3 minute read
Auti Angel
Q. Thanks for interviewing with us. Tell everyone who you are and what you do?
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A. Hello My Name is Auti Angel and I am a professional dancer who happens to be paralyzed from the waist down. Basically, you can say that I was Jlo before Jlo until a hit and run car accident in 1992 left me paralyzed instantly. I couldn’t shake this spirit of a dancer, so I adapted my wheelchair into a prop and pioneered wheelchair hiphop.
Q. What made you want to be a professional dancer?
A. I remember watching Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson music videos and live performances that would fuel the dancer living within. It was as if it was calling to me. I remember the feeling of freedom I would get anytime I danced anywhere and knew this is what I was called to do.
Q. I know you had a life threating accident that left you paralyzed but what motivated you to keep going?
A. It was the life after death experience that gave me the comfort of knowing everything was going to be ok regardless of the devastation my body endured. the accident may have paralyzed me physically, but it couldn’t destroy the spirit of dance that lived within.
Q. Tell us about your experience being on “Push Girls” and “Musical Chairs”?
A. Push Girls is a reality show based on the lives of 4 of my best friends and myself. Showing another perspective on life and people living with a disability. Musical Chairs is a Film, aired on HBO, where I costarred in that was about a dancer who became paralyzed yet finds her way back to wheelchair ballroom dancing. I remember reading the script and thinking wow this is so close to my own life.
Q. What has been one of your memorable experiences in this industry?
A. I would have to say Dancing on Tour with Eazy E and NWA before my accident and then dancing on the Vibe Music Awards with Ludacris while dancing in my wheelchair.
Q. I see you are the Creator of wheelchair Hip Hop dance can you give us more details on these classes?
A. I created Wheelchair Hip Hop from my history as a professional Hip Hop Dancer prior to my accident. I simply adapted the moves to work from a wheelchair. Now I teach My Master class and Workshops around the world to both Able-bodied and the Disabled.
Q. Can you give any advice to people that wants to give up on life?
A. Trust God’s Process in life... no matter what your beliefs are. God will always see you through no matter what. No matter what obstacles come your way, they are always overcome able.
Q. Where do you see yourself in the next 3 years?
A. I see myself as the next Oprah.
Q. Can you tell us who has been your biggest supporters with everything you have been through in life?
A. God has been the rock of my foundation. and the Scripture Roman’s 8:18 has gotten me through all my challenges.
Q. What is the next big thing for you are thereany events or projects you working on for 2021?
A. I am working on writing my memoir and a screenplay based on my life’s story. I am also working on some new music with a few people. So, 2021 is going to be quite productive for me.
Q. Where can the readers follow you?
A. Everyone can either go to my website AUTIANGEL.COM or follow me @AUTIANGEL on all social media platforms.
