We recently connected with Kelinda White and have shared our conversation below.
Kelinda, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative and artistic path professionally was when I was very young—I’ve been dancing for as long as I can remember. My mother used to take me to plays and ballet productions from the time I was a baby. I grew up seeing beautiful prima ballerinas on stage and wishing that could be me one day. Music and dancing was always my happy place.
Now, decades later, I am fortunate to make a living doing what I love. I get paid to dance with talented artists, star in productions, appear in music videos and parades, and travel the world. As a dancer, I’ve had the opportunity to experience so much, and these experiences have shaped me into the person I am today.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Kelinda Star White, and I am first and foremost an artist. Hailing from South Pasadena, I began dancing at the tender age of 3, wholeheartedly supported by my family in pursuing my dream of becoming a ballet dancer. Over the years, I attended numerous schools, intensives, and workshops, steadily advancing and seizing opportunities to dance with esteemed ballet companies and theaters.
As I progressed, I began performing with ballet companies, culminating in a pivotal moment when I received my first paycheck as a professional dancer—an unforgettable milestone. Despite the perception of dance not being a traditional career, being paid to pursue my passion is a blessing. However, freelancing in this competitive industry demands resilience. I’m really grateful for the discipline and strength of character instilled in me through ballet.
Los Angeles, where stars are made, is an unforgiving arena with fierce competition, marked by countless rejections, broken promises, and moments of frustration. Yet, the chance to perform makes every challenge worthwhile.
I use my art to inspire and educate the community. From the age of 15, I began my journey in the pageant world, competing in the Woman of Achievement pageants. My breakthrough came when I won my first title as Miss California Jr. Teen. For me, pageantry was more than just about beauty—it was about community involvement, talent, and having a strong platform. I often performed my own choreography, consistently receiving top talent, people’s choice, and promising future awards. I worked my way up the ladder, winning in various categories and divisions, eventually earning recognition from the State of California, the California Legislature, Americorps’ President’s Volunteer Service Award, and being named one of the Most Inspirational People of the World in 2022 for my contributions and support in my community.
One of my passions is spreading awareness through my platform “Supporting the Arts,” which I believe is crucial for enriching life. This passion motivated me to start a business with my roommate Kirby called Kreative Collections. Together, we’re committed to using our platform to raise awareness about the importance of the arts and to spotlight other supporting artists in Los Angeles. Our business offers a variety of products, including creative candles, accessories, and apparel. We’re dedicated to inspiring others and making a positive impact in the art community with giving back.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
“You can’t do everything,” “That’s not a real job,” “It’s too unstable,” “What about your future?” “You can’t do it.” That’s what I’ve heard my whole life from people who didn’t think I could achieve what I have.
From a young age, performing felt natural to me, as if it was my mission to bring joy to others. Raised by a single mom who saw my love for music and dance, she got me into ballet lessons at a local studio, and I jumped right in.
After cosmetology school (yeah, I do a bit of everything), I moved to North Hollywood, the heart of the arts scene. After working a 9-5 and doing extra work after I decided to go full time as a freelancer – it’s been a wild ride! Unpredictable and sometimes tight on cash—but I love the freedom to work with different choreographers and artists. As well as having the power to make my own time to spend with family.
I still was looking for something to accomplish in the business industry, so I teamed up with Kirby, and we started Kreative Collections.
Starting the business wasn’t easy as the initial thought. Kirby and I worked tirelessly to create something different that eventually leaned into who we are as artists. We have learned from our mistakes quickly, faced setbacks and production delays. I still juggle late-night rehearsals with business meetings, working other jobs to financially support everything else I am trying to build and often sacrificing sleep and personal time to keep moving forward in our journey.
As Kreative Collections was growing and I was getting serious in my new Bachata Competition dance team, I experienced a major setback when I injured my neck during a late rehearsal. Not only was my neck mobility limited but the pain was unbearable. Thinking the worst possible scenarios, it was getting to me mentally. I worked with the best doctors and physical therapists as they all told me the same news, it was a devastating blow but I refused to let it define me.
With determination, support, strong prayers and faith. I focused on recovery and continuing to learn. I immersed myself back into the business learning about operations, managing social media, and developing new product ideas. I lost sight of the inner fighter I am and the artist I was meant to be.
Months later, I successfully made a comeback and was able to win the title of World Champion with my Bachata small group. My perseverance and resilience paid off as I returned to performing and took on a more active role in Kreative Colllections. The experience of overcoming adversity not only strengthened my body but also deepened the understanding of entrepreneurship and resilience.
Today, Kreative Collections continues to expand, featured in markets across Los Angeles. Collaborating with artists nationwide, our platform shines a spotlight on their unique art through apparel and accessories. Known not just for my stage talent but also for empowering fellow artists, I remain committed to resilience, passion, and inspiring others to pursue their dreams against all odds.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative or artist is the ability to express yourself authentically and being able to connect with others on a deep emotional level through your work. Knowing that your work has made an impact, sparked creativity in someone else, or provided comfort and solace during difficult times can be one of the most rewarding feelings in the world. Art builds brides between culture and tells a story. Creativity allows you to explore and share your unique perspective, ideas, and emotions with the world. For my platform, I expressed the importance of the arts in our society and how we need it now more than ever. Through all walks of life the arts is essential to not only children, but for military and physical therapy.
Being a creative or artist often involves pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and contributing to cultural and societal discourse. It’s about making a difference, however small, in how people perceive and experience the world around them. The process of creation itself can be incredibly fulfilling, as it allows you to continually grow, learn, and evolve as both an artist and a person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kreativecollections.com
- Instagram: @kelindastar_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePrettyFunnyPodcast
Image Credits
Joe Durkin, Angel Gaona, William Kidston