We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Messiah Butler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Messiah, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
As an artist in this industry I feel like I’ve had a very selective and fortunate experience. You won’t see me on every job and my phone isn’t ringing off the hook with opportunities, but I believe God always puts me in the right rooms at the right time. I can say almost all my jobs have been extremely impactful and contributed to the dancer I have become. If I had to pick one job that was the most meaningful it would have to be the Khalid “Free spirit Tour”. That tour brought out indescribable feelings I never knew I had behind my craft and in my personal life. I really felt my artistry take flight, I got to see the world while doing what I love, and I built life long friendships that I never knew I needed. The treatment was at the highest standard and honestly I believe every artist in this industry should be able to experience what it feels like to work in an healthy environment but to also be treated like family. All in all, life is what you make it, so I walk on every project and I make it mean something to ME.
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?
Im Messiah Butler also known as THATGRL and I would say i’m a social butterfly, born straight out of LA. You can put me in any room and my wings will spread! Having been born with the gift of diverse talents my inner sense of drive and determination helps me to accomplish many tasks presented to me. I am a descendent of a long lineage of artist with a rich heritage of cultural dance and music, my grandmother, mother, and auntie were all performers. I was blessed to build a foundation at a popular LA dance academy, I came in as a diamond in the rough and came out a refined jewel. My artistry (dance) is a huge part of my life but it does not define me. I always try to exude good energy and vibes while also providing a space for people to be their authentic selves around me. When I think about my journey and how far I’ve come from quitting dance for almost 2 years because of the trauma I didn’t know existed behind it, to leaping out on faith and believing in myself and my talent. I can say I am extremely proud of how far I’ve come and where I have gotten myself today. When it comes to this thing called life I always remember that God has written everybody their own story. Don’t compare to the next, don’t dwell on what you cannot control, and most importantly trust that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes you have to take a step back and realize who YOU are and what YOU believe about yourself not what people project. Life be life’n but you have to fight back! Being THATGRl is not just a saying or my brand, it’s not pedestal i’m trying to be on. Its an aura, a light that can’t be dimmed, a mindset that uplifts those around, and a pure heart and that’s what its all about <3
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
If i’m going to be honest growing up in a dance academy there was a lot of unnecessary drama attached to it. Although i am overly grateful for the training, opportunity, and experience i truly believe it took a toll on my mental health at a young age. Once i did my last year in the academy which was also my last year of high school, i really had no urge to continue my dance career, so i went to college. For two years of college I tried to live a “normal life” joined the cheer team but still had no urgency to get back in the field. Luckily, I met some new friends and have family that believed in me and saw my talent, that at the time i couldn’t see for myself which also pushed me tremendously. Towards the end of my second year i began to open my eyes and realized i might have been going through things in the past but that did not dictate the rest of my life. I knew i loved dance but i was holding onto to things tied to it that didn’t deserve to be. It wasn’t fair to me or my future. From that day on i knew that dance was something that made me happy and free so i started to get back in class. After a few months back in training i got my first job in the industry and it was for a headlining artist in Coachella and a World tour! Sometimes you really just have to let go of the past and bet on yourself!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding thing for me right now would have to be sharing knowledge with the youth and/or next generation. Theres nothing like being able to help guide, groom, and continue setting the standard for the next up! For me, getting into the dance industry one thing I looked for the most was guidance and mentorship and luckily I found that, so to be that for others would be a very rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/siahhelise
- Instagram: Siahhelise
- Youtube: Siahhelise