Parris Goebel doesn’t need to be called a choreographer. “I get quite sensitive when people put me in a box,” she explains. “I’m so far more than simply a dancer or a choreographer… I’m an artist. I’m a free spirit. I’m a creative. I’m a muse. I didn’t select this life, I used to be born this fashion.”

Should you’re feeling somewhat inspired or empowered by Goebel immediately, well, that’s the purpose. Having dropped out of college at 15, getting booked to choreograph J.Lo’s world tour at 19, and dealing with the likes of Dior and Justin Bieber, now, at 29-years-old, the Recent Zealand native has just finished her most up-to-date gig with Rihanna (just a little show called Savage x Fenty vol. 2, don’t know if you happen to’ve heard of it). 

But, despite having achieved such notable success at such an early age, there continues to be an insatiable passion that drives Goebel, an energy which oozes out when she speaks. “If I didn’t create or express my soul in the best way I do each day, my soul would probably die,” she says. “I feel like I’m living my purpose.”

Growing up in Auckland, and taking inspiration from the likes of Missy Elliott and Prince, Goebel taught herself tips on how to dance by “obsessing over and mimicking music videos”. Now, she is creating dances that are aimed to make people feel good, uniting us all through a “universal language of affection and joy.” 

Here, we talk with the renowned creative about appreciating your personal beauty, breaking down false narratives, and what it’s like working with Rihanna.  

Are you able to tell us a bit about yourself and where you grew up? How has your background shaped who you might be as an individual?

Parris Goebel: I used to be born and raised in Auckland, Recent Zealand. I’m a proud Samoan woman and my family is my all the things. I knew at a young age that I desired to perform and create. I’ve at all times been a free spirit with big dreams. I dropped out of college at 15, and thru the facility of the web, I used to be booked by J.Lo to choreograph her world tour at 19-years-old. From there, the doors began to open and I kept pursuing my dreams.

Do you remember the primary time you were conscious of your appearance?

Parris Goebel: I used to be insecure about my looks all through my childhood, especially throughout my highschool years. I used to be the one brown girl at my school and was bullied for having different features. I generally at all times felt like an outcast and it took me years to like myself. I’ve come such a good distance with unpacking those insecurities and appreciating the attractive woman I actually have grown to be. 

Growing up, what TV shows, models, artists, magazines, designers etc informed your understanding of beauty and identity and the best way you presented yourself visually?

Parris Goebel: I loved Missy Elliott growing up. I used to be obsessed along with her music, her visuals, and was in awe of her overall style. She went against the grain in all the things she did and I felt that was the primary time I deeply resonated with an artist. She showed me that you simply didn’t have to evolve or fit the establishment to achieve success. She shifted my whole perspective and gave me the arrogance to be unapologetically me. I also loved Prince, he’s one among my favourite artists of all time. He was special and daring in his art. He used every outlet to precise himself from music to fashion to art, and that’s what I attempt to do in my craft. I’m consistently finding latest ways to precise my soul and I need other people to feel that.

“I’m consistently finding latest ways to precise my soul and I need other people to feel that” – Parris Goebel

Why are you a dancer and choreographer? What made you wish to turn out to be one? 

Parris Goebel: I’m so far more than simply a dancer or choreographer, and I get quite sensitive when people put me right into a box. I’m an artist. I’m a free spirit. I’m a creative. I’m a muse. I didn’t select this life, I used to be born this fashion. If I didn’t create or express my soul in the best way I do each day, my soul would probably die. I’m extremely grateful to find a way to do what I do and I feel like I’m living my purpose. 

How did you really get into it? Where did you hone your craft? Is it something you learnt or is it more instinctual?

Parris Goebel: I didn’t have many resources in Recent Zealand so I’d obsess over music videos and check out and mimic them. Then movies like Save The Last Dance and You Got Served got here out and altered my life. I just knew that I used to be going to be an element of that world in the future. I didn’t really have a mentor, I mostly taught myself by watching videos and dancing in my room each day. While you’re born with a present, it’s your destiny and there’ll at all times be a sense that pulls you towards sharing it with other people.

Are you able to tell us a bit about your creative process from the initial idea to final performance?

Parris Goebel: It really will depend on the project, but more often than not as soon as I hear the music, I’m in a position to see things. It might be movement, colors, or a story playing out in my mind. On the subject of choreography, I just push play and let my body freely move. It’s at all times a spontaneous and magical experience. I then construct off of my base idea and add dancers to the general vision. 

Is beauty something you are trying to capture in your work or something that you simply reject? What’s your relationship to ‘beauty’ (whatever that word means to you)?

Parris Goebel: There may be beauty in all the things and everybody. 

How do you are feeling when you’re dancing? Are you able to describe the emotions and sensations?

Parris Goebel: Immortal. Free. On fire. Floating. Falling. Electric. 

You’ve worked on so many iconic performances, videos, shows etc. What are the projects that you simply’re most happy with? Or that stand out to you essentially the most. 

Parris Goebel: I’d need to say Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty shows have been the highlight of my profession. I really feel just like the shows have inspired people all around the world to not only be themselves but to like themselves. That’s what matters most to me – if I will help set others freed from judgement, insecurities and the pressures of the world… then I’m doing my job. 

How did you first turn out to be involved with Savage x Fenty?

Parris Goebel: I actually have been working closely with Rihanna for about five years now. She’s my sis, we at all times link as much as create some magic. That is my third Savage x Fenty show, and I feel like every show has been so powerful.  

The Savage x Fenty shows are such a celebration of diversity, bodies, fantastic thing about all kinds. What does it mean to you to work with a brand that prioritises diversity in the best way Fenty does? 

Parris Goebel: It’s needed and it’s about time! For too long the world has been programmed to think beauty looks a certain way and that has left too a lot of us feeling unworthy and insecure. The more we will show real representation and variety on influential platforms, the more we will break down false narratives and stereotypes.

The Savage x Fenty vol 2 show really felt like a moment of much-needed joy at a time when things are looking quite bleak for many individuals. What was your aim going into the show this season? Were you factoring within the context that you simply were creating in?

Parris Goebel: We desired to bring people inspiration and joy. It has been a troublesome 12 months for all of us and it was so necessary that the show uplifted the world and gave everyone that extra push to maintain being comfortable and keep shining. That’s what I really like about dance, it’s a universal language of affection and joy. I’m so comfortable we could give everyone something to sit up for.

“That’s what I really like about dance, it’s a universal language of affection and joy. I’m so comfortable we could give everyone something to sit up for” – Parris Goebel

The style and sweetness industries still have a protracted strategy to go together with inclusivity. What steps have to be made? How can the industries do higher? 

Parris Goebel: I feel it starts at the highest. Having a various board that cares about culture and alter. Too repeatedly I actually have worked with brands or teams that just don’t get it. We want more understanding leaders which might be captivated with showcasing different kinds of individuals in our world.

What advice would you give to young dancers hoping to get into the industry?

Parris Goebel: Be the toughest employee within the room. 

What are you currently working on?

Parris Goebel: I’m about to release my very own clothing line, RUNAWAY MOTEL, which I’m super enthusiastic about. I’m also currently working on my debut feature film with Sony, and nearly to start out rehearsals for the AMA’s!

How do you’re thinking that our understanding of beauty has shifted with the evolution of technology?

Parris Goebel: It will depend on how you employ technology. For instance, you should use Instagram to showcase your beauty or you should use it to chase beauty. The world of social media has created an unimaginable idea of perfection, but I feel when you understand that life isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being YOU, then you definitely stop in search of validation and begin expressing yourself as a substitute. 

What’s the longer term of beauty?

Parris Goebel: We’re the longer term of beauty.