Break the Barrier
Hailing from traditional South Asian roots, I took on a nontraditional path with my passion project missioned to increase representation in mainstream media. Throughout my modeling journey, I've been blessed to be part of modeling campaigns for brands such as Express Fashion and Maison Margiela to walking the runway for New York Fashion Week and covering it as Press.
As I grew my platform, I realized so many of us are hesitant in taking that leap of faith because we don’t have visibility to the mentors or guides that we can look up to, ask questions to, or be our support system. As a result, many of us default to the traditional careers that our parents consider successful - but we may be left feeling unfulfilled. I want to take this mission to the next level and introduce successful and happy powerhouse voices in our community who are breaking barriers by pursuing full-time careers outside of what’s traditionally considered successful.
For our younger, current, and older generations: it is never too late to start again or dream a new dream. My mission is to show in a fun, lighthearted way that you can absolutely find happiness in a path less taken. This is my baby: Break the Barrier
Break the Barrier
Breaking Barriers Through Movement with Harini Nilakantan: Headliner for World of Dance and Champion of RedBull Dance Your Style Chicago
I’m so excited to be speaking today with Harini Nilakantan, an extraordinary dancer, movement artist, and choreographer whose journey spans continents and traditions. Originally from Chennai and now based in Chicago, Harini has spent over 20 years studying styles from the classical elegance of Bharatanatyam to the electric energy of Waacking, Hip Hop, and most recently baby-stepping into Chicago Footwork.
She has headlined World of Dance twice, is the lead choreographer for Movement of Desis, a competitive dance team in Chicago, and Program Head of Dance at Kalapriya.
What I love about Harini’s story is how seamlessly she moves between worlds—whether it’s her early debut in Bharatanatyam, her championship title at RedBull Dance Your Style, or her work building spaces for South Asian artists to thrive. Beyond performance, she’s a teacher, a leader, and the founder of a collective that pushes dance forward while staying deeply rooted in heritage. Today, we’ll talk about her path, the communities she’s building, and how dance can be both a personal expression and a powerful force for representation. Let’s get into it!
Welcome, Harini!
To reach Harini for mentorship, her email is: harininilakantan@gmail.com