92- Eseniia, Alexander & Marina Mikheev: From Moscow to America’s Got Talent—How a Dance Family Built a Child Star
Interview Date: April 6th, 2025Episode Summary:Eseniia is an 8-year-old dance prodigy originally from Moscow, now performing and training in the U.S., who rose to international attention after viral clips and a standout run on America’s Got Talent. In this episode Eseniia joins the Business of Dance with her parents—both dancers and teachers—to trace how a family training method, early multistyle exposure, and fearless play helped her develop an unusual musicality and stage confidence at a very young age.The conversation covers concrete career milestones (viral social repost by Chris Brown, TV appearances, America’s Got Talent semi-final run, performances on The Jennifer Hudson Show, World of Dance, and pro sports events), and pulls back the curtain on the business realities of kid stardom: music licensing on TV, TV logistics, schooling on set, NDAs, and the pace of post-show projects. Parents describe their methodic, high-touch approach—early rhythm exposure, mixed-style training, private lessons, and a careful balance of competitions versus performance/video work. Eseniia speaks about performing fearlessly, meeting judges, and dreaming bigger (Britain’s Got Talent; creating kids-only projects).This episode is perfect for parents of young performers, dance teachers, and anyone interested in how family, training, and the modern attention economy combine to shape child performers.Shownotes:(00:00) – Host intro; meet Eseniia and family.(02:10) – How the host discovered Eseniia at Playground LA.(04:25) – Parents’ backstory: university dance training, teaching methods.(08:00) – Early signs: Eseniia’s musicality before age one.(11:40) – Family training: mixed styles, fearless play, switching.(16:10) – First viral moment: Chris Brown reshared their video.(20:00) – America’s Got Talent experience; being six on TV.(31:30) – Behind the scenes: licensing, TV production realities.(40:20) – Current life: bilingual schooling, daily 5-hour practice.(52:45) – Advice for parents: invest, set goals, nurture talent.Biography:Eseniia Mikheeva is a rising star in the world of dance, captivating audiences from an early age with her charisma, sharp technique, and undeniable stage presence. Thanks to the support of her parents, Alexander and Marina Mikheev, she has become a symbol of youth hip-hop and an inspiration to families worldwide. Eseniia was raised in a creative environment. Both of her parents are professional dancers and educators. Her father, Alexander, specializes in hip-hop and street dance, while her mother, Marina, is not only a teacher but also an active mentor who helps Eseniia refine her skills, performance style, and artistic expression.Eseniia has already performed on major stages including America’s Got Talent, The Jennifer Hudson Show, and at high-profile sports events like NBA, WNBA, NFL Games, and games for the Atlanta Hawks. She’s danced in some of the nation’s biggest arenas, with her videos going viral and receiving praise from global celebrities. Beyond dance, the Mikheev family places a strong emphasis on education. They believe that intellectual development is a key part of long-term success. Eseniia studies through a flexible international program that allows her to balance academics with her thriving creative career. The Mikheevs are a powerful example of how love, discipline, and family support can nurture extraordinary talent.Connect on Social Media: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/esenya_miss
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