'So You Think You Can Dance' Star Dassy Lee Steps Into the Red Bull Dance Spotlight

Photo credit: Maria Jose Govea.

Dassy Lee's dream came true when she was cast on the 14th season of "So You Think You Can Dance" and paired with All-Star Fik-Shun. The popper's dreams didn't end there though, she's had the opportunity to work with Calvin Harris and One Republic as well as creating with her all-female dance crew, Femme Fatale.

In the middle of the pandemic, which hit the dance community hard, Red Bull Dance came up with a way to support artists' career development with their new series, "The Floor." Lee is a part of their inaugural episode where she took on the creative direction of the episode. From directing to costumes and lighting, she embodied the four elements — earth, wind, fire and air — set to CloZee and LiL FiSH's "The Lost Voices" score.

Watch the full video interview with Dassy Lee

How did the opportunity to work on "The Floor" with Red Bull Dance come about?

As you know, last year was tough for a lot of dancers. To be honest, I was depressed and I didn't know what to do with my time. I was just doing whatever I could at home, and I was painting a lot. At the end of the year, Red Bull Dance reached out to me to collaborate on a project together. They wanted to put the idea together in an artistic way. So I started thinking about bringing the four elements to present my personality — earth, wind, fire and air.

How did it feel to have creative control of this project because dancers don't always have that opportunity?

"The Floor" project was a crazy learning experience for me, just like "So You Think You Can Dance" was about learning to dance for the camera. Since then, I've been working on a lot of projects with my crew, Femme Fatale, and we always hire the videographer and we work together. With "The Floor," it was great that I got to put my ideas in because dancers rarely get a voice. If I'm not doing the choreography, I rarely get that chance, so it was an amazing opportunity for me and it was really fun.

Watch Dassy Lee's Red Bull Dance episode of "The Floor"

Music choices are so personal to an artist when you were creating your own movement. What drew you to CloZee and Lil Fish's "The Lost Voices" score?

This music producer that I used was Lil Fish from Europe, and who collaborated with CloZee. I've been loving CloZee's music forever and I performed with her two years ago at Red Rock. Every time I listen to her songs, it gives me a lot of crazy, dope ideas. Her song is inspired by a lot of Asian instrumental music and nature vibes. With this project, I wanted to do nature, I wanted to dance in the ocean and the green jungle, and the music gave that feeling, so that's why I wanted to use this song.

Did working on this project inspire ideas for other video dance concepts?

My brain is always working. There are always ideas because during the COVID pandemic, I got to paint a lot and I want to have dancing and painting together somehow. I'm also getting back on the road and going to Austria for another Red Bull project. After that, I'll be with my group, Femme Fatale performing everywhere. We've been planning on doing an intensive program, which will be in April in a Zoom class, where we can teach and give feedback.

To learn more about Dassy Lee's experience with Red Bull Dance, who she stays in touch with from "So You Think You Can Dance" and her future career goals, watch the full video interview.

For more behind-the-scenes stories about the dance community, check out our recent interview with "Coming 2 America" assistant choreographer Kara Mack and her work in dances of the African Diaspora.

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