What do entertainment's biggest names like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Diddy, and The Jonas Brothers have in common? Industry icon Laurieann Gibson. The Emmy-nominated director, choreographer, producer, and entrepreneur has spent 20+ years with success after success, from the world's largest music tours to film to television to commercials to gaming, and she's now sharing her powerful blueprint to achieving your dreams with her debut book, Dance Your Dance: 8 Steps to Unleash Your Passion and Live Your Dream. Here, Laurieann shares how her book came to be and how to forge your own path to success.
How did your book, Dance Your Dance, come to fruition?
It was a spiritual thing. A God moment. As I was writing my book, I realized it was a result of a really arduous and dedicated career. I really started to grasp how much I've done. This book is a vehicle to inspire not only the artist/creative, but it's a book that will inspire a world of dreamers to come.
You've built an empire and worked with some of the world’s biggest and larger-than-life music artists. How did you forge your path to success?
I trained and sustained. I persevered. I didn't take no for an answer, and I stayed in my "Yes". All of these steps are in the book. The book is inspired by those events in the industry that gave me the revelation and helped me understand precisely how to write this book. I forged my path by refusing to become somebody else or adjust myself to fit into a mold in order to fulfill my dream.
What are the top key pieces of advice you hope your audience will take away from your book?
I hope visionaries and dreamers take away the idea that everyone has a unique dream and a specific roadmap to whatever it is they envision. I want everyone to understand that they don't have to do it like anybody else. They don't have to become something the world tells them to be in order to be successful. I want them to own their own greatness and trust the process! And, I want them to gain a true understanding of perseverance and be inspired to never give up, even in the face of adversity.
What would you like to say to the next generations of diverse creators and dreamcatchers?
I would say, be mindful of wanting success overnight. Much of the younger generation look for success to happen quickly and think that if it doesn't, it means their dream isn't valid. But greatness is in the process. Everyone's process is different, so dance your dance and no one else's. It's important that we change the narrative and stop comparing ourselves to others, but instead, understand what makes us unique. Find the strength to commit and stay true to your own uniqueness!
What's next up on the horizon?
I'm really excited about some new superstars that I have coming who are going to change the landscape of the music industry. I'll also be back on TV on So You Think You Can Dance and the Making the Band reboot, and I'm working on a scripted television show as well. Most importantly, is an undeniable appetite to continue to inspire the world to dance your dance, unleash your passion and live your dream!
Photography by: Nathan James
