With an adventurous travelling gene in her blood and a generous heart that gives more than it has to offer, Reina Hildalgo is making movements far and wide. To her, it’s simply being open to the energy that the universe offers her. To others, she is a rare miracle that - quite honestly - the dance world needs more of.

Entering the world on a boat travelling from Cuba to Miami during the Castro movement in 1980, Reina’s parents knew they created something special and worked hard to support their talented, no-fear spirited performer. Knowing at a young age that she wanted to dance professionally, she has turned her dreams into a reality and now shares the stage with superstars such as Rihanna, Pink, Missy Elliot, Miley Cirus, and Paula Abdul, just to name a few.

Mateo Magazine: You’ve been dancing since you were 5 and right after graduating in Miami, you moved to LA to pursue dance professionally. What made you move?

Reina: After attending a Performing Arts College, I thought I was going to go to Alvin Ailey because I knew that I wanted to be in NYC. But as soon as I started seeing videos with all these dancers (like Carmit, Lisette and Chonique, Teresa Espinosa), I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to dance with artists and LA was where this was all happening. The artists that inspired me the most were Janet and Michael, Pink, Paula Abdul and Madonna.

That was in 2002. Now your own tour with some big stars that aspiring pro dancers dream about. Have these jobs come easy to you?
I basically had to hustle. I took class every day all day, perfecting my craft and showing my face. I would be in Carnival, doing 4-5 pieces. I just stayed on the grind. That was my focus. I even did little jobs that would pay $75.00. I knew I didn’t come to LA to work a 9-5pm so that is what I had to do. Also, I had to keep a lot of faith.

Tell me more about that your faith.
After I got off my first tour in 2004 with Gloria Estefan, there was a halt with myself. When I got home, I wasn’t getting called for any jobs and my confidence was too high. I had to spiritually find myself and figure out ME before any other blessings would come through. It wasn’t that I wasn’t ready, it just wasn’t the right time.

What did you do next?
I worked on my look. I realized this is not Miami – this is LA and it’s a business. I began to understand that my look is not for every artist. I know that I can’t audition for certain artists like Beyonce. I’ve changed my look to fit a certain artist.

One artist that really accepts you for who you really are is Pink. When I was dancing with Pink, she allowed us to be us. ‘Love us. Love yourself’ she would say. As an artist, she pushed you. She was the one that really transformed me and allowed me to experience a breakthrough.

Wow. Pink is definitley a powerful artist! Most recently, you’ve participated in many performances and workshops for Charities (ie. Coming together for Haiti). Why is this so important to you?
I am a humanitarian. My nature is to give. I always love to give and get satisfaction when giving to people who don’t have what I have. It’s just one of those things. We don’t know what’s going on out there. We can get so caught up in the glitz and glam. I am blessed to travel and see people with minimal stuff and they are so happy. My dream is to raise money for every charity possible.

We are blessed to have this gift. It’s our gifts as artists to inspire and move people.

Artists do this and it comes from a special place … a place of creativity.
Creativity is a vessel and it’s this side of your brain that allows you to use your imagination. The feeling I get when I start creating is such a high; so stimulating. Seeing this thing (that starts off as a seed in your head) come to life, and then showing it to the world to get their reaction, is like no other.

That’s incredible. Are you thinking of doing more choreography?
Yes, I’m starting to transition down that road. I am working on some pieces. I want to continue to create and give back.

Well we will be here supporting you! Lastly, how do you think you’ve contributed to the dance world? What do you want to leave behind?
Dreams do come true. Stay on your path and work hard. Focus. All the blessings will come when the time is right. Since I’ve been back from tour, so many people have come up to me and I don’t even know who they are and they recognize me. People are following my work. I want to leave behind inspiration, hope, faith, joy, passion, hard work. I want to give back to the world peace of mind and joy. Yes, lots of joy.