welcome the one and only Ivy Mugler to The Smart + Hot Podcast 🪽 💖 🧡
A homegrown talent of the New York ballroom scene, Ivy Mugler’s dance journey began in the footsteps of her parents—former members of The Paradise Garage—where she was immersed in the culture from an early age and soon introduced to voguing.
She is best known for her work on Madonna’s Celebration world tour as a featured soloist, dancer, Vogue instructor, and co-choreographer of Vogue (featuring Beyoncé), mastering all styles of voguing under the guidance of legendary pioneers. She is also trained classically in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop with Eleve Dance Theatre.
Her dynamic talent has led to collaborations with global brands like Telfar, Steve Madden, and Adidas, with her work showcased in campaigns worldwide. In 2024, Ivy was named one of the top 16 all-style freestylers in the world and competed in the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals in Mumbai, India.
✨ about this episode:
Ivy joins The Smart and Hot Podcast to delve into her evolution as a dancer and artist, sharing the highs and low of making a name for herself in the world of ballroom and voguing. She reflects on early influences, the necessity of creating your own spaces as a visionary artist, and the delicate balance between embodied confidence humility.
She takes us through her journey from passionate young dancer to choreographing for Madonna — exploring the triumphs of her artistic career — highlighting the importance of personal growth, discipline, and well-being in sustaining creativity.
She also opens up about the realities of fame and becoming an overnight success (in the most literal of ways), the challenges of injury, and the grounding routines that keep her connected to both herself and her artistry.
Emphasizing the power of individuality in seemingly competitive and congested creative spaces, Ivy shares invaluable advice for aspiring artists looking to carve their own path.
Currently, Ivy is partnering with MoMA PS1 to curate The Gotham Ball, a performance art piece inspired by the Don Christian Jones exhibition, premiering on March 29, 2024.
THANK YOU IVY, WE F*CKING LOVE YOU 🎀
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🎀 chapters
01:26 defining smart and hot
02:48 navigating being seen
04:45 cultivating spaces and narratives in the ballroom scene
06:46 balancing humility and confidence
08:28 early influences and dance journey
14:25 the true impact of overnight fame
17:40 the reality of artistic life
19:03 representing in the freestyle world
22:41 the highs and lows of performance
25:45 creating a grounded routine
28:51 morning rituals and self-care
32:02 exploring movement beyond dance
33:51 lessons from injury and recovery
43:08 from dreams to reality: the Madonna effect
45:50 choreographing for icons: the Vogue experience
50:12 growth through challenges: the dance of life
55:55 finding stability: health and personal growth
01:06:05 embracing the unknown: a new era of creativity
01:15:48 advice for creatives: embracing struggle and individuality