Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Williams.
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Julie “Osaka Jay” Williams; I’m 37 and a native of Jacksonville, Florida. I graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and Jacksonville Centre of the Arts. I attended New World School of the Arts, where I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree on full scholarship, principal dancer in J. Dash’s WOP and STRUT, Freddick Bratcher Dance Company, Entertainer at Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan, California’s Fun Next to None, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Disney Performing Arts. I added the Fitness Model to my accomplishments with 7-time Olympian Shannon Miller’s Fitness line. I received my certification in Horton Pedagogy at The Ailey School. At the pandemic’s peak, I became a licensed aesthetician and CEO/founder of JuJuSkin Beauty and performed/modeled professionally.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In 2013, I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, which is a rare blood disorder. It was at that moment that I hung up my dreams. I said to myself, “I can’t dance and have Leukemia!” but God had other plans. My Heavenly Father reminded me that this storm was temporary, not a lifetime. I turned my fear into courage, creating dance works, modeling, and being a spokesperson for healthy living. People are shocked when they hear my testimony. I always say, “I don’t look like what I’ve been through; I’m a walking miracle.”
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Professional Dancer and Choreographer. I specialize in creating dance works for performance groups in the city. The choreography movement I make is electric, captivating, and poetic. It tells a story. What separates me from the others is that I’m as rare as they come. I’m known as “The RareBreed.” No one dances or choreographs like me because of the movement I curate. My choreography is created through past experiences that I’ve encountered. That’s what makes it unique and rare.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those just starting.
Remember your “Why?” Remember when you felt free and vulnerable, and never let that go. Purpose drives you, and your gifts will make room.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jujuskinbeauty.as.me/
- Instagram: @livingosakajay
Image Credits
Miguel Emmanuelli, Blue Franswa, April Visuals, Firebird Creative
