IN CONVERSATION WITH MANUEL BETANCURT
Colombian dancer Manuel Betancurt has taken his talent from local stages to dancing with global stars like Dua Lipa. In Conversation, he opens up about his journey, inspirations, and what it's like performing on the world stage.
What first sparked your passion for dance, and how did you begin your journey?
I've always had a strong passion for dance. It’s been a part of my life since I was a child. I simply let myself be guided by that passion, and it became so powerful that it ended up carving its own path for me.
Was there a particular moment or influence that led you to pursue dance professionally?
I just dedicated a lot of time and energy to it, and as I said, my professional life took its own direction. On my part, I always insisted on wanting to dance.
Who were some of your early inspirations or role models in the world of dance?
As a teenager, I learned from tutorials by Matt Steffanina, a dancer from LA who was trending at the time, and I was also really inspired by Jade Chynoweth.
Looking back, which collaboration or performance stands out to you as the most memorable?
One of my most impactful recent experiences was working with Nathy Peluso. She’s an artist I admire deeply. More than just being featured in her music video, it was about sharing space and energy with her—it was fantastic.
What do you find to be the biggest challenge of being a professional dancer?
In my opinion, the biggest challenge is staying persistent in what you want and believing you’ll achieve it. At the same time, knowing that the learning process never ends—there’s always something more.
When you're not dancing, how do you like to spend your time or unwind?
I enjoy spending time alone, being in a park having a picnic, listening to music, reading, writing, or just observing my surroundings—it’s one of my favorite things.
How do you maintain balance and stay grounded in such a demanding and fast-paced industry?
For me, it’s been essential to work on my mental well-being in order to navigate the toxic aspects of the industry. It can be exhausting and draining, but knowing how to disconnect and live a life outside of it has helped me see the good side and feel comfortable and at peace where I am.
How has your family and close circle supported you throughout your career?
At first, my family didn’t fully believe I could make a living from dance, but little by little they started to see it was possible. Now their support is unconditional. My close circle was quite similar, but to be honest, I’ve always felt very supported.
What does the LGBTQ+ community mean to you, and how has it influenced your work?
To me, community means freedom, love, doing what you truly want without harming anyone, loving whoever you want, discovering yourself, and loving yourself as you are. In my work, I don’t feel it has ever had a negative impact.
What advice would you give to young LGBTQ+ individuals aspiring to pursue dance or the arts?
For anyone wanting to follow the path of art or dance, I believe the most important thing is to truly know yourself and understand that there’s always space for everyone in the artistic world. With persistence and good work, something will definitely come your way.
