IN STEP WITH | BRITT STEWART

There’s something about dancing that is so freeing whether you enjoy it personally, professionally or watching it on TV! Tomorrow is National Dance Day and we had the chance to catch up with Dancing With the Stars’ pro, Britt Stewart, who partnered with BAND-AID® Brand to celebrate this day (find out about their National Dance giveaway on their Instagram where you can find out about how you can win a special mailer that includes Britt’s favorite BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE® bandages, a gratitude journal, face masks, a gift card for dance gear and more as it’s live now! In partnership with her non-profit, Share The Movement, they’re honoring the uplifting power of dance in Black and Brown communities by sharing all of Britt’s dance “Must-Haves!” 

We took some time to talk about how Britt became a dancer and her passion for it! We also wanted to know how she came to DWTS and the latest season of this show which kicks off season 32 on Sep 26th! We also wanted to know more about her partnership with BAND-AID® Brand as well as how she uses her platform to promote diversity in dance!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment that you realized that you wanted to be a dancer?

BRITT STEWART: Oh, wow! I don't know if I realized it for myself because I was three years old when I started dancing, and my parents put me into it. But as soon as I started dancing, my parents knew that that was my passion. Then, I had an amazing opportunity professionally when I was 15 years old, when I was in the high school musical movies, and it was what really showed me what a career in dance would be like. After that, I just was stuck and that's what I ended up doing!

AM: Where did you train and what kind of dance do you do or lean towards?

BS: I trained in Denver, Colorado at Artistic Fusion Dance Academy. I also trained at my art school from sixth through 12th grade at Denver School of the Arts. Growing up I trained in everything. I was classically trained with ballet and modern and contemporary and jazz. I also did tap and hip hop and cultural dances. And now of course, I lean toward all styles of ballroom dance. I would have to say my favorite is jazz through and through, but I love Samba and Viennese Waltz.

AM: You have toured as a dancer for a number of artists including: Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building, Selena + Chef, Dear…), Rihanna (Ocean’s 8, Battleship, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets) Janet Jackson (Poetic Justice, Why Did I Get Married?, Why Did I Get Married Too?), Demi Lovato, and Florence and the Machine! You danced during Super Bowl XLIX and have also been in Grey's Anatomy, Bunheads, and the Gilmore Girls to name a few - how has it been to showcase your talents on so many stages and different ways?

BS: My career feels so expansive because I started so young, and I also feel very blessed that I got so many different experiences on so many different stages, from live stage to  TV and film. It has really been a blessing to be able to call my passion my career and my work. I know that that is something that doesn't always happen, so I don't take it for granted.

AM: You joined DWTS as a dancer in Season 23 - 27 and then became the first black female pro on the show in Season 29! What attracted you to being on this show and what is the difference between being a dancer versus a pro?

BS: The show actually started as just a regular commercial job. I got hired to do one little performance, and that is where the producers saw me and asked me to audition for the show. It really came out of the blue! I knew that I wanted something different and I wanted to be challenged. This was right after Katy Perry's tour. I had been with her for three years, and I really loved working with her, but I knew that I just wanted something different at that moment. And literally, Dancing with the Stars fell into my lap. It pushed me in so many ways. The biggest difference between being a dancer and a Dancing with the Stars pro is it really does hold so much responsibility. As a pro you not only get to dance, but to choreograph and to teach and really create a relationship with whoever your partner is.

AM: You've partnered with Johnny Weir (Zoolander 2, Happy!, Spinning Out), Martin Kove (The Karate Kid, Rambo First Blood II, Cobra Kai), and Daniel Durant (Switched at Birth, Chicago Med, CODA) - how do you prepare to work with partners who have varying levels of expertise and what's that process like?

BS: The process of working with all levels and expertise is very unique to each season. I stay true to myself as a choreographer and as a teacher, but I always enter the room with an open heart and open mind and choreograph and teach for that partner's needs.

AM: What has been your favorite memory of being on this show?

BS: Oh my goodness. Well, my favorite memory on Dancing With The Stars is hard to choose because my first season was so rewarding. I really earned a friend for life from Johnny Weir, and he was honestly the perfect first partner I could have asked for. But then, I don't know. I mean, being partnered with Daniel and then falling in love with him, I guess that's my favorite memory!

AM: What can you tell us about the upcoming season that we should keep an eye out for and what are you looking forward to?

BS: Unfortunately, I can’t share too much information about the upcoming season but stay tuned for more to come shortly!

PHOTO CREDIT | Angela Pham at Ballet Hispánico, New York City - Dance Pros Britt Stewart and Brandon Armstrong show off their moves at a recent event hosted by BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE® and nonprofit Share The Movement. 

PHOTO CREDIT | Angela Pham at Ballet Hispánico, New York City - Dance Pro Britt Stewart hosts a moving panel about barriers Black and Brown dancers face at a recent event hosted by BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE® and her nonprofit Share The Movement. 

AM: Tell me about Share The Movement, how you are partnering with BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE® with dance clinics here in NYC, LA, and Atlanta, and why this was synergistic for you.

BS: Share The Movement is a nonprofit organization and I’m lucky enough to serve as President. Share The Movement was created by an amazing group of dancers, choreographers and dance enthusiasts, and we launched in April of 2021. Our mission is to increase diversity in the professional dance industry. As an organization, we’ve really grown in the last several years through our mentorship and summer scholarship programs. We also help young BIPOC dancers continue with training and development opportunities.

Through our partnership with BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE®, we’re putting our mission into action—helping to develop young, diverse dancers. Together we are hosting a series of free dance clinics in Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles. I'm currently here at the New York City event, which just begun, and it's been amazing to create a space where everyone can feel seen and heard. It has been so special.

AM: I'm caramel complected and the fact that there is an option to have wound care options that match our skin is really exciting. Why is this important for dancers?

BS: Having a brand that embraces different skin tones is so important for everyone, especially dancers. We are always on stage or in class where we are prone to cuts, bruises, blisters— you name it. Having BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE® bandages at the ready and matching my skin tone just adds that extra layer of confidence to any rehearsal or performance, shifting the focus back to my performance rather than exposing a wound.

AM: How are you using your platform to amplify content from Black and Brown dancers for National Dance Day?

BS: BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE® and I are teaming up for a giveaway in celebration of National Dance Day on Sunday, September 16! People will have the chance to celebrate dancers and win some of my favorite dance essentials, including BAND-AID® Brand OURTONE® bandages. Be sure to stay tuned for additional details and how you can enter the giveaway on BAND-AID® Brand's Instagram page @bandaidbrand.

 Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

IN STYLE WITH EMMITT SMITH

Without question, Emmitt Smith is known as one of the greatest NFL players of all time! We were honored to take a moment with him during the Super Bowl earlier this month to find out about his partnership with Haggar Clothing Co, the importance of his relationship with his father, what the Super Bowl means to him, his fuel foods when he works out, his participation in Dancing with the Stars and his work in Real Estate! Emmitt shares it all with us as well as his hidden talents and what he's up to at the moment.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your partnership with Haggar Clothing Co and the search for Haggar Hall of Fame Dads.
 
EMMITT SMITH: Haggar is special to me because they made one of my very favorite pieces of clothing I’ve ever worn – my Pro Football Hall of Fame Gold Jacket. When I got the call that not only were they launching a Hall of Fame for Dads, but they wanted me to help get the word out, I thought it was a great idea. I’m in the Hall of Fame because I had a dad who sacrificed for me, worked hard to take care of his family and supported my dreams. There are dads and father figures across America who do that every day for their kids, step-kids, students and extended family. They don’t get enough recognition, and I think it’s wonderful that Haggar is celebrating these guys and reminding us all how important dads are to future generations. I hope everybody goes to HaggarHOFDad.com to nominate a great dad in their life.

AM: With this activation focusing on fathers, what is the special relationship that you have with your father?

ES: My father has always been a strong presence in my life. He’s the reason I pursued my dreams, made it to the Super Bowl and to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When I was six, I told him I wanted to play for the Dallas Cowboys someday, and he said that would be a good goal. There was no question – no discouragement, no “that’s a really hard thing to do.” That simple statement supported me so much, and it became my life goal.  My dad sacrificed and worked hard for his family, he encouraged my dreams and taught me how to make the dream a reality. He also taught me about what it really means to be a father.

AM: As a Pro Football Hall of Famer, what special place does the Super Bowl hold for you?
 
ES: The Super Bowl holds so many of my greatest memories. Earning the chance to play in it with my team, the Dallas Cowboys. Winning it. Being named MVP. Learning that I would be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame – all things I associate with the Super Bowl. But more than all of those, the Super Bowl is where I learned what a special man my father is. The day before Super Bowl XLIV, my dad and I were spending some time together and he told me how proud of me he was, which was something I’d always known. Then he told me something else I hadn’t  – the story of how he’d dreamed of being a pro football player himself, and that he’d given up his chance to play college ball on scholarship to take care of his family. That’s the day I learned I was living not only my dream, but his, and that I was fulfilling God’s purpose for my life. That’s one of the many things I think of when I think of the Super Bowl.
 
AM: We have seen you as an analyst for the NFL, ESPN; however, you have also been a host for Miss Universe as well as appearing twice on Dancing with the Stars - what other ventures or activities have you been a part of since you stopped playing professionally? 

ES: Following my NFL career I enjoyed venturing into broadcasting, then turned my attention to my real passion – business development, starting with construction and real estate. I have since developed a multi-tiered and multi-faceted enterprise originating with my construction company, and has expanded to include subsequent enterprises. We have been blessed to have notable success and will continue to expand into new ventures.

AM: What was it like when you first joined the cast of Dancing with the Stars and how did you feel that preparation you did for the weekly dance show?

ES: I was very excited when I first joined Dancing with the Stars, until I saw some of the dancers I was going against like Monique Coleman, Joey Lawrence and Mario Lopez and how good they were. Then I got nervous, but I knew that my dedication, hard work and commitment would pay off. I trained and I trained hard.
 
AM: How important is fitness to you post professional football and can you tell us how you stay in shape, how long you spend working out and what your go-to fuel foods are?

ES: Fitness and taking care of your health is the key to longevity. Good cardio, paying attention to your body, physicals and eating properly are essential. Cycling has become my new workout and has now become an extension of my charitable efforts through the Emmitt Smith Gran Fondo. Cycling is a challenging work out, but riding for miles and miles is a lot easier on my body after 20 plus years of football. Being out in the fresh air, taking in the beautiful scenery can’t be beat. My go-to is my favorite – grits, eggs and bacon. (Laughs) Can that count as fuel food?

AM: When you're not working on a number of projects, what would we find you doing on your time off?

ES: Time off? I’m a full-time father of five very active kids and my wife’s biggest cheerleader. We have a full calendar of the kids’ activities ranging from basketball, football, soccer, creative endeavors and the like. Everything is very family-centric or focused on charitable work and I love it. I do indulge in a round of golf during my downtime.

AM: We know that you were a phenomenal football player, and you're a great dancer - what are other hidden talents that you have yet to reveal or planning on revealing?

ES: (Laughing) I can sing. Just joking. My hidden talents should probably stay hidden. They need to be developed a bit more before making them public.

AM: With the winter Olympics coming up, what are your favorite sports that you enjoy cheering?

ES: You know, I’m really more of a Summer Olympics guy because of track & field, but I’m going to be watching the Winter Games. I’m interested in the women’s and men’s bobsled because of their Texas connections, speed skating and the skiing events.

AM: What are you looking forward to in 2018 and what can we keep an eye out for that you are working on or participating in?

ES: I have a lot of exciting ventures on the horizon. I have a great team of experienced partners and am looking forward to continuing to grow our footprint in Texas in commercial real estate, construction and infrastructure. 

PHOTOS COURTESY | JERRY COLI/DREAMSTIME + MBR IMAGES/DREAMSTIME
 

Read more from the Feb Issue and see In Style With Emmitt Smith in mag.

HAIR TALK WITH ANTHONY PAZOS

For our readers that are fans of WE TV's, LA Hair, you know Celebrity Hairstylist and TV Personality, Anthony Pazos is one of the stars and team members of the Kim Kimble Salon which boasts a number of celebrities as clients - in addition to the Grand Diva herself, Beyonce. We talk about how he got into the industry, working with the Queen B during her
Formation Tour and tips/trends that we should keep an eye on during this season.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you know that you wanted to be a hairstylist and what was your journey like?

ANTHONY PAZOS: I knew I wanted to be a hairstylist from a very young age. Growing up I was the oldest of 3 and it was my job to help get my sisters ready in the morning and that's where it all came about.

AM: We have enjoyed seeing you on L.A. Hair as a member of Kim Kimble's team - how did you join this team and what's it like being one of her rockstars?

AP: Being on LA Hair has been fun, for the past 4 seasons we've watched me grow into this brand that I am today. I'm so thankful that Kim & We TV believe in me enough to have me on the show. It's truly an honor to work alongside Kim and it's brought me some really fantastic
opportunities - working on Beyoncé’s team for one.

AM: What are your hair rules in terms of how you approach it and what you're known for as a hair stylist?

AP: I always approach my hairstyles differently depending on the client’s needs. Although my style tends to be more undone, I like everything to be perfect internally but styled messy and
effortlessly.

AM: We know that you have worked with Beyoncé, as well as her dancers' hair - what is that like and how much preparation and time goes into that?

AP: It truly is an honor to have been able to work on the Beyoncé team, sometimes it feels so unreal. Beyoncé’s productions are a lot of work and everything has to be perfect. I find it exciting to be able to challenge myself to create extraordinary hairstyles for the world’s
biggest entertainer.

AM: What are hair trends that were popular in 2016 that you believe will continue into next year and what are new trends that are becoming popular?

AP: 2016 was all about LOB's and smoky hues, we will definitely be seeing more of that come 2017. The great thing about 2016 is that it brought unusual colors to the masses, which in turn became fashionable. This really opened the door and allowed the everyday person to become
more daring. Suddenly, having grey or pink hair wasn't so unusual.

AM: What celebrities have you worked with (besides the Queen herself) that you can share with us?

AP: Man I've worked with so many celebs, but some of my most favorite were Khloe Kardashian, One Direction & Ashley Greene. I really enjoyed that these talents let me be creative and allowed me to do my magic without limitations.

AM: For our girls on the go, we want to know how we can get that red carpet look when we're without our glam squad. Many readers go to blow out bars so they look great for a night out, but how can we keep that blowout looking amazing longer?

AP: For the everyday girl I suggest just trying to have fun with your look. Don't worry about not getting it perfect because practice will make perfect. Also look at things on social media for inspiration.

Take ideas from others and make it your own. Then lastly, the only way to make a blow out last longer, is by not over-saturating with product, and on the last day try curling it to hide oily roots.

Kim Kimble (right) behind the scenes at Super Bowl 50 with Beyonce before her mega Half
Time Show Performance. Photo courtesy of Kim Kimble Salon.

AM: As a fashion stylist, I always keep certain tools of the trade on me in between clients and have learned from fellow MUAs about items I should have on hand. What do we need to for
on-the-go styling which ensures we're always red carpet ready?

AP: That's easy :) you should always have hairspray on hand. Hairspray's great because it can act as a style refresher, root boost and even frizz tamer. My personal favorite brand is Orlando
Pita's Humidity Blocker finishing spray.

AM: Dry, Oily and Frizzy hair has needs, how should we apply hairstyling product for our hair?

AP: Depending on which or all you are battling I always recommend by starting from within. A balanced diet and healthy intake of water usually help combat those hair disasters.

AM: With winter coming, how can we protect our hair and give it the love that it needs to stay gorgeous?

AP: Regular trims and visits to your hairstylist is always the best bet when combating weather changes. I also recommend listening to what your hair needs, the needs of your hair are always telling as long as you pay attention to it.

AM: How can we use clip-ins, wigs and extensions like a stylist and why would one choose one over the other? How can we maintain them?

AP: I have always been a fan of hair additives, such as wigs or extensions. Sometimes these luxuries can be quite expensive but on the other hand they can be a great addition to your everyday look. I always suggest taking care of yourself first. That means do what it takes to be the best you, even if you have to save money to be able to afford these luxuries. In the end you won't regret it and you'll feel elevated.

Make sure to catch Anthony, Kim Kimble and the rest of the LA Hair cast on WE TV for a new season in Jan '17.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Kim Kimble