JBlaze Gets Personal With Rich Girl

Johnny “JBlaze” Erasme (Dancer, Choreographer, Entertainer, and Rap Artist) is currently seen dancing with Justin Bieber for the past 2 years throughout the “My World 2.0” and “Believe” Tours.  Erasme began his professional career since the age of 9.  After moving from Miami to Los Angeles at the young age of 13, he has danced on such films as Dream Girls, Wild Child, Prom Night, and Making A Dream.  He’s been a series regular on Nickelodeon’s Dance on Sunset, and Disney’s Shake It Up. He has performed with notable celebrities such as Usher, Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks, Sade, Robin Thicke, Ellie Goulding, among others.  Erasme was also featured in Justin Bieber’s “Believe” Film launched last Christmas.  Whenever he breaks from any tour, he still fits sold-out workshops in his schedule catching the attention of dancers around the world.  Rich Girl, got a chance to talk with Johnny up close and personal.

RG- What is the inspiration behind your dance?

JBlaze- To make folks happy, you know I just want to bring positive energy to their lives.

RG- At what age did you start dancing?

JBlaze- I was around 3 years old and would watch  Michael Jackson dance and try to copy his moves. So my parents were very supportive early on and around  the age of 9 they put me in a dance class.

RG-Did you take formal dance training?

JBlaze- Yes, I took Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop.

RG- You have traveled all over the world, do other cultures influence your dance style?

JBlaze- Yes, I  look at dances from all the countries I have traveled, Brazil, Africa, Asia and try to reflect influences from those cultures into my routines.  I remember watching some kids on the streets of South Africa and they moved so organically to the music, it was  such a natural part of who they were.

RG- Well, looking at how you dance I recognized a very African flavor to some of your moves. Do you attribute that to your Haitian heritage?

JBlaze- I think it’s possible to have the DNA of my ancestors. I guess the dance gene is imbedded in my soul.

RG- You mentioned how supportive your parents are, so what have you  learned from them?

JBlaze-My parents are amazing, they have been married for twenty five years so the number thing I learned from them is loyalty. It’s so wonderful my dad still calls my mom, babe.

RG-Now besides your dance career you have also started a clothing line. What was the inspiration for the line?

JBlaze-I wanted a clothing line that represented me yet had individual style.  My line is called Monkey See Monkey Do (M$MD). I wanted my logo to have meaning, so in my design it was all about being classy and successful.  Again with the line it’s all about envisioning loyalty, power and class.

RG-You also do dance workshops, what do you hope to accomplish with these workshops besides teaching folks how to dance?

JBlaze-I want people to be inspired through dance, not just knowing the moves, but using dance to spread love and positivity.

RG-What advice would you give to young people?

JBlaze-Do what you love and stay focused, take classes, whether you want to be an actor, singer or dancer, get trained and never give up.

RG-When you  are no longer here, what do you want people to say about you?

JBlaze- That I was a nice guy, spreading positive energy and love.

RG-You have an active lifestyle, so how do you stay fit and healthy?

JBlaze- Discipline ! First off I  stretch everyday, that’s really important.  Then I try to eat as healthy as I can and I don’t deprive myself of the things I like to eat. But everything has to be in moderation. And I drink lots of water.

RG: What is your mission statement?

JBlaze- Do everything with passion and love what you do.

Rich Girl thanks Johnny for taking time out of his busy schedule to chat and we look forward to catching up with this dynamic and enterprising young man on his many adventures.

Johnny’s Upcoming Dance Workshops in 2014:

April 18-21, 2014 /East Dance Camp, UK

May 1-4, 2014/ American Spring Camp, Italy