Stephan Mero is an ardent believer that dreams come true. Stephan, who grew up in Canada can’t remember a time when he didn’t envision himself as a dancer on stage, emoting his positive energy to the crowd. At twelve-years-old, he was invited to join Justin Bieber and dance onstage at a ScotiaBank Arena concert. Mero has made good use of the time since this 2016 experience, as evidenced recently in his performance as a featured dancer alongside global superstar Jennie of Blackpink at her highly anticipated solo debut during this year’s Coachella. In less than a decade, Stephan has taken big dreams of dancing in the global limelight to manifestation, powered by immense talent and a tireless work ethic. He credits that Bieber moment on one of Canada’s largest and most iconic stage for allowing him to glimpse “what could be” and fueling his path to performing alongside the international music stars of present day. He confirms, “There’s nothing quite like the energy of a live crowd and the knowledge that you only have one chance to give your absolute best. Performing in my hometown, on a major arena stage, alongside a global superstar at only 12 years old was incredibly inspiring and eye-opening. It marked my first time performing in front of an audience that size, under professional production conditions with lights, sound, and a full arena crowd. It left a lasting impression on me and became a defining memory early in my dance journey. It solidified my love for performing and made me even more determined to pursue dance professionally.”
The entry to auditioning for Jennie’s dancers was very scrutinizing. Only a handful of professional dancers were deemed viable for this all-important concert event. Some highly respected references as well as Stephan’s reel and versatility got him in the door but proving himself in person was solely on his shoulders. Being officially selected as one of the featured dancers was perhaps the easiest part of the entire process. Held at the famed CenterStaging Studios in Burbank, a full production set-up that mimicked the Coachella staging and lights allowed Jennie, the dancers, choreographers, and musicians to prepare themselves in every way for the debut.
Stephan describes, “The rehearsal process for Jennie’s Coachella performance was both intense and incredibly rewarding. We rehearsed for eight hours each day without a single break, which made the schedule physically demanding and mentally exhausting, but it was all worth it. Every day, we pushed ourselves to perfect transitions, facial expressions, and musical timing under the guidance of choreographers and creative directors. Despite how demanding the schedule was, with ten full days of nonstop eight-hour sessions, the energy and passion from the entire team made it an unforgettable experience. By the end, we had crafted a fully polished, high-energy performance that we were all proud to bring to the Coachella stage.”