Orlando Lucas

From acting to dance, your career has been incredibly diverse. What first drew you to performing, and how did you balance both passions growing up?

What first drew me to performing was the Step Up movie—I remember watching it when I was really young and feeling completely inspired.  I fell in love with the whole street style of dance and really connected with the characters in the movie.   I immediately asked my parents if I could take hip hop classes, and that was the beginning of my dance journey. Around the same time, acting came into my life pretty naturally. My dad is an actor, and our family friend—who’s now my agent—noticed how outgoing I was and encouraged my parents to let me audition for a role that he thought I would be perfect for.  I booked it, and from there, acting became another huge passion.

I really enjoyed being on set, especially amongst adults.  I’ve always felt comfortable around adults and loved engaging with them. I liked making them laugh and making a good impression. I think that mindset helped me feel confident and mature at a young age, which made balancing both dance and acting feel exciting rather than overwhelming.

I’d go from dance classes and competitions to being on set or preparing for auditions. My dance training helped a lot with acting—it taught me discipline, how to take direction, and how to stay present in high-pressure situations. And being on set helped me as a dancer too, especially when it came to performing with emotion and connecting with an audience or camera. It never really felt like I had to choose one over the other—they both fuel the same love I have for performing and telling stories.

You’ve competed at the highest levels in dance, from the Canada Hip Hop Championships to the World Dance Crew Championships. What has been the most memorable moment in your dance journey so far? 

One of the most memorable moments in my dance journey was my very first time competing at the World Hip Hop Championships with my crew from Vancouver. It was the first time I truly experienced an international competition at that level—what many call the Olympics of hip hop dance. Over 50 countries compete just for a chance to make it to the finals stage, which is a huge honour in itself. That year, not only did we make it onto the finals stage, but we ended up taking the bronze medal. It was such an exhilarating experience and an unforgettable moment. That was the turning point that got me hooked on competing at the highest level.  It really cemented in me the notion that if you work hard at something it can pay off and is worth every once of blood, sweat and tears that you put into it.

A more recent highlight was winning the gold medal at the Upgrade Finals competition in Australia with my crew, Crew 24. This one was really special because the whole set was a choreography collaboration between all of us—we built it together. We ended up beating the reigning world champions, who had just performed that same routine at the World Hip Hop Championships a few months before. That win felt like such a high and a huge honour. It reminded me of how powerful collaboration can be when you’re part of a crew that truly trusts each other and pushes together for greatness.

Joining Identity Dance Company (IDCO) and Crew 24 has been a huge step in your career. What inspired your move to New Zealand, and how has this experience shaped you as a dancer?

While competing at the World Hip Hop Championships, I met the silver medalist crew from New Zealand and was instantly inspired by their level, creativity, and unity. I looked up to them and knew right away that once I graduated high school, I wanted to audition to be part of their team IDCO.   I had already discovered that New Zealand had an incredibly collaborative and innovative hip hop dance community—one that embraced fresh styles like Krump,  Glitching /  Iso and intricate musicality in a way I hadn’t seen before. I knew that if I wanted to grow and continue competing and performing at the highest level, I needed to fully immerse myself in that environment.

Making the move to New Zealand, joining Identity Dance Company and forming Crew 24 with the friends I had met at World Hip Hop Championships has truly changed my life. The training is intense, the expectations are high, and the work ethic of the dancers around me pushes me to bring my absolute best every single day. I’ve learned more than I could have imagined—not just about dance, but about discipline, collaboration, and what it takes to succeed in this industry. I’ve had the chance to collaborate with and be mentored by some of the best dancers and choreographers in the world. I’ve also had the opportunity to contribute in ways that feel really meaningful—like being asked to create a House choreography segment for our Identified showcase in Australia, which brought a style I learned in Canada into a whole new space.

Taking that leap to move halfway across the world felt like a big risk at the time, but it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my growth as both a dancer and a person.

You’ve worked alongside legendary actors like Sandra Bullock and Viola Davis. What was it like sharing the screen with them, and what did you learn from those experiences?

It was honestly surreal. Being on set with Sandra Bullock and Viola Davis—two absolute legends—was such an incredible learning experience.  The film was The Unforgivable where I played the son of Viola Davis and Vincent D’Onofrio.  One of the most memorable moments was being part of a heated scene between Sandra Bullock and Viola Davis. Watching these two iconic actresses  perform up close and seeing how they carried themselves on set taught me so much.

What stood out the most was their ability to fully embody their characters, even in between takes. They were so present and in control, yet still incredibly kind and generous with everyone around them. I was pretty young at the time, but they made me feel seen and included, and that gave me a lot of confidence.

Just being in that environment—working with actors I’ve looked up to for so long—showed me the level of focus and emotional depth it takes to truly deliver a powerful performance. It made me want to raise my own standard, not just as an actor but also in how I approach performance in general, even in dance. That experience really stuck with me and continues to inspire how I show up in every role, on set or on stage.

Acting and dance require different skill sets. Do you approach preparing for a film or TV role differently than training for a dance competition?

Definitely. Acting and dance are so different, but both require intense focus and preparation. When I’m preparing for a film or TV role, I spend a lot of time thinking about the character—who they are, what they care about, how they move and speak. I like to build out their whole personality, even down to little things like what their favorite food might be or what kind of music they listen to. That helps me step into their shoes and make the performance feel real. I usually rehearse with my dad, who’s also an actor and has coached me since I was a kid, or I’ll read with my sister and bounce ideas around with her.

With dance competitions, the approach is more physical but just as intense. There’s hours and hours of training and repetition, pushing your body and your stamina to the max, especially when you’re competing at the world level. It’s about precision, musicality, and being in sync with your crew. But there’s also emotion and storytelling in dance too—so in a way, they overlap. Dance has actually helped me in acting because it taught me how to take direction, perform under pressure, and express emotion through movement. And acting has helped my dance performances feel more alive and connected.

So I definitely approach them differently, but both are about connecting to the audience and telling a story – whether it’s with words or movement.

Your social media presence has skyrocketed, with nearly 2 million followers on TikTok. How do you use platforms like TikTok and Instagram to connect with your audience and showcase your artistry?

Social media has been such a huge part of my journey as a dancer and performer. I use platforms like TikTok and Instagram not just to showcase my choreography, but to really connect with my audience in a personal way. I always try to show my personality—whether it’s through behind-the-scenes moments, fun challenges, or even just being goofy—because I think it helps my followers feel like they really know me.

I love engaging with my fans. I reply to comments, listen to their requests for songs or dance styles, and take their feedback seriously. They’re the reason I’ve been able to grow the way I have, and I never take that for granted. I want them to feel seen and appreciated.

I also do live streams where I let people see my process while I’m choreographing a more serious piece. Sometimes I even create fun TikTok choreography live with my fans, and they’ll give input on what moves they think should come next. It makes them feel like they’re a part of the creative process—and they actually are! It’s always so much fun.

I think being authentic is what really builds that connection. I’m not just posting polished final takes—sometimes I’ll share the bloopers, or talk about how many takes it took to get a video right. It’s all about keeping it real and letting people into my world a little bit. That’s what makes social media such a powerful tool—not just for growing a platform, but for building a real community.

You’ve competed and won against some of the top dance crews in the world. What goes into preparing for a major competition, and how do you handle the pressure of performing on a global stage?

Preparing for a major competition is intense. It’s not just about rehearsing the choreography—we train for hours every day, building stamina, cleaning every move, and making sure the energy is sharp and consistent. In the final weeks before a competition, it becomes a full-time commitment. We’re pushing ourselves to the max physically, mentally, and creatively. It’s about teamwork, discipline, and finding that perfect balance between individual performance and crew unity.

And honestly, I definitely get nervous before going on stage. That feeling never really goes away. But I’ve learned how to take those nerves and turn them into fuel. Fight or flight definitely kicks in—and I choose fight every single time. As soon as the music starts and I step onto that stage, all the fear turns into adrenaline. It’s like the performance just bursts out of me. I give it everything I have, and that release of energy becomes one of the biggest highs I’ve ever felt.

It’s an incredible feeling to stand on a global stage and pour your heart into a routine that you and your team have worked so hard on. There’s nothing like it. That pressure, that rush, that moment—it’s why I do this.

Collaboration is key in both acting and dance. Can you share a moment where teamwork played a crucial role in achieving success?

Honestly, every routine we perform as a crew is a lesson in teamwork. If you look at our sets, every move has to be perfectly in sync for the choreography to hit the way it’s supposed to. It’s never just about one dancer—it’s about the entire crew moving as one.

One of the best examples of this was when Crew 24 won the gold medal at the Upgrade Finals competition in Australia. That entire routine was a full collaboration between me and my teammates—we all had a hand in choreographing different sections, so it truly felt like a shared vision. It wasn’t just about individual skills; it was about how we worked together as a unit to create something powerful.

Another huge part of teamwork is trust—especially when we perform tricks, which is one of my specialties. There are moments where I have to rely on my crew to catch me or sync up perfectly with my flips and ground moves. If even one person is off, the whole trick can go wrong. But because we train so hard together, we build that trust and confidence in each other. That’s what makes our performances hit so hard.

With your growing influence, what advice would you give to young dancers and actors who aspire to break into the entertainment industry?

The biggest piece of advice I can give is to stay consistent and put in the work. Talent will only get you so far—your work ethic, dedication, and resilience are what will separate you from the rest. Whether it’s dance or acting, you have to keep training, keep improving, and always be ready for opportunities when they come.

Another key thing is to put yourself out there. The industry is competitive, but social media has given artists an incredible platform to showcase their skills. Don’t be afraid to post your work, connect with others, and collaborate with like-minded creatives. Some of my biggest opportunities have come from networking and working with others who share my passion.

Also, be patient. Success doesn’t happen overnight. There will be setbacks, rejections, and moments of doubt, but if you truly love what you do, you have to push through those tough times. Keep learning, keep growing, and never lose the passion that made you want to start in the first place.

What’s next for you? Are there any exciting projects, competitions, or acting roles we can look forward to seeing you in soon?

What’s next for me is incredibly exciting! Right now, we’re gearing up for our biggest competition to date—the World Dance Crew Championship finals in Auckland, New Zealand, from April 13 to 19. I’ll be competing in the Open Super Group category with IDCO and in the Adult category with Crew 24. We’re going up against some of the best teams in the world, like The Royal Family from New Zealand and S-Rank from the United States. This is such a huge opportunity, and we’re putting in everything we’ve got to rank among the top teams. It’s going to be an intense and exciting week!

On top of that, I’ve got two big dance performances lined up in Los Angeles this summer. I can’t reveal too much yet since it hasn’t been released, but definitely keep an eye out for IDCO in LA. It’s going to be a game-changing moment for us, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve been working on!

As I move forward, I’m focusing on taking my career to the next level—balancing dance and acting, and embracing the opportunities that come with it. The future is looking bright, and I’m beyond excited for what’s coming next!