Mark Kanemura: So You Think You Can Pride?

Dancer and influencer Mark Kanemura danced onto television and into our hearts in Season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance. He couldn’t have imagined how this appearance would affect his whole life. From dancing along with music videos on MTV with his sisters in his living room to becoming a powerhouse in the dance and social media world, it all started with that one audition.

I flew up from Hawaii the night before and got in line around 4am. I remember sitting in the audience and watching all the other incredibly talented dancers, thinking to myself, “Oh. My. God. What did I get myself into?” I felt like a fish out of water. I felt like I wasn’t at the same level as many others. And in some ways, I wasn’t. I have never been the strongest technically, but I think I have a lot to offer with my uniqueness and performance abilities. I remember taking it step by step, day by day. Doing my best to get through each phase of the audition process. I knew that there were a lot of strong dancers so rather than focusing on trying to be like them or on what I was lacking, I focused on what I could share and bring to the table… me!

His passion started early. He knew from a young age that he wanted to dance, he wanted to tour with artists, and he wanted to make a difference. The world of dance was the only place where he saw a glimpse of himself on the screen. The diva who had a huge hand in his getting into the industry? The one, the only, Janet Jackson.

Janet has such incredible music and videos – filled with amazing dancers and choreography AND her dancers are always diverse which was a big deal for me! Seeing the diverse representation made me aware that all of this was a possibility and allowed me to dream and hope that one day I’d be able to be a dancer on tour and in music videos.

His early training growing up in Hawaii would teach him the fundamentals of not only dance but also how to live life authentically. After learning his first dance moves from his sister, he started taking classical dance classes and moved into the world of musical theatre. By the age of 14 he was teaching dance classes in exchange for his own classes. He covered everything – ballet, modern, jazz, funk, hip-hop, and contemporary. What he didn’t learn in the classroom, he learned from his early gigs.

My first big music video gig was for the Pussycat Dolls. I was hired as an extra or background, but it was my first time being on a big music video set and I remember being very excited. It also filled me with that drive to work harder. I remember watching the dancers from the side thinking, I want to do that! I can do that!!

Mark’s style and personality would give him that edge that set up him apart from other contestants on SYTYCD. He would return to the show as an All-Star and as a choreographer for Seasons 7 and 10, clearly a fan favorite. But it was that first step onto the stage that would be a defining moment.

I was beyond excited and very emotional. I remember turning the corner to make my entrance onto the stage, I immediately saw my mom in the audience and had to look away. I was overcome with emotion and would have bawled my eyes out had I continued looking at her. When I was on the show, it was quite different. I believe at the time, there was only Facebook, and I wasn’t checking my Facebook while I was on the show, so I wasn’t really aware of the scope of the show while I was on it. It felt like I was in a bubble. It was very surreal seeing myself on TV competing on a show I had watched regularly with my mom.

Mark Kanemura photo by Matt Monath / photo assistant Matthew James Ortiz. Rainbow wig: Wigs by Vanity.

As a mentor, what advice would he have given to himself?

Breathe. Trust in your gift. Be present. Have fun. And SOAK IT UP!

With each performance met with thundering applause, he made it as a finalist for his debut season and the rest would become an evolving history. The media took notice, as did major players in the entertainment world. His first big gig after the show was in the music video “Truly in Love” by Lil Mama. He performed on the MTV Music Awards and the Primetime Emmy Awards, appeared in videos for Carly Rae Jepsen, worked with Katy Perry, popped up on GLEE, and, with life coming full circle, appeared in Janet Jackson’s “Make Me” video. Perhaps his most well-known collaborations have come from his work with Lady Gaga. He joined her Monster Ball Tour and was seen in the music videos for “Telephone,” “Alejandro,” “Born This Way,” and “Judas.” What was it like meeting Gaga for the first time?

EMOTIONAL. EXCITING. SURREAL. It was for the 2009 MTV VMA’s where she performed Paparazzi! I could not believe my dreams were coming true, specifically with Gaga. When she first came out, I knew immediately I wanted to work with her. She had a background in theater and was a weirdo just like me. There was something so magnetic and fascinating about her and I just knew in my bones I had to work with her! She came into the room to meet us and see what we had been learning. There was a MAJOR inner conversation happening. I was like “BREATHE! STAY CALM! DON’T FUCK THIS UP!”

Imagine going from an early performance in a production of Grease in Hawaii to touring with Gaga. Did he get stay grounded?

I got up to shenanigans in my free time. I felt incredibly lucky to be able to see the world! On days off, I would sometimes just leave the hotel and get lost in cities. But when it came to working, I was there to WORK! I like to keep things professional when I am working. I’m there to do a job and I want to make sure I’m doing my best to show up and do what needs to be done.

With his extensive resume, television success, and Rolodex of pop stars, his greatest moments come from the world of Gaga.

Dancing for Gaga’s fans is truly a special experience. You see all these wonderful people that are SO excited. They go all out with their outfits and looks. But more importantly, it is a safe space. It is a space where these kids, teenagers, and adults can come and be themselves. They can find other people like them, and it feels like a family, a community. You cannot help but feel the excitement, the joy, and the freedom in the space that Gaga creates and cultivates.

Mark Kanemura photo by Matt Monath / photo assistant Matthew James Ortiz.

That safe space is an environment that Kanemura was familiar with. During high school, he came out to his mother in a flurry of tears in the middle of the night. Surprise, she already knew. His mother and family were extremely supportive and accepting, his mom even sneaking copies of Out magazine into his closet. Leaving that safe place in Hawaii to head into the industry on a national scale was not without its obstacles.

There are parts of the industry that are very heteronormative, and I have had experiences where I feel like I’ve definitely had to fit into a mold or box. When I had the opportunity to work with Gaga, I felt incredibly grateful for getting to work and dance with an artist who allowed us a space to truly be ourselves. I remember how amazing and liberating it felt when I got to partner with other men during dances or wear costumes and perform choreography that felt very much out of the box. Gaga and the creative team really allowed us the space for exploration and authenticity.

Working with trailblazers in the entertainment industry has not gotten to his head. He is a constant student and observer. He has learned about life, the biz, and himself.

On jobs (and in life), I am pretty quiet. I watch, I observe, and I take in my surroundings. Working with these artists I’ve learned strength. I’ve learned kindness and how to treat others. I’ve learned resilience. I’ve learned what it looks like when you tap into your power and let it shine for the world to see. Be kind. Be respectful. The industry is small and word travels quickly. I think it is important to keep good relationships with directors, choreographers, other dancers, the crew, etc. People want to collaborate with people that they enjoy working with, people that they can count on.

With his success, the love of his fans, and a gained confidence, his dancing echoes the energy of his early instruction, but his journey has clearly evolved.

It’s become a lot freer. It started out with a specific path. I knew I wanted to be in music videos and tour with artists and there was a path for me to get there. I knew I had to train hard, so I took a lot of classes and went to auditions with choreographers and teachers I knew I wanted to work with. Now, it feels like I am creating my own path. A lot of what I have been doing recently has been getting back in touch with that creative and vibrant inner child and letting him feel safe to explore and create and feel freedom. A lot of what you see in my work in recent years are things I used to do as a kid, lip-syncing, dressing up, dancing performing. My dad will sometimes see what I do online and laugh lovingly saying, “This reminds me of the things you used to do as a kid!”

Aside from his professional work, he has become a social media superstar. His performance and quick-change videos have gone viral, and he uses his platform to promote Pride, uniqueness, and, of course, dance! His videos are candid, intimate, and down-to-earth. His personality leaps off the screen and it’s easy to understand how his influencer success matches his professional success. Being a social media star is an entirely new experience for Mark.

Mark Kanemura photo by Matt Monath / photo assistant Matthew James Ortiz. Rainbow wig & hair jacket: Manes by Mykey.

I love that it has connected me with a lot of wonderful people. A sort of community! I love that I can share my creativity and queerness with the world and I love that in doing so, it sometimes inspires others to explore and share their creativity and queerness! I also love that what I do can bring some lightness and joy to someone’s day. The other side of sharing your work online is that it can open you and your work up to a lot of hate and bullying. It can be a bit hurtful and triggering especially as someone who grew up being bullied or made fun of for similar things but, the positive outweighs the negative. I’m a very private person so there IS a lot I don’t share and don’t feel the need to share. I share when I feel inspired to and don’t share when I’m not feeling it or just need a break.

Social media “dancing” has taken off and made stars out of non-professional dancers. Does Mark think TikTok style dancing can be considered dancing?

Absolutely! I adore TikTok and love seeing the creativity in people. I love that there is a platform for people to shine and express themselves in so many ways. It is awesome to see people moving and dancing and sharing their talents with the world!  Dancing is an expression of emotions and feelings through the body and because of that, dance is for everyone. I have always believed that anyone can dance.

In the world of influencers, Mark is a breath of fresh hair. With his positivity and talent, he has created his own group of Monster-like fans. He is a beacon of light that reflects the rainbow of our community. His Pride message this season?

As individuals and as a community, there is so much adversity we face, so many challenges we grow up surrounded by, and sometimes it feels really freaking hard to keep going. I am constantly amazed by our community and the resilience we embody! To anyone reading this that may need it, I am SO proud of you and how far you have come. You are awesome! You are beautiful! And I am so happy you and your magnificent light exist in this world! Keep going, keep shining my wonderful friends! I celebrate you and all you are! Happy Pride! Lots of love and aloha, Mark

You can follow Mark on Instagram @mkik808 and on Facebook @OfficialMarkKanemura.