Lourdes “Lola” Leon is known for her eclectic, genre-blending sound and her fearless approach to creativity. But behind her musical evolution, there is a deeply personal journey that began with dance. In a recent interview with i-D, the musician and model opened up about a pivotal moment in her life.
The singer shared an important moment in her career, where she realized that ballet was no longer her path, a decision that shaped her future in music. While ballet was her primary discipline even during her young years, she admitted that it was not emotionally fulfilling.
“I grew up doing ballet until I was 19, and when I went to [SUNY] Purchase, I discovered modern dance, and it changed my life because I knew I didn’t want to be a ballet dancer, I wasn’t emotionally connected to it,” she told the publication.
It was at college, where she began exploring new forms of movement, that Lourdes had a breakthrough. She discovered modern dance, which sparked a deep transformation.
Her journey took another turn when she discovered Gaga dance, a sensory-based technique created by Ohad Naharin, the artistic director of the Batsheva Dance Company. Gaga emphasizes improvisation and pushing the body, which is different from the structures of traditional ballet.
“I started doing Gaga dance, which is a technique that Ohad Naharin created. It’s a sensory-based improv where you are pushing your body to every limit it can possibly go, and giving yourself no limitations,” she explained.
For the musician and artist, dance and music are linked. “I think dance and music are synonymous,” she said during the interview. She also has a different approach to creating music, outside of the pressure that pushes artists to succeed at a mainstream level.
“I feel like that’s something lost in music—just working with people because you actually want to,” she explained. “Hanging out, vibing, and then creating something wonderful together.”