MADE Magazine March / April Issue Commemorative Issue | Page 35

ARIANA: Hip hop is what I’m most
known for. Hip hop just feels right to
me, it feels natural on my body, and
is something I enjoy so I frequently
take classes and was in a hip hop/
salsa dance company called Gifted
Souls for a few years.
MADE: What is your most proud
moment of your dance career so
far?

ARIANA: Other than my lack of training and pushing through
that, I would have to say my biggest obstacle has probably
been me doubting myself. In life you may have people who
don’t support your decision to follow your passion. After
receiving my degree I had a few people pushing me into getting
a career in corporate America, which I knew wouldn’t make
me happy, and occasionally I would doubt myself on if I was
making the right choice by following my passion for dance. As
soon as that thought would cross my mind I’d always receive
a blessing that reminds me that I’m making the right decision.
MADE: How does your diversity and culture add value to your
dance team?
ARIANA: My diversity and culture of having a background in
Latin dance adds a spicy flare to my dancing. Some of my
teammates even joke around calling me “The Spicy One”.
MADE: What keeps you grounded in the glamorous world of
Sports and Entertainment?
ARIANA: My family keeps me very grounded. We are all very
close and they are super supportive. They remind me where I
come from and to always stay true to who I am. Without them
I wouldn’t have the courage or strength to pursue my dreams.
I love them so much.
MADE: What impact do you want to make when you dance in
front of large audiences?
ARIANA: I always want the audience to feel my passion when
I dance. I want to inspire when I perform and bring joy to the
audience.
MADE: What style of dance are you most recognized for? How
did you establish a niche in that area?

ARIANA: I have two proud moments
actually. One being my very first
professional dance gig dancing with
Beyoncé on Oprah’s last TV show.
The moment I hit the stage and felt
the energy from the audience I knew
that I had to follow my passion for
dance. As clicheé as it may sound,
it was one of those “aha” moments
that made me find my calling and
passion. My second proud moment
is when I auditioned in front of
Debbie Allen (whom I’ve looked up to
since I was young) and was chosen
to dance on the season finale of the
hit show Empire. Just being in her
presence during rehearsals and the
filming was inspirational.
MADE: Do you ever get nervous
before performances? If so, how do
you manage?
ARIANA: Yes, I still get nervous
before performances. Which I think
is natural and good because it
reminds me that I care about my
performance. I usually say a prayer
before I go on which helps calm me.
MADE: What can we expect from
Ariana Rosado in the near future?
How do you actively seek to
continue to make your dream a
priority in your life?
ARIANA: In the future I w