OOOPSY SOLUTION

What is the story behind your stage name?

My talent for improvisation earned me this stage name. Whatever the situation, I always find a solution. An unexpected event, a moment that goes off track, I adapt, improvise, and land on my feet. And you will not notice a thing. That is exactly why I am called Ooopsy Solution.

What is your story with dance?

I am originally from Sydney, Australia. I initially started dancing to follow in the footsteps of my brothers and sisters. That very first class was enough to spark a passion. I explored everything: ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, and hip-hop. At fourteen, I decided to focus entirely on ballet for three years before moving into contemporary dance. A year later, I joined Sydney Dance Company, one of Australia’s most prestigious contemporary dance companies. I stayed there for seven years, touring all over the world. During a trip to Paris, a colleague suggested that we go and see the Crazy Horse Paris show. Within the first few minutes, I knew I wanted to join the company. The idea quietly grew inside me for two years. Then, when I decided to leave contemporary dance, some friends sent me an announcement for an audition in Paris. I had never danced in heels. I had no cabaret experience. I booked a flight from Sydney and left with a friend’s high-heeled shoes in my bag.

It was surreal to find myself at Crazy Horse Paris the very next day. I felt slightly disoriented, but as soon as I stepped onto the stage, all my doubts disappeared. I performed my one-minute improvisation and returned to Australia, telling myself that the journey had been worth it, whatever the outcome. It was probably one of the craziest things I have ever done, but I am so happy I did it, because I am here today!

What kind of woman are you when you dance on the Crazy Horse Paris stage?

An energetic and precise woman who is highly aware of everything around her. On stage, I connect with the music, the other dancers, and the space and I love being able to play with all of those elements. I am a perfectionist when it comes to detail, but spontaneous in my interpretation, because I have a passionate personality and place great importance on authenticity.

What did you discover about yourself when you became a Crazy Horse Paris dancer?

I discovered that feeling what you are doing is more important than doing it perfectly. I have always been disciplined, precise, and attentive to detail. Here, I was reminded that technique is only a foundation and that I needed to find my own way of inhabiting the movement. What moves people is not the movement itself, but what the dancer expresses through it.

What do you want to convey to the audience when you dance on the Crazy Horse Paris stage?

Joy. I want the audience to see that I am happy to be there and that I am having fun, because that energy is contagious. We are there to share a sparkling, festive moment.

How would you define femininity?

To me, femininity is a completely natural sensuality. It is tactile and connected to others, without trying to convince anyone. I would define it as an authentic and sensual presence.

What attracts you so much to this profession?

I love feeling energy move through my body. I am addicted to movement and always need to be moving. I dance simply because it is what makes me happy.

In your opinion, what has created the magic of Crazy Horse Paris for the past seventy-five years?

The first time I saw the show, I was so captivated by the aesthetics and swept away by the festive atmosphere that I did not even notice the dancers’ nudity. Yet I am Australian, and we tend to be fairly modest, but here it represented freedom and artistic expression and was never vulgar. It is impossible to imagine the Crazy Horse Paris effect before seeing the show. People often enter the theatre with a preconceived idea and leave with a completely different mindset, shaped by the Crazy Horse Paris vision of femininity and sensuality.

Do you have a ritual before going on stage?

I have a little elephant that has accompanied me since my very first tour with Sydney Dance Company. I found it lying on the ground and was about to pick it up when a friend stopped me. She said, “Wait! If its trunk is pointing down, do not take it, it brings bad luck. But if its trunk is pointing towards the sky, then it is a lucky charm!” This one was a lucky charm, so I picked it up, and it followed me on tours all over the world. When I was packing my things for Paris, I found it at the bottom of a bag. I had not seen it for two years; it simply reappeared at exactly the right moment. So I brought it with me, and it is by my side before every show at Crazy Horse Paris.

Which act in The Dubai Edition amazes you the most?

Attitude moves me because of its pure beauty. I particularly love the lines, the music, and the movements, which evoke contemporary dance and contrast with the rest of the show. I also love Scanner, but for a different reason: it is an act that leaves room for improvisation, where every evening can be different. Between absolute precision and complete freedom, it represents exactly the balance I love.