November 26, 2023

2 - Alex Wong: "From Ballet Dancer to TV & Tik Tok Star"

24 minutes

Episode Summary:

Host Menina Fortunato talks with Alex Wong about his evolution from tap to ballet to a standout on "So You Think You Can Dance." Alex recounts his reluctant start in ballet, his win at the Prix de Lausanne competition, and his tenure with prestigious ballet companies. The discussion also covers his successful pivot to TikTok during the pandemic, contrasting his traditional dance roles with the more profitable social media sphere. The episode concludes by exploring the broadening avenues for dancers in the digital era, with Alex's story providing both inspiration and actionable insights.

Show Notes:

00:01:42 - Introduction to Alex Wong

00:02:40 - Alex's Early Dance Journey

00:07:47 - Social Media Connections

00:13:54 - Social Media and Dance Agencies

00:16:10 - Advice for Dancers

00:20:53 - Building Relationships in the Dance Industry

00:22:35 - Training and Work Balance

Biography:

Alex Wong began his dance journey at the tender age of 7, with his training encompassing various styles, including tap and jazz. By the age of 10, he was honing his ballet skills at the renowned Goh Ballet Academy in Vancouver, Canada. His prowess in ballet was further recognized when he became the first Canadian to win the prestigious Prix de Lausanne competition in Switzerland in 2004.

Alex briefly danced with the American Ballet Theatre before joining the Miami City Ballet. By 2007, he had been promoted to the rank of soloist at MCB. His repertoire is vast, having performed leading roles in renowned productions such as Balanchine’s Symphony In Three Movements, Twyla Tharp’s Push Comes to Shove, and many more.

In 2009, Alex's journey took an exciting turn when he auditioned for the FOX dance series, "So You Think You Can Dance." Although he made it to the final Top 20, contractual obligations with the Miami City Ballet forced him to withdraw. However, his impressive audition led to a promotion to the rank of principal soloist at MCB. In 2010, he took another shot at SYTYCD and made it to the Top 10 contestants for season seven. Unfortunately, an injury during a rehearsal forced him out of the competition.

He has appeared on shows like "Glee," "Smash," "The Voice," and "Dancing with the Stars." He even made it to the semi-final Hollywood rounds of "American Idol." Alex's versatility is further highlighted by his dance single "Crave" and his role as Sniper in the Original Broadway Cast of "Newsies."

Connect on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/alexdwong

https://www.facebook.com/alexdwong

Official Website

https://www.thealexwong.com

...more