After dancing alongside Olivia Rodrigo, Shania Twain, Bebe Rexha and others like Camilla Cabello, Quebec's Shanie Blais is now realizing a new dream: she will soon follow Colombian singer Karol G on tour through Latin America and Europe.
“I have worked all my life with the goal of accompanying an artist on an international tour. “All the sacrifices that I made – and those of my parents – were to make this dream come true,” admits the one we discovered on the show Révolution in 2018.
It has now been four years since the Quebec native left her roots to settle in Los Angeles, where she has been pursuing her professional dreams ever since.
Ultimately, it didn't take long for these to come true; Shortly after her arrival, she joined Olivia Rodrigo on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards and then Shania Twain on stage at the People's Choice Awards. Meanwhile, Shanie Blais could also be seen in the clips for various hits by Camilla Cabello (Living Proof), Bebe Rexha (Chain my Heart) and Sofia Carson (He Loves Me But).
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For more diversity
However, the idea of dancing next to a Latin superstar like Karol G wasn't necessarily in her plans. The singer, originally from Medellín, Colombia, has more than 150 awards and statuettes in her wardrobe and has worked with the Shakira, Becky G and Nicki Minaj of the world.
“The requirements for Latin dancers are usually very stereotypical and very strict; They want girls who are tall and thin and have long hair… in short, everything I'm not,” says Shanie Blais.
“But Karol G changed her aesthetic a year ago to make room for more diversity. It feels good to see different bodies, both for us and for the people in the room. If more people in the audience can identify with those they see on stage, I think everyone wins,” she continues.
Quebec's Shanie Blais (right) stands on stage with Karol G during a performance in Puerto Rico in March 2023. Photo AFP
The world… while waiting for Quebec
The Quebecer will soon be flying to Latin America, where the Mañana Será Bonito tour is expected to take place in Mexico, Colombia, Peru and the Dominican Republic, among others. Then it will be the turn of the European cities to receive a visit from Karol G and his team. Stops in Paris, London, Amsterdam, Madrid and even Berlin are planned from May.
However, no stop is planned in Montreal or even in Canada. This dream will have to wait.
“It's definitely one of my big dreams to work on a tour that stops in Quebec. It won’t be like that this year, but I know it will come,” said Shanie Blais.