"WE ARE BEAUTIFUL"

This spring we teamed up with Dr. Martens to create a unique project.

Jhaya Caupenne

The third of four to be introduced.

ballroom name: JHAYA 007
category: Vogue Fem
pronouns: they/them

THE BALLROOM SCENE ORIGINATED IN THE 1960's AND GREW TO PROMINENCE IN THE BLACK AND LATINX LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITIES IN HARLEM, NYC.

A short performance interview, 3/5 in a series of a video and photo project called “WE ARE BEAUTIFUL”⁠

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Celebrating communities and their strength. Honoring the LGBTQIA+ community. ⁠

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This performance interview has been realized
in collaboration with
@drmartensofficial and ⁠@monar_antwerp
with special thanks to ⁠@lynnandries
produced and directed by ⁠@indiraoskanova
camera ⁠ @ceuppensbrecht
photographed by ⁠@volt._photography
styled by @larsmathijs
MUAH @stev.hairandmakeup
and assisted by the lovely @jvnxce and @evelien_vde.⁠
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#drmartens #monarantwerp
#belgianballroomscene
#voguing #lgbtqia+

"Ballroom came into my life when I needed it the most and it allowed me to accept myself, to be able to grow and feel beautiful and proud of myself. "

ABOUT JHAYA 007

Q: TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF

A: My name is Jhaya, I am 25 years old. I first learned about ballroom 3 years ago. I'm non-binary and my pronouns are they/them. My ballroom category is "Vogue Fem".

Q: HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE BALLROOM?

A: For me, ballroom is a place where I feel like I belong. It's a community where I can really grow, feel validated and accepted. It's also a safe space for queer people of color. And that's why I definitely feel good in this community.

Q: HOW DID BALLROOM INFLUENCE YOUR LIFE?

A: Before I knew about ballroom I was kind of lost. I didn't feel good about myself and my body and I felt like I needed a point of reference and people to look up to. Ballroom came into my life when I needed it the most and it allowed me to accept myself, to be able to grow and feel beautiful and proud of myself.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR MISSION IN BALLROOM? ARE THERE GOALS YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?

A: This is a very personal mission but I would really like to see more ballroom in Africa, more specifically in Ivory Coast. It would be amazing if I could bring a little ballroom to the city of Abidjan. I know there are a lot of people who would love it and who already do, but they don't really know where to go with it. So for me, my mission would be to share this safe space with people who have experienced the same situations as me or even worse, and to give them this tool that helps them move on with their life, feel more accepted and feel less alone.

The Ballroom Bible: (some) terms explained

Category: Categories are created based on various themes, skills, and techniques. Some are open to all performers to compete in, depending on the type of ball.

Vogue Fem: A dance style that adds a twist to femme queen technique. Execution can be very soft or severe.

The Ball: An event where competitors face off against their rival houses for money and glory.

House: An organization within the ballroom community that serves as a system of support, provides resources, and enters and throws balls. A traditional house is headed by a mother and father of the house.