“[ Jill ’ s ] dance skills were sky high […] she just needed to work on her belly dance !”
Meanwhile , the Bellydance Superstars were bringing a new vigor to belly dance in the United States . In the center of it all were the Sahlala Dancers , who were gigging professionals in L . A . and also a large part of the Bellydance Superstars cast . Jill came into her own as a belly dancer in the heart of this trend , taking classes every day that she wasn ’ t rehearsing with Sahlala and consuming books and DVDs about international dances . She wanted to grow as quickly as possible .
Even though the Bellydance Superstars phenomenon was not too long ago , many things have since changed for belly dance in L . A . Without a touring , professional dance company to look up to , the belly dance scene as it currently exists does not have a clear path for people who want to pursue a fulltime dance career as a performer . L . A . is a place where one can paradoxically feel welcomed but also cast you aside – like interacting with a cat . For Jill , the Sahlala Dancers offered an oasis that has become even more rare in the post-pandemic world – an opportunity to support herself in dance and a built-in sisterhood with like-minded women .
With Jillina ’ s departure from L . A ., in tandem with a global pandemic and its ravages on the entertainment industry , belly dance in L . A . is having to rebuild . And indeed , slowly but surely , gigs are returning , the famed teachers are emerging from behind their webcams , and the venues that survived are reopening their doors . While the beating heart of dance and entertainment in L . A . never wavered , the scene is reshuffling , realigning , and rediscovering its values . Taking her place at the forefront is Jill , who has embraced the lofty job of continuing the legacy of the Sahlala Dancers
Jill Collins - Costume by Joharah Cauger - Photo by Aleks Malczewski
while looking towards creating a new , elevated place for belly dancing in L . A .
I spoke with Jill over Zoom and asked her frankly : “ What is the most important thing to you about Sahlala ?” She petted
Miss Asia America Pageant 2014