129: Alicia Mae Holloway - Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Victoria Secret, People Magazine

Interview Date: April 12th, 2026

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Business of Dance Podcast, Alicia Mae Holloway shares her extraordinary journey from a small-town competition dancer in West Virginia to building a multifaceted career in ballet, commercial dance, modeling, acting, and social media. She reflects on knowing from the age of three that dance was her purpose, and how that conviction led her to leave home at just 13 years old to pursue elite ballet training. From earning a full scholarship to the School of American Ballet to landing her first professional contracts, Alicia’s story is one of deep faith, resilience, and bold commitment to her dreams.

Alicia also opens up about the realities of a long professional career: painful auditions, injuries, rejection, career pivots, and the mental challenges that dancers face when their identity is tied so closely to performance. She shares how Dance Theatre of Harlem shaped her artistry, how social media unexpectedly expanded her career, and why authenticity matters more than perfection in today’s entertainment world. Her advice to young dancers is both practical and inspiring: stay true to yourself, embrace being multidimensional, and remember that rejection is often redirection.

Top 10 Show Notes

1. 3:58 — Alicia knew dance was her calling

2. 6:17 — West Virginia scholarship changed everything

3. 9:35 — Moved away from home at 14

4. 14:21 — Worst audition led to first contract

5. 19:49 — Six-hour audition booked Dance Theatre Harlem

6. 21:17 — Mentor predicted her DTH future

7. 27:40 — TikTok consistency sparked massive growth

8. 35:45 — Talent plus visibility creates more opportunities

9. 57:05 — Rejection is redirection, not the end

10. 1:09:14 — Dance for yourself, not approval

Biography:Alicia Mae Holloway is from Morgantown, West Virginia and began dancing when she was three years old at Kat and Company Dance Studio. In 2007, Alicia began taking classes at Morgantown Dance Studio. She also trained at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts before attending the School of American Ballet from 2011–2015. Alicia has attended the Boston Ballet Summer Dance Program, as well as Pacific Northwest Ballet.

She began her professional career dancing with the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and completed seven seasons with the Dance Theatre of Harlem where she has worked with Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, and Gladys Knight. She has shot music videos with Grammy award–winning artist KEM, as well as JAGMAC and Eryn Martin, and can be seen in Google commercials, Maybelline commercials, and in Glamour Magazine’s November issue, as well as an online feature of Who Wore What, and most recently, has a story live now with PEOPLE Magazine regarding her audition process and training with the Rockettes. In 2023, Alicia appeared on the cover of PEOPLE, further expanding her national visibility.

Alicia was also the Lead Principal Dancer in Josh Bergasse’s Sugar Hill: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker, bringing new life to the iconic reimagining of the classic ballet.

She has served as the co-chairwoman of the School of American Ballet’s Visiting Faculty Program and was a Princess Grace Award nominee. Alicia was cast as The Lady in a Yellow Dress in the revival of Broadway’s show CONTACT, by Susan Stroman.

In addition to her dance career, Alicia models for American Eagle, Aime Leon Dore, and Victoria’s Secret. She filmed her first movie last year-dancing and acting in Man With the Bag, directed by Adam Shankman.

Connect on Social Media:

Instagram: Https://www.instagram.com/aliciamaeholloway_/?hl=en

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aliciamaeholloway?lang=en