Check out our interview with influencer and dancer Reese Hatala.
Reese is best known for being one of the troupe dancers on season one of “Dancing with Stars Juniors”. She is an influencer with over 330k followers on Instagram. Reese has been a guest on Ellen Degeneres, performed at the Kids Choice Awards and she has danced with Justin Bieber on his “Purpose World Tour”.
Follow Reese at @reeses_pieces77
Hi Reese, please tell us a little about you?
My name is Reese Hatala and I’m thirteen years old. I live in Canada but work as a professional dancer in Los Angeles.
I have danced on TV shows such as ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars Juniors”, NBC’s “The Ellen DeGeneres show” and NBC’s “World of Dance”.
I have performed with Justin Beiber and danced at the Kid’s Choice Awards and appeared in several Old Navy and H&M commercials.
I have worked as a social media Influencer with such brands as; Nike, Hasbro, Dunkin Donuts, Cheestrings, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Sunny D.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Funky, smiley and organized
Who is your biggest supporter?
My family is my biggest supporter! Without them I wouldn’t be able to pursue my dream to dance.
How’s a typical day in your life?
When I am home in Canada, a typical day is wake and go to public school until 3pm. Come home and do homework before I start my dance classes for the night. I dance 4 nights a week plus I take popping training sessions twice a week.
When I travel to Los Angeles, a typical day is usually on set for a specific job or a rehearsal or training and taking hip hop classes at ImmaSpace, Millennium Dance Complex, TMilly or PlayGround.
When did you start dancing?
I started dancing when I was 3 years old in ballet and tap. At the age of 6 years old I took my first jazz and hip hop classes. I fell in love with hip hop and I loved to perform on stage.
Did you take dancing classes?
I currently take ballet, lyrical and contemparary and hip hop dance classes each week. When I travel to Los Angeles, I take hip hop drop-in dance classes!
What’s it like performing on “Dancing with Stars Juniors?”
Performing on the show was so fun! I loved learning ballroom dancing which was brand new to me! As one of the troupe dancers we got to work with different Pro Dancers and the Celebrity dancers each week which was really fun! I met some many wonderful people who to this day I still see and keep in touch with!
How did you get on the show?
Casting for the show emailed me and asked if I’d come auditon for the show. They had found me on social media! It was such a shock since I had no ballroom experience but I decided to just go and dance and try my best!
Any advice for aspiring dancers?
The best advice is to be patient. If you work hard and beleive in yourself, your time will come to shine and be recognized!
What do you love most about dancing?
I love the way it makes me feel! Dancing is a way to express myself!
What type of dance do you like best?
My two favorite styles of dance are hip hop (of course) and contemparary!
Now tell us about dancing with Justin Bieber?
Dancing for Justin Beiber on his “Purpose World Tour” to his one song “Children” in my home town (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) and alongside my older sister, Taylor was a dream come true! I was so nervous to perform on stage but once I got out there it was the best feeling!
And performing at the Kids Choice Awards?
I had a blast performing at the Kid’s Choice Awards! We did a Barbie themed danced choreographed by Fatima Robinson. I got to work with so many of my dance friends that it was such a great experience!
You are followed by so many young girls. How do you feel about that pressure of doing always the right thing, and encourage people to follow their dreams?
I am grateful that I have young girls following and supporting me! There is that pressure to always do the right thing that sometimes I’ve found that I am afraid to be creative and instead play it safe when posting on social media. I have to remind myself that being your true self is the only way to go!!
Do you have a favorite actress or actor that inspires you?
I love Millie Bobby Brown!
Best advice ever given?
Block out the noise and negativety!
What we can expect of Reese Hatala in 2020?
I want to teach a few hip hop dance classes this year. I’m still pretty young but I want to start teaching classes in my dance community first!
What are the five things you can’t live without?
1. Family and friends
2. My new puppy, Benji and my cat, Rocky
3. Dance
4. Gold Fish crackers
5. Face masks
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Prince! It would of been so awesome to see him in concert! I love his music.
What is you favorite song? Why?
Bury a Friend by Billie Ellish
Who is your role model?
My biggest role model is my older sister, Taylor who is also a professional dancer in LA. Taylor is my biggest cheerleader and always encourges me and pushes me to be
my best Self! We love and support each other always!
Name one your strengths?
I am usually a pretty happy and positive person!
How do you spend your spare time?
I love going to NHL Oiler hockey games with my family, hanging out with my friends, skiing in the winter and biking and skateboarding in the summer!
Any future plans you want to share with us?
I am focusing on acting more this year. I am working with an acting coach on a consistent basis and looking to really work on those skills this year.
What kind of music do you like?
I love all kinds of music!
What hidden talents do you have?
I’m super double-jointed in my shoulders and arms!
How would you describe your fashion style?
Urban trendy but has to be comfortable first always!
Where would you like your career to be in the next 5 years?
My goal is to have an acting role in a TV series!
Your idea of a perfect Sunday is?
Wake up late and then chill in bed watching something on YouTube or NetFlix, do some homework, film a freestyle video or Tik Tok.
Then eat a home cooked meal, go in the hot tub for a soak and watch a movie with my family and then bed!
Do you support any charities?
I support and have worked with Unicef in the past!
What do you think of Social Media as you are a huge influencer in this category?
Social media is my platform to showcase my dancing and other things that interest and inspire me!
Where we can follow you?
My IG handle is @Reeses_pieces77
Movie: The Bee Movie
Tv Series: Netflix’s San Carita Diet / Disney’s Jessie
Favorite Food: Gold Fish crackers and steak
Travel Destination: Bora Bora
Sports Team: NHL Hockey – Edmonton Oilers / NFL Football – Dallas Cowboys / NBA Basketball – LA Lakers
Photo Credit: @ninety5shoots
