Jean Julien Fabrice Gaspard, a dancer from Rodrigues, has won the 2026 edition of Red Bull Dance Your Style. The final took place at Tribeca Mall on September 26. Gaspard, also known as Dreadly Twinz or Zilien Gaspard, will now represent Mauritius in the international final in Zurich, Switzerland, on October 24. He has been dancing since he was 8 years old and has explored various styles, including afro, hip-hop, and contemporary.
Gaspard's love affair with dance began at a young age, and he soon turned his passion into a profession. He competed in several urban dance competitions and discovered Red Bull Dance Your Style, which requires contestants to connect with the audience and adapt to the music. Gaspard is thrilled to represent Mauritius internationally and is grateful for the opportunity to pursue his passion.
Another Rodriguais, Julio Pierre-Louis, has won the Slamizik competition, which was organized by the European Union in collaboration with Culture Event & Production. The final took place at Café du Vieux Conseil on September 25, with 10 contestants competing for the top spot. Pierre-Louis's winning slam, "Zoli ti pei saz," tackled topics such as drug use.
Pierre-Louis was inspired to try slam poetry by his brother, who also slams. He has been active in national slam competitions and wanted to participate in a new challenge. Despite initial doubts, Pierre-Louis submitted his application and was selected for the competition. He is now eager to continue writing and competing in slam events.
The Slamizik competition featured a panel of judges, including slammer Zainab Soyfoo, singer Lionkklash, and writer Shenaz Patel. The other winners of the competition were Ivans Lafleur, who came second, and Matthieu Loic Charles, who took third place. Kelly Ang-Ting Hone received a special prize.
Gaspard and Pierre-Louis are both excited about their future prospects. Gaspard will participate in workshops and events in Zurich before the international final, while Pierre-Louis plans to continue writing and competing in slam events. He wants to use his platform to discuss topics such as love and current realities.
The success of Gaspard and Pierre-Louis is a testament to the talent and creativity of Mauritian artists. They will represent Mauritius on the international stage, showcasing the island nation's rich cultural heritage. Their stories serve as an inspiration to aspiring artists and dancers.
Key points
- Jean Julien Fabrice Gaspard won the 2026 Red Bull Dance Your Style competition and will represent Mauritius in the international final in Zurich.
- Julio Pierre-Louis won the Slamizik competition with his slam "Zoli ti pei saz," which tackled topics such as drug use.
- Both Gaspard and Pierre-Louis are from Rodrigues and are excited about their future prospects in dance and slam poetry.
