Overcoming Early Doubts in the Studio (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Lauren Gottlieb, the American dancer who found her calling in India’s vibrant entertainment scene, has long embodied the transformative power of movement. On World Dance Day, she opened up about the unlikely path that turned a reluctant seven-year-old into a performer who once auditioned for Michael Jackson’s tour. Her story highlights how persistence and passion reshaped a career across continents.
Overcoming Early Doubts in the Studio
Gottlieb began dance classes in the United States at age seven, but the experience proved challenging from the start. She felt behind her peers, who already grasped the routines, and often left sessions in tears, pleading with her mother to quit. Her mother, having committed to the full year, encouraged her to persevere.
That persistence paid off during her first recital. As she stepped off stage, a spark ignited, filling her with excitement her mother immediately noticed. From that moment, dance consumed her world. She immersed herself in jazz, hip hop, ballet, tap, and contemporary, lingering after classes to observe rehearsals and even helping clean the studio. This dedication transformed the space into a personal sanctuary, forging the discipline that defined her future.
Encounters with Legends and Indian Breakthroughs
Training rigorously stateside led Gottlieb to “So You Think You Can Dance,” where she tackled unfamiliar ballroom and Latin styles as a novice once more. Her career took a bold turn in India, debuting in Remo D’Souza’s “Any Body Can Dance” and shining on “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.” Bollywood and classical forms presented fresh hurdles, yet she adapted swiftly.
Among her most cherished memories stands a meeting with Michael Jackson. She auditioned for his final tour amid 1,500 competitors, narrowing down to the final 30 dancers before performing in front of him and shaking his hand. In India, Madhuri Dixit emerged as a profound influence, admired for her class, beauty, elegance, and all-around artistry as a dancer and actress.
Balancing Trends, Tours, and Dream Partnerships
Gottlieb recently navigated the shift in dance culture, where social media virality often eclipses formal training. She views this as a double-edged sword: bedroom videos can launch careers overnight, yet sustaining success demands the technique and professionalism honed through years of practice. Her own tour with Honey Singh tested this, requiring onstage improvisation rooted in solid foundations.
At the 61st Femina Miss India Finale, she delivered a demanding six-minute routine prepared in just two days and connected with Ishaan Khatter. The two exchanged messages, and she expressed enthusiasm for a potential collaboration, praising his experimental spirit akin to his brother Shahid Kapoor. Among choreographers, Prabhudeva tops her wishlist. She prefers projects blending her dancer-actor identities.
Key Aspirations:
- Collaborate with Ishaan Khatter on a dance-infused venture.
- Partner with Prabhudeva for choreography.
- Deepen acting pursuits after New York training.
From Ensemble Player to Visionary Creator
Beyond dance, Gottlieb has pursued acting in films like the “ABCD” series and her Punjabi entry “Ambarsariya” opposite Diljit Dosanjh. She invested two years at a New York acting university, matching the intensity of her dance regimen. Still, she senses untapped potential in this realm.
Now, after contributing to high-profile moments like the Oscar performance for “Naatu Naatu,” Gottlieb seeks to originate projects. She has shifted from last-minute bookings to proactive meetings, leveraging her experience in major arenas to build from the ground up. Dance remains her deepest connection – to her soul, the earth, and the universe – proving an irreplaceable force in her evolution.
