsibility and expectations of perfection. This kind of role and dancing was different than what I expected myself to do in my career. Naturally, I had imposter syndrome. My own mind would tell me horrible narratives about not fitting the part and I believed them. Identifying with my negative thoughts made me question my dancing ability in rehearsals, criticize my looks at games, and overthink every little thing I’d say at community events/promos. Outside of the conflict in my mind, I loved the job, my teammates, and the organization as a whole. However, I was not operating on love for the opportunity, I was operating on fear of not being fit for it. On game days, when we would walk onto the court for the national anthem and player intros, Thomas Bryant was on the Lakers team at the time, and he would repeatedly yell “get your mind right!” I adopted this saying and constantly said it to myself and my teammates. To me, getting my mind right means being unbothered by the brain. Rewiring thoughts of inadequacy to reminders of every little thing I needed to feel, look, and do my best. Most importantly, practicing grace and compassion for myself and my mind to find a state of flow. This is a lesson that I’m constantly learning, it isn’t easy and wasn’t perfectly learned the first time. I’m very grateful to share that I made the team for a second season and got to step into the role as a reinvigorated version of myself. The lesson of getting my mind right is something that carries into every creative process I am involved in.

Kaelie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have been dancing my whole life and becoming a professional dancer has always been my dream. I’m a 2x Laker Girl, Acts of Matter company member, Indigo Dance Company dancer, and I work with a few entertainment companies in the LA area. I have also danced in art installations, music videos, and concept videos. I’ve recently gotten into choreography and movement direction for fashion shows. I have choreographed and performed in multiple runway shows for Fashion Republic. I am passionate about the ways movement from an embodied being can bring life to different art forms like music, fashion, and visual art. Outside of dance, I have earned a 200hr registered yoga certification and teach a free class for the LA community at Happier Cafe / Tadaa Coffee on Sundays at 10am.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I recommend the book Art & Fear to every single artist. It’s a book you want by your side at all times.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I am a very goal oriented person so the list of dreams I have for myself as a dancer/choreographer/yoga instructor and practitioner goes on and on. But at the end of the day, staying curious and receptive as an artist is something that will drive me forever.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: kaelieosorio
• Linkedin: Kaelie Osorio

Image Credits

The first one I submitted of myself against the tan canvas and the one of me in the blue room upside down is photographed by Maya Gorman