Confessions with Giulia Stabile

Giulia Stabile is 21 years old and the first female dancer to win the Amici 2020. A friend of Antonio Spinelli, the only Italian dancer on the Motomami tour, she shared her journey and what it means to be a dancer today. "When I was three and a half, I was in a restaurant with a dance floor watching Steve dance and I couldn't stop following him! He advised my parents to take me to a nearby dance school, ABR, where I grew up and graduated in 2021. "Talking to a professional dancer isn't only about understanding the emotions behind the endless interpretations of our bodies, but also what happens behind the scenes that are invisible in the entertainment world. "When people see a performance, they often don't think about all the work that goes behind it. By that I don't just mean the work of the dancer, who may have spent hours rehearsing and sewing the piece themselves, but everyone who makes the performance possible, from the choreographer to the technicians. Without them, no one would have the opportunity to perform!"

Credits Amici di Maria De Filippi

We met Giulia on the last Friday in July. Her energy, sincerity and spontaneity overwhelmed us in a week when we were all equally crushed by the climate emergency. It's not an easy comparison, but it's safe to say that we're all going through a challenging historical period. So what can we do when a situation affects our lives so much? "I think just thinking that everyone is going through a difficult time helps you not to feel alone. So the most important thing is to be aware that we aren't alone. That's why just talking to someone else can be a good solution." Giulia talks openly about her vulnerabilities, including the bullying she experienced from the beginning at school. But Giulia's case isn't an isolated one. "I advise everyone to talk to someone, be it a parent, a friend or an uncle. It's not only important to get a grip on the situation, but also to have some kind of compass to get you back on track when the 'monsters' that haunt your mind become real to you. As far as school is concerned, I wasn't protected. I hope my case was an exception, but from what I read and hear, I realise that schools still focus mainly on cultural education and neglect the human aspect. I hope that more attention is paid to that, because in most cases that's where it all starts."

Credits Amici di Maria De Filippi

Just a fortnight ago, Giulia had her first dance class with Samuele Segreto and Alessio Cavaliere. "I don't consider myself a teacher at all. Rather, the moment I experienced in this class was a kind of exchange between me and the other dancers. I went into the room with a lot of thoughts because I wanted to go in knowing I could really give something, so I already had everything prepared in my head. Incidentally, I think teaching is a kind of gift. I don't think you can call everyone a master in the true sense of the word. That seems like a huge word to me. By the way, of course I studied, I've a diploma, so I could teach. But that's something I don't do voluntarily."

Credits Amici di Maria De Filippi

I don't know about you, but for September we've already written down a lot of new resolutions, challenges and experiences to try. Watching Giulia makes you want to dance. But what if you want to approach this world as an adult? "My advice isn't to be ashamed, because that's what holds you back the most. I mean, there are probably a lot of people who say to me, 'I'm old, I'd like to try to start dancing, but I don't know.' In reality, there are many dancers, even strong ones, who started dancing very late, like Vasquez, Rosalía's dancer. It's also possible that someone just wants to dance out of passion, so there's no reason to be afraid. If you want to pursue this career as a profession, it might be a bit more difficult. But never say never. I believe that with commitment, passion and love, you can achieve anything." And also with the body. "In my relationship with my body, sometimes there are disagreements, as in all relationships. Everyone has their own insecurities, right? I realise that for me it sometimes represents a kind of insecurity that I carry around with me, even though I know and feel lucky that, as far as the dance world is concerned, I fit into this aesthetic canon."

As a professional dancer and TV presenter, Giulia knows exactly how to deal with the pressures and norms in the dance world. "I always set myself small and big goals that I try to achieve every day. So maybe I put myself under pressure. Maybe it's not the dance standards, but it's my dance standards. I always try to be a good example, but I'm also aware that I can't afford to make the smallest mistake, which often isn't even a mistake, but is seen as one." Meanwhile, Giulia is at home in Amici. "I don't really have any rituals. I've been working at Amici for three years, and my rituals were born there. Every time before I go on stage I have to give Andrea, the studio manager, a huge hug. I remember the day of my first performance when he asked me if I wanted to punch him to blow off steam, and I replied, 'What punch? I can hug you instead.'" She continues, "This summer I performed on two live stages and it was great, a completely different adrenaline rush than in the TV studio. On TV I feel almost more comfortable now because I feel more aware and better able to handle the situation, psychologically as well. In my first year as a professional, I always felt very excited and under pressure, and I felt like I couldn't make any mistakes. In my second year I felt very different, much more aware and mature. I also had a lot more fun on stage. When I stepped on the live stages this summer, it was a completely different feeling. I can't say for sure which I like better, probably because I need to really experience those moments to understand it."