On March 23, I had the incredible opportunity to be a part of the performance team for Will Smith’s show at the Concacaf Nations Soccer League Final (Panama vs Mexico) at SoFi Stadium. It was an experience like no other, one that I hadn’t even considered until my dad offered me a position as a volunteer. While it may not have paid me in cash, the experience was priceless.
To start with how I even heard about this job opportunity, my family is very big (or at least should be) in the entertainment world. Dancers, choreographers, producers, creative design, stage management, world tours, you name it, and they’ve done and been to it before. My dad was originally the one on the team first, but there was a problem with the number of members on the performance. There weren’t enough people for such a big field at first. Even with all the dancers, it didn’t make up enough space to make the field feel “full”, the production team started looking for extras (people who are usually in the background fill the areas in movies, music videos, and sometimes games).
This shortage of available people and need for almost random volunteers led my dad to ask another person with dance experience near my age named Izaia, and me to come along and gain the experience. Since we both have some feet in the dancing world background, we would help lead the new extras around the dance performance. Although what I was told was my dad waking me up at 2:47 am and asking me half asleep, so maybe I subconsciously answered, but who knows … except my dad.
I remember stepping into the rehearsal space on the first day, feeling excitement and nerves. We started learning the opening routine to the “Men in Black” song. Initially, we had a lot of choreography to work with, but we had to trim it down as we progressed. With only about 20 to 30 of us on the team instead of the expected hundred, the focus was intense. We spent six hours a day working on our positions, coordinating movements, and rehearsing until our feet ached—just like the soccer players preparing to defend their title.
Being part of the production team opened my eyes to what my dad does and how much effort goes into these performances. It felt like I had stepped out of my small corner and into the real world. On the second day, the moment I had been waiting for arrived: Will Smith himself. Although we didn’t get much time with him, just being in his presence was electrifying. Most of us were kids around my age, either from dance companies or fresh out of school. I made a lot of friends and started sharing my experience on Instagram, documenting my visceral moments.
Finally, the third day arrived. It was time to show up and show out. With 70,000 fans in the stadium, the pressure was on. Before we performed, our team gathered in the lounge for a final rehearsal. Will Smith walked over, and we got to introduce ourselves—high fives all around! As we lined up in our black suits and glasses, the anticipation built.
When the music started, I felt a rush of nerves wash over me. We waited patiently, motionless, until the cue in my earpiece finally came. Then, it was our time to shine. We danced our hearts out, surrounded by flames and music. In that moment, everything else faded away; all that mattered was the dance. The crowd roared, and we matched their energy with our excitement.
As the performance concluded, I felt a mix of elation and disappointment. I had missed the chance to take a personal photo with Will Smith, which bummed me out. But then, a clear camera shot of me right in front of him while singing was sent to me. It turned out that not only had I experienced something amazing, but I also had the best seat in the house to brag about.
Reflecting on this journey, I realized how much it has shaped my passion for dance. The camaraderie with my fellow performers and the thrill of the live crowd have deepened my appreciation for this art form. I can’t wait to see where my passion for dance takes me next! This experience has shown me the power of pursuing dreams and the joy that comes from sharing art with others.
