An Interview With Milana
You’re incredibly talented at acrobatics and flips. How did you first get started, and where did you learn those skills?
I first got into acrobatics when I was about seven, after seeing Cirque du Soleil perform in Auckland. Their incredible tricks and flips totally inspired me, and I’ve been working on my own skills ever since. I’m mostly self-taught—I’ve spent countless hours watching tutorials and trick videos on social media, breaking down each movement step by step until I perfect it. I’ve also learned a lot from amazing performers online who share their acro and flexibility expertise. Most of my skills have come from studying videos, practicing consistently, and teaching myself new tricks over time.
Your turning is amazing — you can spin so many times! How did you develop that ability, and is it something you’ve practiced for a long time?
This ability mainly comes from persistence and disciplined training over the past few years. I am not a natural turner, so I have spent a lot of time breaking down the technique, improving my balance, and strengthening my ankles and core. With consistent practice, my turns have gradually improved, although I still have a lot to work on. My focus now needs to be on the quality of my turns rather than the quantity.
What styles of dance do you train in, and which one is your favourite?
I train in all styles except Tap. It’s a hard question, but I think lyrical is my favourite at this point in time, although it changes because I love them all. I enjoy lyrical because it’s very expressive and emotional, and I also love the technique and precision that the style allows.
How often do you train each week? What does a typical week of training look like for you?
I train almost every day in some form—whether it’s technique, flexibility, solos, or classes. I usually train for about two hours on Mondays and Tuesdays, and three hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Fridays are meant to be my rest day, but I often end up creating reels or doing strength work. On weekends, I focus on solo sessions and practice, and I also dance at school and create choreography. Clearly, I live for dance!
You’re also really active on TikTok sharing your spins and tricks. What do you enjoy most about posting your dancing online?
I love sharing my dancing online because it’s a way to connect with others who love to dance, and I get to see different styles of dance around the world. I feel it is really rewarding when people comment, share, or get inspired by what I post. This encourages me to work harder, especially knowing that others are watching. It drives me to keep improving, trying out new moves and being creative with my dancing. Being followed and noticed by my idols motivates me to keep challenging myself.
Your dancing must inspire a lot of younger dancers who watch you. What does it feel like knowing people look up to you?
It feels really rewarding and humbling to know that younger dancers look up to me. I love that my dancing can inspire others to keep practising, working hard, and following their passion—that’s actually how it all started for me. Honestly, it can feel like a bit of pressure sometimes, but I see it as a privilege. Being able to inspire others motivates me to keep improving, push myself further, and set a good example, both in technique and creativity.
What goals or dreams do you have for the future in dance or acrobatics?
My goals for dance are to keep improving my technique, strength, and artistry, and to continue exploring all styles in more depth. I hope to attend a full-time dance school for a year or so, and eventually get the chance to do a stint on a cruise ship, gaining experience performing professionally while continuing to develop my movement and performance quality.
When you’re not busy training, dancing, or filming TikToks, what do you like to do for fun?
I don’t get a lot of extra “me” time because balancing dance commitments and academics can be challenging. However, when I do get the chance to relax, I enjoy focusing on nutrition and health, so I enjoy making healthy bliss balls and baking. I also love choreographing and creating new pieces or moves, going for runs, and visiting the beach in summer. I also love traveling overseas with my family and experiencing different cultures.
