HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS - ISAAC TUALAULELEI

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Oh my lol. Struggles. Yes, I definitely struggled growing up individually but more so as a family. Not with each other as a family but together we struggled and fought through so much. With Papa passing and a lot going on in our family, it was around 1996-1997 that my family was homeless. We didn't have a place to call our own and so we were staying with everyone and in any available establishment. I mean everything from our Uncle's house, motels, cousin's couches, motels again, Homeless shelters, you name it. This made it difficulty to focus on one thing or even have a sense of settlement. I remember feeling like it was never going to end. It even got to the point where there were about 17 of us living out of a one bedroom/one bathroom apartment. Crazy right? As ridiculous as it sounds, you never really felt the cramped space because it became more of check in space for all of us to shower, eat or get clothes.

I always discuss with my sister Chariese about how we should have ended up loose, on the streets or in jail had we let our situation dictate our lives. Reflecting on these moments always hits a sore spot for me but going back to what I shared earlier, I am thankful for the foundation and prayers of my Grandparents. I questioned a lot growing up, witnessing "normal" families with both parents, nice homes and money that made it seem like everything was peachy keen. As a child and eventually teenager going through life, I was going through a lot trying to keep balance of everything that was set in front of me as well as trying to dream. Looking left and right, knowing that regardless of where we laid our head down, seeing my siblings together still trying was enough to make me keep going. It was rough indeed but these times define the bond that I share with my loved ones.

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Can you share a bit about your journey to becoming a choreographer & dancer?

The Journey began with just My Nana and I in the living room of my Uncle Pule and Aunty Kaye's home. She loved to dance and was very good at it. I remember sitting there watching her mimic Michael Jackson, Mc Hammer and Janet Jackson to name a few. That living room became my first dance studio. I was 4 years old, warping my Aunty Kaye's tape trying to copy Michael's "Bad" and Janet's "Pleasure Principle." This seed would eventually lead down a path of self discovery within my movement. Anything that was dance related, I was a part of. My first big break was when I was attending Tyee High School and my dance group was selected to perform at the "Showtime at the Apollo" Tour in Seattle. We were young, on fire and ready for the world. I remember crying when I got outside to my family because we didn't win lol. In that moment. the world was over haha. 

After getting a taste of the stage and feeling a live audience, that fueled my dance passion.  I went on to train under Maxie Jamal & Alvedo Alexander at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center for the Teen Summer Musical 2003, joined Boogiezone Breed Seattle and studied under Seattle's legend Daniel Cruz in Cruz Control.  I also started my own dance group with my best friends Ethan & Charlene, Point Blank.  We even created Seattle's very own Polynesian based hip hop dance group "BROWN".  This was the perfect formula for me at the time because I was able to train with a variety of different feels and create on the side.  This combination of creative outlets inspired, sharpened and molded me into the dancer that eventually moved to LA to chase the dream in 2008.

Did you experience any prejudice or struggles trying to break into being a choreographer & dancer? 

I remember not being called on certain auditions due to image and feeling a certain type of way. Los Angeles is no joke. It has a system that says what it requires but not too often does it display what it doesn't want. That is a lesson I learned while navigating my way through the industry to get where I am today. Early on in my dance career, I used to look passed the requirements and crash auditions. In my mind I figured that as long as I went in and performed the choreography at my best, that would give them an impression of me. Some wouldn't support this mentality, but when all you have is the hope of booking a job for money, trust me when I say I didn't really have a choice. 

There was this one time on set where wardrobe didn't have the right pants for me so I had to wear red dickies shorts as a "Cheerleading" Uniform. I remember crying over that situation and now I'm laughing at myself as well because of how foolish that reaction was lol. Gratefully, the industry did show me some love and I ended up falling in line with some loyal choreographers/dancers/friends that helped keep me going from job to job based on my gift.

Has your parents/family been accepting of your career path?

I can honestly say that my parents are very accepting of what I do. In their own way, growing my parents always wanted us to do what it is we wanted to do. There was a space of freedom within dreaming when it came to my family. My Mother is my Number One fan and always supportive of what I do. She will crack the whip when necessary but always have an open ear to what I have going on in my life as an artist. She has been there for it all. I've called her crying with Joy but also called her crying out of pain. She is never too far to lend her ear and shoulder. 

My Father is supportive as well. He isn't a man of many words but he says just enough to reassure me that I have his support. He has always been there for us growing up and even helped me keep my rent on track when I first moved to LA. After booking Janet, My Dad told my sisters that I get my moves from him. I guess the secret is out now haha.

What would you say was your big break in the dance/choreography world?

This is an interesting question because I feel like every job I have done adds to the growth within my career. If I had to pick, I would say "Hannah Montana: The Movie" and "Bring It On: Fight To The Finish" first. Hannah Montana was my first official paid dance job and Bring It on followed. I remember booking these two movies back to back. I think this sent a message out to my family and everyone that witnessed my come up, letting them know that I was actually about my word and chasing my dreams! These two movies put my face on the big screen for the world to see and shortly after that, America's Best Dance Crew Season 5 gave me a voice on national television. These 3 dance jobs are definitely staples within my career. 

You recently danced with Janet Jackson at the Billboard Music Awards - how did you get that gig and how was the whole experience? 

I was sitting in my sister's house in Federal Way, Washington and I saw the #DanceWithJanet promo she shared on Instagram. I remember getting a "Now or Never" feeling while watching the post on repeat a few times. I emailed my agent (Go 2 Talent Agency) immediately asking if they had heard anything yet. When the date was finally released, I made it a point to figure out what needed to take place for me to be down there for this audition. I posted a video on my Instagram to be present within the #DanceWithJanet online contest and then started planning for the trip down. I actually didn't get my ticket for the audition until the night before around 12am and my flight was at 7am. So with no sleep, I stayed up packing and keeping busy so I didn't miss my alarm. My flight took me to Phoenix, Arizona for an hour layover which finally brought me to LA around 11am. I went straight from the airport to the audition with no sleep and stood in line. 9 hours late, I managed to make it past the first round and then through the callbacks the next day. I recall feeling good about my audition and kind of left everything else up to God.

It wasn't until the night of Mother's day that I received an email from my Agent asking if I was available to perform at Billboard Music Awards with Janet. In that moment, it all came together. I sat there crying at the dinner table with my family right before we did prayer for our dinner. It all sped up from there. I had two days to get to LA for rehearsals for Janet Jackson! The rehearsal process was amazing. Hard work, but amazing. Janet is the sweetest ever and even went as far as memorizing all 36 or our names! That says a lot about her character and care for us as artists. I remember being caught in between "Oh my gosh I'm dancing for Janet" and "I deserve to be here." It was an interesting divide mentally, but as the days progressed I found the beauty within the contrast of these two things. I was okay with feeling because I knew the 4 year old in me was so excited to be there while the current me felt deserving of the job. She received the ICON award that evening and made the experience feel no less for all of us on stage with her. 

Check out Isaac dancing for Janet at the BBMA's here

What artist would you love to get the chance to dance/choreograph with or for?