A handful of months back I was interviewed by a girl crush of mine, @chlobrud of www.chloeincapslock.com. I wanted to share this because I speak a lot on the industry and my experience in Los Angeles. Would love for you to take a look! After, head over to her blog and read every CAPS LOCK lady's story. Everyone has something different to share and each story is so inspiring! Also, HAPPY NATIONAL WOMENS EQUALITY DAY! I got all the love in the world for the gals in my life! Let's keep on working hard and making bacon. xo

I am so excited about this interview.

Jorgen Makena is an amazing dancer from Utah, who now lives in LA. We bonded on instagram over our devotion to Justin Bieber and our girl boss attitudes. Not only is she a killer dancer, but she's a killer person. Her ambition is contagious, and I love her attitude about everything. She is so sweet, and also hilarious. I kind of, wait, definitely, wish she was my older sister.

*Spoiler Alert: She has excellent taste in sugar cookies and Canadian pop stars. She gives really good advice, is super passionate, and will make you want to get off your bum and get stuff done.

C: How did you discover your passion for dancing?

"As cliché as this sounds, my mom put me in class as soon as I could walk and I haven’t stopped since. I love to entertain; even when I was little I always wanted all eyes on me. I have always been a diva in that sense. I would say that my passion is entertaining, dancing was just my outlet to do so growing up. Whether it be dancing or acting if I can capture your attention and make you feel something that is what brings me the most joy."

C: So you're from Utah, but you live in LA. When did you move, and why?

"(For any dancers who competed at NYCDA, you’ll remember this) Joe Lanteri is the executive director of a competition/convention that I grew up dancing at. Each year at this event since I was 7 years old he would give the same speech to all the dancers. It went a little something like this “How many of you want to dance in New York?” *hands would go up* “How many of you want to dance in LA?” *hands would go up, my hand would shoot straight up with confidence every single year* “How many of you don’t care where you are, as long as you are dancing?” It’s a speech that I will never forget, because each year he would ask those questions, my answer stayed definite. LA was where I wanted to be and the right place to go for my goals. I worked really hard in high school so that I could get out to Los Angeles as soon as possible. I graduated early from high school as a Junior and moved out here a month later. I was only seventeen! I’m coming up on being here now for 3 ½ years."

C: I have to add, do you miss Utah? I feel like if I moved away the only things I would miss are my family and Cafe Rio. And maybe cheap rent.

"You honestly hit the nail right on the head. Those three things are absolutely what I miss most. FOR
SURE. How did you know?! Also, Swig and Cutler’s. Both of their sugar cookies are my jam y’all."

C: How do you get dancing jobs? Through an agency?

"Yes! I’m signed with an agency, Clear Talent Group, and I am so grateful to all the hard work that they do for me! I signed with them in the spring before moving out here. The transition from Utah to LA life was really smooth thanks to them. I had my first audition within a week of being out here. They send me audition breakdowns for jobs that will best suit me and then from there it is my responsibility to go in and do my best to book that job."

C: What do you do in your spare time? Do you date a lot?

"This is one of the best parts of LA, there is so much to do! There are a million different restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques to go to. There is always somewhere and something new to try. I love eating, so I spend a lot of my free time out to dinner with friends. A few of my LA favorites are Joan’s on Third, cutest gourmet marketplace/café; Perch, which is a beautiful rooftop dine in Downtown LA; Sidecar Donuts, THE BEST DONUT EXPERIENCE YOU’LL HAVE IN YOUR LIFE, and The Kitchen, it’s the best hole in the wall spot with my favorite comfort food dish. Go and you can thank me later. I also watch a lot of basketball; it was what was always on our TV growing up so it’s soothing for me, makes me feel like I’m home. Basketball and Chill. As for dating, that could be a whole interview in itself, haha. I’ve had a couple flings that have fizzled after a few months and I’ve had an easy time with meeting and “talking” to guys but since moving out here nothing has held any longevity. Having a career path that holds so much uncertainty, dating can be another unstable thing to try and find balance in. Dating is hard! I say that I’d love to have a boyfriend right now, I most definitely am I relationship kinda gal, no shame in that, but I am really happy being independent and on my own as of now. I’m busy doing me right now and it feels bomb. It is something that I strongly believe every 20-something girl should do: take time to love yourself, spoil yourself and build for yourself. It will help to create a strong sense of self-worth and it will also build you into a better partner for future relationships."

C: How does it make you feel when people don't think of dancing as a sport?

"It doesn’t bother me as much as it did when I was younger. Growing up in a very athletically driven family, I always wanted to prove that I was just as athletic and sporty as my siblings. Now, I don’t really mind what others think of it, to me it is a sport as much as it is an art. Not only is it athletic but it’s also creative. It is something special; it is it’s own breed."

C: What are your goals for your dancing career in the future? What is your ultimate dream job?

"It is the scariest thing to say or write for others to see/hear what your biggest goal is but here I am with butterflies in my stomach about to write it out. My biggest career goal is to be the lead role of a motion picture dance film. That is the dream. Think Julianne Hough in Footloose, Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing, Jenna Dewan in Step Up, or Amanda Schull in Center Stage."

*takes a deep breath, because that was scary writing that down…AHH!*

C: I can tell just by following you on social media that you're a feminist, and that you're hard working and ambitious. (Side note: you are also hilarious and I love your style).
But how do these beliefs and attitudes help you in your career and everyday life?

"Absolutely I am! I have always believed “why not me?” I am also grateful to my parents who encouraged me to go for what I want, work hard and make it happen for myself. They gave me the confidence I have today. I want to be able to look back and say, “I did that, I am where I am today, because of all I did and overcame to be here.” Of course, there are and will be people to thank for helping me along my way, but I am fiercely independent and I want to know I did it by myself. I would say believing that ‘I am capable’ is my backbone everyday. It is a constant hustle out here. You have to be your own boss, write down weekly, monthly, and yearly goals, set your own deadlines and kick your own ass to get up and make shit happen everyday. Being completely honest, it is hard and it sucks and sometimes I suck at it but whenever I feel like I’m not killing it, I acknowledge that and I regroup. For those that know me well, I say “Okay, I need to get my life together” at least twenty times a day. But that’s the key, constantly getting it together, constantly hustling and consistently regrouping with myself. Having the belief that “I can” and the attitude that “I will” is what has gotten me where I am now, and so I know it is what will take me to where I want to be."

C: I know people often think of dancing as a girl’s world. But do you ever experience sexism in the industry? Is it competitive?

"Yes and no, I could argue both sides of that question. It’s necessary in the industry unlike other job fields where I don’t believe it to be okay. There is a part of auditions and castings that no matter how good of a performer you are, you will be cut based on your “type”. Sometimes it works in your favor, other times it does not. For instance, Taylor Swift is 5’10 and blonde and I am 5’5 and blonde. For those reasons chances are very slim that I will ever work next to her. Another instance, on her last tour “1989” she only auditioned and hired male dancers. Each job is not only looking for talent but also for specific looks, height, hair color, ethnicity, and/or sex. Many times they are searching for a variety of looks. So no, there is not equal opportunity within each gig, but there is equal opportunity for everyone because each job is looking for something different.

It is an extremely competitive career. The best advice I can give is to always remind yourself, why you are doing it and what is your edge. Everyone is special and has something unique to offer so you just have to keep reminding yourself what it is that you bring to the table. There will come a time, that one specific audition, where what you have, that special thing about you, will be exactly what they are looking for. Always stay true to who you are!"

C: If you could give 10 year old Jorgen advice, what would it be?

"I would tell her to learn to work without fear and that failure IS success. Growing up I was a hard worker, I never slacked or was lazy but I didn’t do more than I needed to either. Looking back I wish that I had worked harder for some specific goals that I had then. I had this fear that if I worked the hardest I possibly could towards a certain goal, put absolutely every part of me into it, but didn’t reach that goal, then that would be failure. So I did just what was necessary to get by but not get disappointed if I didn’t get it. Still to this day this it’s something 21-year-old Jorgen is working on. Failure is incredible, it means you’re trying and going for it. Success is built on failures. I fail out here more than I succeed, but it is the failures that have taught me the most about myself."

“Failure is a much more faithful teacher than immediate success” – David Duchemin

C: Tell us about the woman who inspires you the most.

"My mom, hands down. There isn’t a woman I am more inspired by. What I admire the most is her ability to be vulnerable. My mom loves without condition, not only within our family but also with every kid who walks through her door. She is a guidance counselor at my high school and I can’t begin to tell you how many kids have told me they wouldn’t be where they are at without my mom. Her love is specific and so strong for each individual. She is raw, real and unfiltered and I know that is why people are drawn to her. She will tell you like it is, and you’ll respect her honesty (although you might be crying haha). She’s also unfiltered when it comes to humor and she can make anyone feel comfortable and at ease when around her. She is an open communicator, no subject is off limits; she is willing to grow and to learn. She is authentic to herself and won’t pretend to be something she isn’t. She is true to what she feels and thinks. She owns every triumph and every struggle. She is strong and bold. I believe being vulnerable is the strongest attribute you can have; she is the epitome of that. She is exactly who she is and I admire the hell out of her."

I have read this interview so many times. Wise words from strong women are my bible, and Jorgen has me feeling like a missionary. I love what she has to say.
xx

Check out my awesome girl Chloe Bruderer on IG: @chlobrud and her bomb blog www.chloeincapslock.com.