Bridging the Gap: Janiya Jaggers on Faith, Love, and the Art of Observation
Written by Daphne Bryant
21-year old dancer and teacher Janiya Jaggers leads with inspiration, passion and purpose. We first met her at the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final in Tampa, Florida, where we chatted about the deep spiritual core that drives her movement, love languages, and how staying open to every style—and every story—shapes her ever-evolving journey.
Janiya: I [was] born and raised in Chicago, also raised in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Daphne: You’ve said that Las Vegas taught you how to dance.
Janiya: Yeah, yeah.
Daphne: How would you describe the hip hop and overall street dance culture there?
Janiya: Well, Vegas is a melting pot, so it’s hard to say that Vegas has one culture. And because of that, I was able to [absorb] so many different perspectives, because everyone is from a different place. Hip hop meant a lot of different things to a lot of different people. And being young and absorbing that, and understanding that, I was like:‘ okay, I can be many things at the same time’. It really framed my identity as a dancer.
Daphne: Cool! I also heard that your first style was krump, but that you later fell in love with tutting. What is it that you enjoy about both styles?
Janiya: Krump is a worship-based style, so I feel very connected [to] my faith when I’m krumping. I think that’s why I was able to embody the spirit of it at a young age. And tutting…I was absolutely obsessed with the Jabbawockeez as a kid. I’m determined to use my hands the way they do. The hands are a point of conversation, [so they’re] really important within my movement. Both [styles] help me with whatever it is that I’m [doing]!
Daphne: Period. And what’s your training process like for Red Bull Dance Your Style?
Janiya: A lot of my preparation comes from my faith. Praying a lot, and understanding that none of it is about me, and it’s all about the powers that be. Training does so much, but I think absorbing perspective, absorbing music, absorbing other dancers, absorbing energy, just being very observant of my environment, helps me gain inspiration. So just being an observer is really my form of training on top of dancing. You know what I mean?
Daphne: That’s so cool. I love how much of it is connected to spirituality. And you said outside of dance, you have some other pursuits, other hobbies...I did read up on a few of them. The list really does go on. How do you balance dance with things like music or styling?
Janiya: It’s actually something I’m still learning. I don’t think I have my footing with the balance yet, but I think the beauty of the journey is finding the balance. I’m still very young. So I have so much time to figure out [what] works for me. I’m kind of in this limbo, but I’m okay with it. As I get older, it’ll be able to balance itself out naturally.
Daphne: For sure! Your personal style is so sick. Like, even today, I love how you put everything together. Where are some of your favorite places to shop?
Janiya: Hmm. Can I be honest with you?
Daphne: Be so honest with me.
Janiya: Every single thing that I wear, for the most part, are gifts from people.
Daphne: Gifts?
Janiya: I wear all of my gifts. My uncle made this beanie and gifted it to me. I got this from a dance camp, [and] this from a dance camp. My shoes were gifted from my sister.
Daphne: So cool!
Janiya: Yeah, like, everything’s a gift, and I don’t like to wear clothes based on how they look. I like to wear clothes [because they tell] stories. So, I know exactly where I got each piece that I have on. That’s where I shop, if that makes sense. That’s my way. And if it’s not gifted, then [it’s] thrifted. I like anything with a story.
Daphne: That is so sick. Would you say that’s your love language, is it gift giving?
Janiya: Like how I love people, or how I like to receive?
Daphne: Receive.
Janiya: I think it could be a form of gift giving,‘ cause love itself is a gift. I love effort. I love when someone cooks for me. You know, acts of service. I love when someone affirms me in friendships or romances, it doesn’t matter, and I think all of that is a form of gift giving. So, yes.
Daphne: I love that! And I ask because I’ve never heard someone say‘ most of the things that I wear are gifts.’ That’s so special. I’m gonna start doing that. I’m gonna start wearing my gifts more. I’m actually wearing one of them today, so shoutout Red Bull.
Janiya: Shoutout!
Daphne: What’s your favorite song or artist to listen to when you're training? Genre also works.
Janiya: I love Frank Ocean. I love Frank Ocean so much.
Daphne: My king.
Janiya: Literally. When I was in high school, [his music was a] way for me to feel a lot more open spiritually, just‘ cause everything was very vulnerable, and that’s [what] I shoot for: vulnerability. Vulnerability over quantity.
Daphne: What are your favorite Frank songs?
Janiya: Oh my gosh. Obviously“ Self Control” really shattered me. We can go as far as“ Pyramids.”
Daphne: Alright!
Janiya: “ Bricks and Steel”, anything that’s off of his, like, original SoundCloud albums. I’m an OG. I love Frank Ocean, let me tell you.
Daphne: Yes, yes. I love it! Last question for you. What doors do you want to open for yourself within the dance community? Where do you really see yourself growing and evolving in this space?
Janiya: Honestly, I think one of my missions is to bridge gaps. [It’s always]‘ You have to be a freestyler’ or‘ You have to be a choreographer.’ It’s always an or, not an and. So I want to be able to bridge gaps. I battle, I freestyle, I choreograph. And these [aren’t just] things I’m dipping my toe into, I’m doing these things at a high level. And it’s just working beyond me,‘ cause I never know who’s watching. Dance is not about the industry for me. It’s [all] about how I can give my vessel to God, and inspire someone to meet Him in a way, or meet themselves. I try to walk into this thing making it not about me at all, and about who someone’s supposed to meet in the process.
Daphne: That was perfect, thank you so much.
