We were lucky to catch up with Rithiely Pereira Najera recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rithiely , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I’ve always felt that my life has been defined by taking risks. From my earliest memories, I’ve never really had a safety net. I knew early on what my passion was, yet I had no clear path on how to pursue it.

Choosing to focus solely on dance instead of continuing formal education was a leap of faith. Moving to London with just $2,000 in my pocket and no concrete plan was another gamble. After building and nurturing an eight-year career in London, I decided to start anew in Los Angeles—a decision that wasn’t taken lightly. Each choice carried a significant risk of both gain and loss.

This year, I embraced another major challenge: I left my agency to represent myself and even started my own management company. Each of these steps has shaped who I am, proving that while the path of risk is uncertain, it can also lead to extraordinary outcomes.

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 just a girl from São Paulo, Brazil, who fell in love with dance as soon as I could walk. From an early age, I was certain about my path in dance—nothing and no one could sway me. I’ve always been headstrong, following a plan that I believe is set for me by a higher power.

My adventure took a significant turn when I moved to Switzerland at age 10. Without friends and searching for something to fill my days, I joined a dance crew and was instantly hooked; dance became my life. My ultimate dream was to move to America and perform with the big stars. After nine years in Switzerland, where opportunities for a mixed-race, short girl like me were limited, I moved to London. Initially meant as a temporary stop, London became my home for eight years.

In London, I did whatever jobs I needed to—working in bars, restaurants, clubs, and doing promotional work—to support myself. Although my early years as a performer were challenging and my strong personality didn’t always fit in, I eventually established myself as one of the top dancers in the UK.

One persistent issue in the industry was the treatment and payment of dancers. Many complained but few acted. As an outspoken dancer, my stance often led to trouble, and at times, I was blacklisted by agencies. However, my commitment to excellence meant that I was missed in those rooms, and work eventually returned.

Along with a colleague, I founded the Dancers’ Network to improve conditions for dancers in the UK. We ran this organization for four years before I moved to LA and we decided to part ways. I’m immensely proud of the improvements we achieved for the next generation.

At 28, I took a significant risk by moving to LA, intent on elevating my career to the next level. This move brought me the opportunity to work with incredible artists such as Ariana Grande, Pharrell Williams, Shakira, The Weeknd, Selena Gomez, and Camila Cabello. Despite these high-profile collaborations, I quickly realized that the industry still did not adequately support dancers. I wasn’t feeling taken care of, and I knew I couldn’t be the only one feeling this way.

This realization sparked the founding of my management company, ChoCho Creative. Starting over in LA was a bold move, but it was necessary for growth and for bringing about the change I’ve always believed the dance community needs. At ChoCho Creative, we are dedicated to ensuring that dancers receive the recognition, support, and compensation they deserve. This new beginning has been both challenging and rewarding—I’m passionate about making a tangible difference in the lives of the artists I work with, providing them with the care and attention that I found lacking in my own experiences.

I’ve released an ebook, The Art of Money Moves, to help dancers save money and I host a weekly podcast, The Smart Dancer, where we discuss all aspects of being a professional dancer. Starting over has been thrilling—I relish the responsibility for my own career, love negotiating, and take great joy in securing what my clients rightfully deserve.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Absolutely, there are definitely resources I wish I had access to earlier, especially concerning financial literacy. This issue transcends industries, but it is particularly prevalent among artists. A deeper understanding of how to manage finances could empower artists with greater freedom to make informed choices in their careers.

Throughout my career, I’ve earned a substantial income, but I lacked the knowledge to save, invest, or spend wisely. Despite participating in countless tours, I sometimes found myself financially depleted afterwards. I also struggled with tasks like managing taxes and wasn’t aware of the potential benefits available to me, particularly in the U.S.

The lack of financial guidance is a common challenge for many young artists in America, who often enter the industry without knowing how to effectively navigate their finances. If I had been equipped with these financial skills earlier, it would have made a significant difference in my professional and personal life.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I understand how someone with a conventional job—one that is simply a means to an end—might find it difficult to grasp why someone would persist in a profession that seems to constantly knock them down. For creatives like me, our work is far more than just a job; it’s deeply intertwined with our identity and wellbeing.

Our craft is our healing, our expression, and our voice when we feel voiceless elsewhere. It brings us joy and fills our lives so completely that it’s not about just finding another job if things get tough. This passion consumes us; we wake up and go to sleep with it, and every action we take is aimed at refining and improving our skills. It’s hard to imagine life without it.

Even though I’ve often questioned why I continue, especially as I grow older and acknowledge the importance of a balanced life, the reality remains: as a dancer, there are many things out of my control. However, what I can always manage is how good, professional, and precise I am in my craft. Maintaining this high level of focus and dedication is essential to stay at the top, to be one of those dancers who consistently delivers exceptional performances.

For those starting out, this total immersion in the craft might encompass everything, and for some, it continues throughout their career. It’s a relentless pursuit of excellence that might be hard to understand for someone outside the creative fields.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rithiely.com
• Instagram: @rithielypereira
• Youtube: @thesmartdancer

Image Credits
ByRabon , Alissa Roseborough