We were lucky to catch up with Olivia Wong recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Olivia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?

I have been in the entertainment industry since I moved to Los Angeles for my four-year bachelor’s program. Starting out as a small fish in this big pond can be very overwhelming due to the culture shock. You dream of climbing the ladder, working your way up, and accomplishing your wildest dreams. For me, that meant, at the time, touring the world, dancing with the biggest A-list artists, doing commercials, music videos—you name it; every dancer’s dream. What they don’t tell you is that once you work so hard to reach these milestones, often you are met with things you didn’t think about when you glorified this position. Dancers or the talent are often treated as bottom rank when it comes to these jobs. I hear more often than not from my peers stories of mistreatment, abuse, disregard, or even just basic decency when we show up repeatedly with the same respect and professionalism we are so willing to give time and again. These jobs initially became my whole identity. I would get so attached to the name of the job I was on that I would justify that treatment, thinking that it must happen to everyone. Superiors on a job would create an environment that made you feel replaceable, or if you spoke up, that you were being too much. This has been an industry-wide issue for a long time. Dancers fighting for proper rates and standards is an ongoing battle we show up for every day. I’ve realized and learned what is actually important to me when it comes to industry jobs. I will remember way more how I was treated, the people I was with, and how I felt, rather than whose name or success brought me there. I started out in this industry thinking I am only worthy if I have accomplishments and big-name jobs to show for it. The best lesson I could have ever realized is that my worth or identity is not determined by a job title, but by what I bring to these experiences and the connections I make. That’s how you organically climb the ladder in this industry. At the end of the day, we have one life to live. My passion has always been to create, to move, and to impact. I want to enjoy the journey and stay in love with this outlet of mine. Getting paid for it is just a bonus. My advice to any aspiring dancers in the field is to stay true to yourself and not compare yourself to others’ timelines of success. Your time and your journey will unfold as it needs to. You don’t need a huge job to deem yourself successful. Success is found in those who have met themselves and use it to inspire. I am so grateful for every job I have ever been on that has shaped me into this exact version of myself. I wish I could go back to 19-year-old Olivia and tell her she is so capable of everything she dreams of and to not be so hard on herself. Consistency will always pay off.

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?

I’m Olivia Wong, originally from New Orleans, a city known for its rich food and music scene. Growing up there instilled in me a deep appreciation for art and culture. I moved to LA to launch my career in the entertainment industry while finishing my college degree. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, I graduated with a BFA in Commercial Dance with a concentration in Acting in 2020.

Throughout my career, I’ve had amazing opportunities to dance for artists like Becky G, JLO, Nicki Minaj, Christina Aguilera, Justin Bieber, and Black Eyed Peas, among others. I’ve also worked in modeling and dance campaigns for major brands such as Nike, Smartwater, Champion, and American Eagle. My presence on social media has even landed me a spot as one of Cosmopolitan’s “buzziest dance stars” in a magazine and online feature.

I used to describe myself simply as a dancer when asked about my profession, but I’ve come to realize I’m much more than that. Above all, I consider myself a creative. Anything involving expression and connection brings me immense pride. I’ve had the pleasure of choreographing and movement directing for artists, performing in volume capture and motion capture work at the Netflix FX studio, styling other dancers for headshots, and even working behind the table and putting together castings sheets, teams and being the bridge for others to connect in the work space. I find myself really enjoying the workflow of that and taking on bigger responsibilities. I feel like that clicked in for me when I first stepped into the role of dance captain for Becky G’s camp a few years ago. I have learned so much about myself and working with others during my time with her. She has created such a synergy amongst her team that it only wants to make me show up as the best version of myself not only for me, but for the whole team truly. I am the most proud of myself for the journey I’ve had in her camp where I learned a lot about teamwork and personal growth. . I started out in 2019 as just an extra dancer brought in for the Latin AMAS which led to being recruited for her spot date tour. That was just the start of the path I’m currently on. Growing with a team and remaining loyal has been a source of beauty in my career. Becky and her team have always been a priority for me, recognizing my potential early on, which I deeply appreciate. While some dancers chase big names from job to job, I’ve found greater value in nurturing where I’m planted. This year I had the incredible opportunity to movement direct Becky for her new single “MERCEDES” and also coordinate all on camera talent movement and casting. Working with phenomenal dancers and connecting lead male talent Danny Ramirez with production was a highlight. I’m grateful for Becky’s trust in me for this role.

Looking ahead, I aim to further develop my skills and embrace new challenges. I refuse to stay confined; life is too dynamic to remain stagnant. As long as I’m physically and mentally capable, I’ll continue to share and grow on this journey.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Navigating through the various stages of my social media journey has been both exciting and challenging. It’s natural to feel hesitant about putting myself out there, but I’ve learned that self-doubt can hold me back if I let it. Instead, I’ve chosen to embrace each phase of my journey and focus on personal growth along the way. I felt people start to invest in my growth and journey because I become courageous enough to share it. Over time, you start to build real relationships and exchanges with people on your platform.

To optimize my channel effectively, I started by identifying my niche. What sets me apart? More importantly, I’ve considered what value I can offer my audience. Whether it’s sharing informational tips, educational insights, inspirational stories, or entertaining content, I strive to consistently add value to my viewers’ lives.

Developing daily habits has been crucial in maintaining engagement. It’s not just about following trends; I aim to stay ahead of the curve by creating unique and relatable content. This involves exploring new ideas and carving out fresh perspectives that resonate with my audience.

By embracing my journey, overcoming self-doubt, and consistently adding value through unique and engaging content, I’ve been able to effectively build and grow my social media presence.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Supporting us artists and creatives involves a few key things:

It’s crucial that society sees the value in what we do. Art isn’t just a hobby—it’s a vital part of culture. We need funding and grants to keep creating without stressing about money. Whether it’s through government support, crowdfunding, or sponsorships, every bit helps. Having affordable studio spaces, equipment, and materials is huge. It frees us up to focus on our craft instead of worrying about logistics. Starting young with arts education is vital. And ongoing workshops and skill-building opportunities keep us growing professionally. Showcasing our work locally and beyond is key. This article for instance is a great way to get the word out about up and coming creatives. More platforms and events mean more chances for us to get our art out there. Fair copyright laws and legal support are also crucial. They protect our work and ensure we get credit for what we create.

With the instability free lance work brings out here comes the battle of mental strength. Mental health is a big deal for us. Access to affordable healthcare and counseling tailored to artists’ needs is super important. More artists should offer therapy to their dancers on tours. Being part of a supportive creative community is everything. It’s where we collaborate, share ideas, and lift each other up. Let’s push for policies that prioritize the arts. It’s about making sure the arts are seen as essential, not just nice to have. The more people engage with our art—whether it’s at exhibitions, performances, or online—the stronger our impact.

By focusing on these areas, society can create an environment where artists and creatives can thrive and keep making a difference in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hoo.be/oliviawong21?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYG8CKfBSaqd3Q-gc6WgqQmKMCvg8RlL_Az_SCdjnYe-H4qxNV_mVDW0Cg_aem_RtXLaTdKhQfj8OrDZ5fp5Q
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviawong21/?utm_source=hoobe&utm_medium=social
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@oliviawong21?utm_source=hoobe&utm_medium=social

Image Credits

Main photo: Joseph Pratt

8 extras:
fire photo- Still from Mercedes music video
brown blue hat photo- Joaquin Siezar
yellow dress- Hector Flores
group dancer photo- Eddie Rodriguez
purple stage photo- Ryze Art
red box- jaime Garcia