Today we’d like to introduce you to Santana Hurley.
Hi Santana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Growing up I was in competitive cheerleading. From small pep squads to middle school and high school cheer. It was all I ever knew. I wasn’t the most elite cheerleader but my passion and dedication got me through. I grew up in El Paso, Texas, my freshman year my team competed at the NCA High School Nationals competition. I stopped doing cheer my junior year and started swim and audio-visual classes. The middle of senior year I moved to Fort Worth. I left the only life I knew in that city to move 8 hours away. It was miserable at first but I made nice friends when I moved here. Graduation came around and everyone went to college and I was left with just myself again. I originally attended TCC for film to transfer to a 4-year university. I was heavily involved with photography and videography. At home, issues started to creep into my school life and I started going downhill. I failed many classes due to lack of motivation, depression, stress, and anxiety. Thus, leading me into having to retake so many classes. I changed my major to HR at the beginning of COVID and online school. Then I changed it to Linguistics. I had a quarter-life crisis that ultimately led me to dropping out of college. And it was the BEST decision ever. I started diving into what I knew best, DANCING. During the spring of 2021, I started teaching cheer and hip-hop for the city of Fort Worth, but the program ended due to lack of funding and students because of COVID. The summer of 2021 I back up and danced for Miss PSSA Drag Pageant in Dallas. That event catapulted me to where I am now. I am now part of a beautiful collaborative team DAISYSONEWORLD. I dance on stage to local and top EDM DJs and perform dance numbers at weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, corporate events, private parties, fashion shows, roaming circus performances, and art festivals. I got to debute burlesque at the House of Blues. I also back up dance for L25, pop EDM singer, and Penny & the Flamethrowers, a rockabilly band. I love wearing fun costumes and meeting and working with other entertainers and artists. I am forever grateful and blessed to be a part of this team and industry. It takes a lot of hard work, balance, and talent 😉
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Having family problems while living at home is the worst. It changes your character and outlook on life. Toxic friendship that traumatized me but I learned a lot from that experience. Being suicidal because it’s just a part of who I am. Those who are suicidal get it & those who aren’t don’t get it. It gets very exhausting going back and forth from wanting to live and not wanting to live. Then feeling huge guilt for even thinking like that. Questioning your existence and religion. I have everything I could want in this material world but sometimes I let those intrusive thoughts win. I NEVER act upon those thoughts or feelings but it will always be in the back of my mind. I am at peace now. I advocate about talking about suicide because unfortunately it’s taboo but affects millions of people worldwide.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in character roaming, choreography numbers, freestyle, modeling, and creative direction. I am most proud of honoring myself and my feelings on the direction of my life. I’m living for me and nobody else in this lifetime. I am no better than anyone else, those who work in the entertainment industry know hard work and networking will get you places. What sets me apart is I stay true to my character and be my authentic self.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. Always learn ways how to level up your skills and potentially learn how to make money from it! Trust yourself, your body, and your mind. Place strong boundaries and don’t take things personal. Learn how to balance your success and those who are there for your during your success. Be kind but assertive. Take photos and videos as much as you can and always update your resume!
Contact Info:
- Website: daisysoneworld.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/santanaevangelistaa
- Facebook: facebook.com/DaisysOneWorld
Image Credits
Eli Flores
brycoxstudio
Morgan Brignac
