Jaja Vankova- Living the American Dream
Jaja Vankova is a well-known female dancer, member of IaMmE Crew, aka the winners of America's Best Dance Crew Season 6. She left her home country to pursue her dream of becoming a great dancer and she managed to develop a career out of her passion. She never stops evolving, growing and becoming even more creative.
One of your most recent accomplishments is taking on the So You Think You Can Dance journey. How do you feel about it? Did it contribute in any way to make you grow as a dancer or as an individual?
It was the hardest show I have ever did. It was a challenge and it made me a better person in some way. It was definitely a crazy journey. People can not see the reality of this show from the screen. It made me grow as an individual but not as a dancer.
Since America's Best Dance Crew, we've seen you constantly trying new things, different styles of dancing, collaborations, and unseen before concepts. Do you ever think about just sticking with one style and focusing just on it? Or do you still feel the need to explore as much as you can?
I never think about sticking only with one style, because I feel like there is so much more I can do and learn even if i will be 50 years old.
At your age, having such an impressive career is very rare and amazing. Out of everything that you've done, which is the most meaningful thing to you?
I think the most meaningful thing for me is to improve and progress every day. Without my progress I wouldn't be doing all the amazing things in my life. I know there are lots of dancers out there that book a world tour with an artist and they feel like their life is complete and they don't need to practice anymore. But for me, a big success makes me work even harder because there are lots of eyes on me at that moment and i never want to fail. But I'm still working for the most meaningful thing.
How would your life look now, if you hadn't moved to the USA?
I would be bored at a college for lawyers.
If you would be given the opportunity to share the stage with your favorite artist, who would he/she be?
Eminem.
Is there any country besides America and the Czech Republic that you would totally live in? Or, which one would you most like to visit?
I have visited about 24 countries, but the one I never visited yet and I want to visit the most is Japan.
Does LA feel like home? Are you fully accommodated to the American lifestyle?
No, I'm not fully accommodated in USA, but I know this is my future home so I work hard for it.
How was it when you first went there, did you find major difficulties in communicating with people?
I did not speak English for the first 6 months I was here, so yeah, it was difficult.
Is acting something you see yourself exploring in the future?
No.
What about an official website?
Yeah I would want one, but there is no money for it now.
How do you feel about having so many young people looking up to you, from all over the world?
I feel I have a big responsobility to do the right thing and inspire them the right way. But I'm blessed and thankful to have so many people looking up to me, I hope it will continue that way. I will work hard for it.
Jaja Vankova 10 years from now?
I want to be happy, have a steady career, loving husband and children for sure!
-Anamaria E. Dan
