SANDY CASSECOU

What is the story behind your stage name?

Sandy evokes my blonde hair and the warm sandy beaches of Dubai, where I grew up. “Casse-cou” is a French expression used to describe someone who is not afraid of taking risks—someone adventurous, bold, and a little reckless. And I must admit, I love adrenaline!

What is your story with dance?

I was born in Dubai. My mother enrolled me in ballet classes when I was three because she understood before I did that I needed to dance. As soon as I heard music, my body would follow. I danced before I could walk…

When I was six, we moved to England, where I discovered other styles such as modern jazz and tap. At sixteen, I joined a musical theatre school to become a professional dancer. Ballet was my entire life, but I wanted to become as versatile a dancer as possible. I graduated at nineteen, and the contracts soon followed: cruise ships, cabaret in London, music videos, fashion shows… One day, a friend sent me an announcement for a Crazy Horse Paris audition. I did not really know the show, but several of my friends were applying, so I decided to try my luck. And here I am.

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

I discovered the power of restraint. Before Crazy Horse Paris, I worked in worlds where everything revolved around power, speed, and energy. Here, I learned that a single glance or a restrained movement could have far more impact than an entire choreography. It is another way of dancing, more subtle, and it has changed the way I perform on stage.

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

I often say that I am rich because I can dance. It is all I need in life. On stage, I share my passion with the audience. I hope to convey the idea that passion carries us beyond ourselves, nourishes us, and is an immense source of wealth. Beyond that, I would also like to express the idea that everyone should be free to become whoever they want to be, without anything or anyone standing in the way of that freedom.

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

I think it all begins with the way Crazy Horse Paris sees women. It knows how to reveal potential that others have not yet perceived. It is not simply a question of physical appearance: it is a presence, a personality, a way of inhabiting the stage. In my opinion, this exacting approach to selecting dancers is what gives Crazy Horse Paris its uniqueness and longevity.

Do you think a Crazy Horse Paris dancer is a woman like any other?

Being a Crazy Horse Paris dancer is first and foremost a state of mind: trusting yourself and allowing yourself to be fully who you are. Seen from that perspective, every woman could be a Crazy Horse Paris dancer.

Do you have a ritual before going on stage?

Before going on stage, I like to share a playful handshake with another dancer. For us, it is a way of reminding ourselves that we are there to have fun and to offer the audience a joyful, festive moment. Then I take a deep breath just before the curtain opens… and off we go! I want the audience to be left speechless, with their eyes fixed on the stage!

Which female icons inspire you?

Shirley Temple. When I was little, I watched her films hundreds of times. She danced, sang, and acted with a presence that fascinated me. I wanted to be her. I think that sense of childhood wonder has remained within me and still resurfaces today whenever I step onto the stage.

Can you tell us about the act Vestal’s Desire, which you were assigned to in the show The Dubai Edition?

In Vestal’s Desire, the dancer must remain almost completely still, with her feet firmly grounded, while making her body undulate until she creates a hypnotic vision for the audience. Her face must remain expressionless; movement reigns supreme in this act. It is extremely demanding and absolutely fascinating.