When Justin “Ice-o” walks into a room, there’s no mistaking the calm, self-possessed presence he brings with him. Born and raised in the Bronx, the 37-year-old popper has turned what began as a playful wave with his cousin into a life of artistry, discipline, and unapologetic authenticity.

A Wave That Started It All

Ice-o formally stepped into the world of popping in 2013. But his bond with dance began much earlier — with a single wave. One day, his cousin casually performed the ripple-like arm movement, and it captivated him. They passed the wave back and forth, like a game, but the seed had been planted.

Soon after, Ice-o was scouring YouTube, teaching himself slides and glides. His first battle was a disaster — he had no preparation, no connections, no chance. But at that same event, he saw Monster Pop and Venom Pop perform: two tall, Black dancers, dressed like him, in hoodies and sneakers.

“That was the moment,” he recalls. “I realized popping didn’t have to be corny. It could be me.”

“I Don’t Dance Just for Social Reasons”

For Ice-o, dance is not just movement — it’s research. “A lot of people dance for social reasons — and I do too, sometimes. But more than anything, I dance because I want to be good.”

He breaks down patterns in music like equations, experiments with isolations in front of mirrors, and treats his practice like a scientist running tests. “Every time you dance, you’re doing physical research,” he explains. “It’s about min-maxing — refining your preferences and sharpening your skills.”

He goes to the gym before shows, before battles. “Taking care of my body makes my dance better,” he says. “Most people turn on their brain for dance only when others are watching. For me, it’s constant.” He records practice sessions, rewatches them, and picks apart every detail. He talks about dance like a scientist: using words like “muscle contraction” and “tension” to describe what others simply call “groove.”

Some tell him he “overthinks.” He disagrees. “Analyzing doesn’t kill the love — it makes me love it more.”

A Late Start, a Fierce Drive

Unlike many dancers who began formal training as kids, Ice-o didn’t commit to popping until the age of 25. Far from a disadvantage, he now sees it as a gift. “I chose dance when I was ready,” he reflects. “Because I was older, I took it hyper seriously. I never took weeks off. I also didn’t wreck my body doing reckless tricks at ten years old.”

His obsession bordered on superhuman. He recalls working a 6 a.m. shift, commuting hours into the city, battling until 2 a.m., then sleeping 30 minutes in his car before clocking in again. “People think it’s impossible,” he laughs. “But when you want it bad enough, you find a way.”

The Hard Part Wasn’t Dancing

For Ice-o, the hardest part of this life hasn’t been dancing — it’s the things around it.

“I thought being good would be enough. Work hard, train, you’ll get opportunities. That’s not true. Sometimes without network, without connections, you never even get in the door.”

So he forced himself to learn video editing, social media, and the business side of being an artist. “Those skills have nothing to do with dance — but if you want to survive through dance, you need them.”

Reconciling With Himself

Dance itself has never betrayed him. The frustrations came from politics, unfair battles, and people. But once he returns to a practice room, all of that fades.

“I’ve never felt tired of dance. If I’m frustrated, it’s because of people — never because of dance.”

Though he radiates composure today, Ice-o admits he struggled with confidence. The turning point came when he stopped relying on others for validation. “I don’t ask if my outfit looks good anymore,” he says. “I decide for myself.” Over time, he’s learned to build confidence internally, not through applause. “When people tell you you’re good, they’re using their own standards. My most important standard has to come from myself.”

This mindset even shapes how he navigates relationships and rejection. “If I don’t get an audition, it’s fine. I know who I am. I’ll keep working until the right door opens.”

“It All Begins in the Mind”

For Ice-o, dance is more than movement. It’s a discipline of life. He treats training like eating or sleeping: necessary, non-negotiable.

He has already performed with Passion Fruit Dance Company at Duke University, graced an Off-Broadway stage with his name on the marquee, and won battles against New York’s best. But he’s never complacent. “I always need the next thing,” he admits.

In a community full of uniforms and traditions, Ice-o insists on individuality. He doesn’t need costumes to validate his identity. His method is obsessive, solitary, even ascetic at times. But through it, he has built his own system.

“Dance isn’t about looking like someone else,” he says. “It’s about looking more like yourself.”

Advice to his younger self

His message to beginners — and perhaps to his younger self — is simple but profound: “Learn to love training. Make it part of your life the way eating is part of your life. Don’t wait for opportunities to prepare. Be ready, always.”

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