If you haven’t met Alaman Diadhiou yet, you will. The 16-year-old dancer is a contestant on NBC’s World of Dance, and he’s a lot more than that. As a dancer, singer, and actor, he’s no stranger to publicity, having been as featured in a Coca-Cola Super Bowl commercial and the Summer Olympics. Oh, he was also nominated for his performance as the lead in Twist: An American Musical.
In anticipation of the World of Dance premiere, we caught up with Alaman to chat about his experience on the show and what dance means to him.
Alaman Diadhiou
Alaman Diadhiou
Style: Tap: Solo
Category: Junior
From: Los Angeles, California
WOD: What was the best part of competing in World of Dance?
AD: The best part about competing on World of Dance was being able to go head to head with the best dancers in the world.
WOD: Who’s your favorite judge, and why?
AD: My favorite judge is J-Lo, as she has dominated the stage with her amazing performance for years.
WOD: What do you love most about dance?
AD: What I love most about dance is the feeling it gives people, be it me happily dancing alone or performing for others and making them feel my emotions.
WOD: Why do you think the world needs dance?
AD: I think the world needs dance right now, because dance is able to be understood across all cultures, and can connect people that could not connect otherwise, for example, through the means of language.
WOD: What 5 songs are you obsessed with right now/why?
1) “DNA” by Kendrick Lamar
I love this because he flexes his muscles, speaking about all the things that make him who he is inside his DNA. Kendrick is also a hometown LA kid like me, doing what he does in the name of our city.
2) “Come Closer ft. Drake” by Wizkid
I love dance hall and reggaeton music, which make me want to dance.
3) “Redbone” by Childish Gambino
It is funky and reminds me to “Stay woke!”
4) “River” by Leon Bridges
It is a beautiful song, which reminds me of my home.
5) “Teenage Fever” by Drake
He is singing about a deep personal connection he feels with another person—not to mention there is a J-Lo sample within the song!
WOD: Anything else before we go?
I dance because it is what I love to do, and I hope to serve as an example for other less fortunate kids that if they work hard on what they love, they can be excellent, and they will succeed in life. My message is, and always will be, to love yourself, and use that love to achieve greatness!
To keep up with Alaman, follow him on Instagram @alamonster and on YouTube at HypeBeastU.
Want more World of Dance awesomeness?
- Meet the NBC World of Dance Competitors
- Find Out How NBC World of Dance Works
- Watch J-Lo and Derek Hough Dance Battle
- Find Out Why Jenna Dewan Tatum Wants Her Daughter to Dance
- Join the #WorldofDanceChallenge for a Chance to Appear on the Show
Remember to tune into NBC’s World of Dance May 30th at 10/9 central to see the world’s best dancers battle it out for a whopping $1 million prize. (Here’s everything you need to know about the show, from the competitors to the rules, in case you’re out of the loop). Don’t miss exclusive interviews, performances, and more from the definitive source for all things NBC World of Dance.
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