Today we’d like to introduce you to Kemar Jewel.
Hi Kemar, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always been into theatre, art, and the Ballroom scene. Those are the only places that ever made me feel like I could be my unapologetic self. When I was in undergrad, I created a video called VOGUING TRAIN as a project for school, and my mentors and professors encouraged me to put it online. I was hesitant because I didn’t think it was good enough, but to my surprise, it became a hit and went viral. The video going viral led to celebrities retweeting and sharing my work all over the internet, and me getting interviewed by Huffington Post and many other new outlets. From there, I received an unexpected email from international DJ and superstar Bob Sinclair about choreographing his newest video. I agreed, and that changed my life! After the video, Bob asked the dancers and me from the video to join him on his European tour. We were touring around Europe, working with celebrities, flying on a private jet, and more! Those experiences proved to me that art and being a performer can be more than just a hobby. From there, I came back to America and moved from Philly to New York and dedicated my life to being a Director and Choreographer. I applied for fellowships, found an artist network, and began down the path of turning the dreams into a reality. Then…the pandemic hit! It shut down many of my opportunities, but gave me time to reset and figure out the kind of art I wanted to put into the world. During the tail end of the pandemic, I applied to the Yale School of Drama and was accepted. I spent 3 years in that program being taught by Tony winners, Oscar winners, and learning from the best to ever do it in the theatre and entertainment industry. In May 2025, I graduated, and now I am back in the field, ready to take the world by storm with my Yale degree, my vision for entertainment, and the power of the Ballroom scene behind me. I have spent 12 years being a part of a community that has poured into me, and I am ready to show the world the beauty it holds.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Although the things I discussed in my story seem so wonderful and magical, it has not been a smooth road for me at all. When I was 16, I was kicked out of my house for being gay. That led me to be homeless and then to have to do sex work as a minor. I struggled a lot, and it really messed up my mental health for an entire decade. I had to create a chosen family and be in intense mental health services in order to stay afloat. Within the last two years, many of my chosen family, my only support system, have been brutally murdered (such as O’Shae Sibley, whose murder went viral after he was killed for voguing at a gas station). I have been navigating life for years in the absence of my family while simultaneously mourning my chosen family time and time again. For Black queer men and Black trans women, our life expectancy is lower than you’d imagine.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Director and a Choreographer. My art has been seen in theatre, dance, opera, music videos, musical theatre, and European tours. As a Ballroom Legend from the House of Lanvin, I draw my inspiration from Black queer culture and combines it with his technical training from The Drama League, New York City Center, and Yale. I’m adept at nourishing the musicality within the text while simultaneously working from an ethos of joy and creating theatrical experiences that audiences won’t soon forget. My mission is to revive classic stories by having them reflect the people in today’s society. I believe great stories teach the best lessons, and those stories should have everyone reflected in them.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Never be afraid to be different from everyone else. You will find that it is a true strength! Find your community and never be afraid to message other artists and tell them that they inspire you, and you would love to work with them or take them for coffee to ask about how to grow as an artist. I wish someone told me all of those things when I started.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kemarjewel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kemar_jewel/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KemarJewel1
Image Credits
Aaron-Michael Sobers
