Get to know

will west

Photographer & Art Director EMILY ALMODOVAR | Creative Director & Video Editor SHOKIRIE CLARKE | Producer KIRSTY ANDERSON | DOPs SONIA MARTINEZ MULNER & ELLIOT BANKS | Gaffer SENAN FLUDE-FEAR | MUA BECCA MCLINTOCK | Interviewer MICHELLE DJOHARI | BTS RYAN CLARKE | Production Assistant GRACE WINDSOR

Notorious for his distinctive character, flair and undeniable skill, as seen in jungles music videos, will west urges young dancers to take a leap of faith

Who is Will West? ?

⁠”Someone who tries to feel things to the fullest extent. A really human type of human!

I am born and raised in Birmingham, England and currently based like everywhere!”

How would your friends describe you?

“Probably annoyingly passionate or like a really tasty meal that needs cutlery but without any cutlery. I’m not sure you would have to ask them.”

What inspired you to start dancing?

“One of the reasons I started training was discovering Quest Crew, they won Season 3 of America’s Best Dance Crew in 2009. Watching them perform and seeing their friendship made it look like they were having so much fun, dancing and flipping about all over the world. I remember thinking, That’s what I want to do.

I watched every video they posted, trying to learn their routines and tricks. I was obsessed, and honestly, I still am. Chasing that feeling led me to where I am now. I’m so grateful for Quest Crew. They were so unapologetically themselves, and to me, they’re still the coolest.”

How would your friends describe you?

“Probably annoyingly passionate or like a really tasty meal that needs cutlery but without any cutlery. I’m not sure you would have to ask them.”

What inspired you to start dancing?

“One of the reasons I started training was discovering Quest Crew, they won Season 3 of America’s Best Dance Crew in 2009. Watching them perform and seeing their friendship made it look like they were having so much fun, dancing and flipping about all over the world. I remember thinking, That’s what I want to do.

I watched every video they posted, trying to learn their routines and tricks. I was obsessed, and honestly, I still am. Chasing that feeling led me to where I am now. I’m so grateful for Quest Crew. They were so unapologetically themselves, and to me, they’re still the coolest.”

What is your training background?

“I’ve been athletic for as long as I can remember, throwing myself around eventually turned into tricking and martial arts. Then I started my dance journey with breaking, and from there, I explored other street dance styles and some classical forms. I was interested in different practices and ways of moving, and now I’m an amalgamation of it all.”

What was your first commercial job?

“Technically, my first job was with the boyband Blue. I wasn’t very good and probably shouldn’t have been on that stage, but I had a great time. My second job was an ad choreographed by Kenrick Sandy.”

How did it feel entering the commercial realm and how have you evolved since?

“Exciting, Daunting and really intense. Starting so young meant I had to mature fast. I’ve learned how to navigate the industry better now, but back then, I’d dive in headfirst, hit a wall, and learn the hard way. It’s like anything, you fail, you fail again, and over time, you build the skills you need.”

If you weren’t a dancer what would you be doing?

“I’d probably do something in child care like a social worker, or a therapist.”

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

“With a big fat smile on my face.”

What advice would give to younger dancers?

“Fear can stop us from doing, expressing, and believing in a lot, but I urge you not to wait for fear to disappear before taking the leap of faith!”

JOMO.WRLD

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