Q&A With Paulette Minott

Have you always wanted to be a dancer?

Yes I have always wanted to be a dancer…I could never imagine doinganything else.

How did you get involved in dancing and how did you get as far as you have done?

I used to watch music videos and musicals that would come on at Christmas and wish that I could be one of the dancers. I went to dance college in the week and on the weekends I would go to Pineapple Dance Studios to do extra training. Every spare moment I had I spent practicing!

One day I was in a lesson and someone came up to me and asked if I would like to audition for a video so I auditioned and got the job! Then I joined a few dance agencies and luckily work started coming thick and fast. I started travelling all around the world, doing a lot of music TV shows and videos with artists which was incredible.

Whilst I was working as a backing dancer for Peter Andre, Sony music approached me to become choreographer to a new boy band, Another Level – depending on how old you are you may or may not have heard of them! That is when my choreography career started and it has been non stop since!

How much practice do you have to do?

I practice all the time. Even at this stage in my career, you can never stop learning new things. I practice freestyling a lot as it helps me to be creative. You should always keep working at it as there is always so many more things to learn – it’s like with Imagine Girl Band, a new DS game from Ubisoft, you must make sure you practice and learn songs and routines to make sure you are at the top of the charts!

Who are the most famous people you have worked with?

I’ve choreographed for stars such as Mariah Carey; Rhianna, Neyo, Sugababes, Victoria Beckham, Craig David, JoJo, Ja Rule, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Ashanti.

Where is the coolest place you have been to for your dancing?

The coolest place would have to be Brunei. I was lucky enough to go there to teach royalty how to dance – it was amazing and the palace was absolutely stunning!

What has been your career highlight so far?

It’s a bit boring I know, but I really couldn’t pick one! I love my job so much and everything really has been my highlight.

What are your top 5 songs to dance to at the moment? 

• Closer- Neyo
• Disturbia – Rihanna
• When I Grow Up – Pussy cat dolls
• Come On Girl  – Taio Cruz
• Hands In The Ayer – Flo rida

Do you have a favourite band?

I love every type of music and most bands (as I have had to dance and choreograph lots of different styles)…so no I don’t have a favourite

What is your favourite dance move?

I have so many! I really like pumping moves….like pumping your chest andpumping your booty!

We hear you are working on a great new Nintendo DS game, Imagine Girl Band. What instrument would you play if you were in a girl band? 

I would love to play the guitar… then I could play and still dance and jump around. But of course with Imagine Girl Band I play the guitar in the game, so doing both is easy!

Who would your ideal lead singer be in your own girl band?

My ideal lead singer in my girl band would be Rihanna.

How many people would you like in a band, what clothes would you wear, make up etc?

I would have 5 people in my girl band – a lead singer, drums, bass, guitar, and keyboard. We would wear edgy, but classy street style…no trainers, heels only!

I played with the Imagine Girl Band game the other day… and it was so much fun. What is so great about the game is that you can choose exactly what your band members wear so it is totally your own style that you love! I put together my own clothes and make up, creating a whole unique image for my band.

You can enter the virtual world of the music industry with the game and try to reach the top 10 in the charts whilst learning all the instruments along the way. I felt like I was really in a girl band – it is such a great game, so much fun!

Did you used to dance in front of the mirror in your bedroom?

I did yes! I used to dance in front of the mirror all the time…and I still do! I dance to anything, especially if it has a good beat.

Are you working with any girl bands at the moment?

Yes I am…but I can’t say the name as they are in the beginning stages of working together but watch this space for a brand new girl band in the next year or so!

You have been bullied in the past – how did you get over that and what advice would you give anyone suffering the same?

Yes I was bullied really badly at school and dance really helped me get through it as it brought me happiness and comfort when I wasn’t happy with myself. Once I started to dance, I felt respected and people appreciated me for my talent. Everyone just wanted to dance!

Did dancing help you build your confidence?

Yes it really helped with my confidence. I had been broken down by the bullies but dancing really built me up – I followed my dream and now I am the happiest I could ever be.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

If you want something, be prepared to work hard for it.

 What would you say to anyone out there who wants to become a dancer and choreographer like you?

I would say it’s a wonderful job, but make sure that you finish your studies and get your qualifications first. So many people want to be dancers or choreographers nowadays so it is very competitive and so important you have your education to fall back on.

A top tip from me would be to make sure you learn as many different dance styles as possible – the more styles you have under your belt the more your still will be influenced and you will stand out from the rest.

Imagine Girl Band is out now, priced £29.99 and is part of the Imagine range of Nintendo DS games from Ubisoft. To find out more, please visit www.yourimaginegame.com!