When I watched in the Heights, there was one dancer who was so mesmerizing that it actually felt as though the camera bent toward her in every scene.

Her name is Ilya Jessica Castro, and her story is amazing.

She did not start dancing until she was 18 years old, virtually unheard of for a professional

dancer.

She came up through Alvin Ailey, got her first big professional dance job as a Nick City dancer,

where she also got a crash course in the business of dance,

and she has toured with a ton of artists,

including Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, and Rihanna.

She has danced in The Wiz Live,

the greatest showman, and Honey,

where she was Jessica Albus dance double.

This episode is about dance, yes,

but it is also about believing that it is

never too late to start.

Jessica, thank you so much for doing this.

Thanks for having me.

It is incredible to me, given that I have caught you now in the place where you are where

you have made this your profession, you are extremely successful, you have found various ways

to pursue this love.

You did not start dancing in a real way until you were 19, which for those of you

who are not dancers, that is unheard of. I mean, were you dancing around your house in Hartford,

Connecticut? Yes, you know, I've always, I say this, you know, I had a late start. And I think when you're a dancer, you kind of know you're a dancer in a way.

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