Jourdina, Dancehall.

There is a very hot picture of Jourdina and me. It is a picture I quickly hide to my bedroom when my dad comes to visit. And then re-move it from the nightstand to the drawers when my boyfriend arrives. It was taken a few years back at her birthday party, where she and her best friend warmed up the crowd with a sensual twerk workshop, followed by a gathering around a table filled with Hennessy, Don Julio and Malibu Rum, before the real party started. There is not much I remember other than a lot of butts shaking and grinding on pumping music, and me feeling too white to keep up with the Caribbean part of her friend group. But what else can you expect of a party, hosted by a woman, who spices up every event under the name of Lady Xcitement?

Growing up on The Islands

When the lady was still a lady in the making, growing up on the islands, she was surrounded by music. She proudly tells me about how her family is full of singers, musicians and dancers. Some only enlighten family gatherings with their gift, others hold pictures and trophies from performances and competitions.

It was her dad who inspired her to dance. Already at the age of three she enjoys following his footsteps, and also the following years she mostly enjoys performing Aruba’s national dances, the Trinidadian dance style Soca, and other more masculine dance styles. But when her aunt started dating a Jamaican man, it is Jourdina who falls in love with the music the man introduces her to. ‘Dancehall just made me wanna move!’

Many things came together at this point. The star of Sean Paul started to rise and made the style even more popular around the island, and it was Jourdina’s luck that she reached the age of 18. From that age, she starts partying, mostly together with her friends from her neighbourhood and her non-blood related sister, who she feels so close to that she calls her her sister. ‘But my mom would only let me go, if I would also show up at church the next morning!’ We cannot stop laughing, thinking on how relieved she felt when she could lay her head down to the bench, every time the priest called for prayer.

Moving abroad

Up until today, she holds a special bond with her mom. When her sister by blood tried to convince her to come to The Netherlands, it was this bond that hold her back. ‘She is my everything, and I am her rock’.

It is easy to tell that family is important for her. Her gaze becomes softer when she talks about them, or whenever she looks at her daughter, who is mostly by her side when we meet. Talking about her, I cannot help but notice how her little girl always has a big smile on her face when she enters the room. But what else can you expect from a mom, who can make a rain feel like confetti? Jourdina always manages to make her class one big celebration, not even to mention the parties where she performs. I have not found a class yet where there is so much laughter together as with her. She recognized that her being funny has always been her special trade mark. ‘At school I was quiet and shy, but around family and people that made me feel comfortable, I was the funny one!’

Even though it may seem, her life is not always so shiny. Building up a dancing career, while having a job, going through college, taking care of her kid as a single mom, all under the umbrella of the depressing Dutch weathers (the other reason that hold her back from coming here in the beginning…) is not always about roses. ‘I want to give my students or audience the best experience, but for that, I need energy.’ She cannot name where she finds this on the days where she is too tired to teach or perform. ‘But I always show up and give my fullest. I expect myself to give everybody a good time, a place where they can get out of their heads and forget their daily struggles.’

The dancing world

Entering the dancing world is not free from struggles either. While growing up, I always fantasized about being part of the dance scene. After seeing the Step Up-movie, I could not wait for having my own dance crew one day, travelling the world together. But just like everything in life, you learn that all pro’s come with cons. The deeper you dive into something, the more you discover the dark sides that are hidden for the eye of the public.

The same counts for the dance industry. Just how much I would like it to be, not everybody is your friend, not everybody sees a collaboration as something fun, and unfortunately there are always people who want to take advantage of you. Jourdina shares with me how this last thing happened to her and the group of people she danced with together. It would be easy to step away, but then, it is a small world. There is a big chance you will continue to cross eyes at events, auditions or in studio’s. And not only you want to keep your network good for yourself, but also for others. ‘I may have had a bad experience with somebody, but that same person can open doors for my friends.’

That is why she demands herself to stay professional. At least to the ones that she holds distance from. Because the ones who are lucky enough to get closer into her circle, learn that she treats everybody she loves like her family.  

Dream big

Something that would open new doors for herself, is gaining a the title of Dancehall Queen. Now, I did not hear anybody other but Spice referring to herself as that, thinking it is like Nicki Minaj is “Barbie” and Pitbull is “Mr. Worldwide”. But there is more to it. A Dancehall Queen is a woman who excels as a dancer to dancehall music. The role is created in the years that dancehall was developing itself. While the lyrics continued to mostly serve the male part of the audience, the ladies stood up, demanding a more powerful role for themselves. In 1992, the first title was given to Carlene Smiths, who still counts as an icon today. She and the Queens that came after her, made way for women to challenge the social norms around femininity and sexuality, with an unapologetic confidence in themselves and their bodies.

To become a Queen, you need a combination of solid moves and flexibility. ‘But mostly, it is about having the right look.’ This look holds the body, embraced by the fashion, and the face, particularly the eyes, that are not only beautiful but also know how to captivate the audience.

A woman who holds the title is highly respected. Queens are booked for performing at parties, sometimes just showing up is enough. It is this last part of the benefits of the title that attract Jourdina, who counts winning the crown as her big ambition. ‘Life is too short, and I want to spend it on the good things in life, together with my daughter. I want her to have everything she desires. Just like my mom made sure I had everything I could wish for while I was growing up.’

But also, there is a world to win when it comes to inclusiveness in the competition culture. Although the title has been won by a big women before, there are more chances of winning the title for women with a body that counts as “in-shape” instead of “fluffy”. Not particularly because it is considered as more beautiful, but for the fact that it makes it easier to see the body control during the movements, like the wining. ‘But I would like to prove that a woman with a beautiful FUPA can win the title too!’

Queen Dina

Our talk comes to a sudden end, when the other students start walking in. It is a mix of familiar faces, many of them were also there last week. Others had been gone for a while, but made it back today, apologizing for the fact that they could not make it for some time. It is not something we do to every teacher. These apologies are limited to the ones that invite us in as their family. The ones that you can joke and party with, but also show you that they got your back when you are going through a bad time. With that, I cannot wait for that moment where we can all be there for her, cheering proudly when she earns that title.

After class her little girl asks me for a goodbye hug. And I hope that Jourdina knows that for me and her, and I bet for all her students, she is already our queen.

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