Exclusive Interview • Updated Profile

Ashley Cruz: From the South Bronx to the Super Bowl — Staying True to Who You Are

A 20-year-old dreamer from the Bronx told Dance Mogul Magazine she hadn't reached her big break yet. A decade later, she danced in the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in history.

By Dance Mogul Magazine  |  Originally Published September 2016  |  Updated May 2026

---

Who Is Ashley Cruz?

In September 2016, Dance Mogul Magazine sat down with a 20-year-old dancer from the South Bronx who was just beginning to make her mark. Ashley Cruz had recently performed at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors alongside legendary choreographer Fatima Robinson and danced in Beyoncé's unforgettable 2016 VMA performance at Madison Square Garden. She was hungry, focused, and unapologetically herself.

When asked about her "big break," she answered with the kind of self-awareness that separates dreamers from architects: "I don't think I have reached my big break as of just yet."

A decade later, Ashley Cruz has built one of the most respected careers in the commercial dance industry. She has performed alongside Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Maluma, and Bad Bunny. She has become a sought-after assistant choreographer and movement coach working with Charm La'Donna and Tia Rivera, a CLI Conservatory mentor, and the choreographer of LMU's 2026 Senior Industry Showcase. In February 2026, she danced in the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in history, performing with Bad Bunny in a celebration of Puerto Rican culture that moved millions.

This is the story of a woman who told the world to stay true — and then proved exactly what that looks like over the course of a career.

---

South Bronx Roots: Where It All Began

Ashley Cruz was born and raised in the South Bronx, New York — a neighborhood steeped in hip-hop history, salsa rhythms, and resilient community culture. Her Puerto Rican roots blended naturally with the creative energy of the Bronx. She grew up listening to neo-soul, R&B, house music, and salsa in her family's home, watching her mother and aunt dance to everything that came through the speakers.

As a child, she signed herself up for every talent show and block party she could find. Dance was a language she understood before she had formal training. But her family's financial reality meant professional studios were out of reach. Her mother, a single mom, could not afford paid dance courses.

What saved her trajectory was the nonprofit dance ecosystem of the Bronx. Ashley trained with S.B.K., a dance team at a local recreation center led by Tessie Marrero, where hundreds of raw, talented dancers from the neighborhood sharpened their skills without paying a dollar. Later, she joined W.R.T. The Collective (led by David and Shanessa), a dance company that required discipline, accountability, and hunger — not tuition.

These programs taught her something no paid studio could: the work ethic of earning your spot. Be on time or the group pays. Have every piece of your costume or you don't perform. Never take training lightly, because someone is always ready to replace you.

During high school, Ashley expanded her training at Broadway Dance Center and Peridance Capezio Center, gaining invaluable mentors through their commercial dance industry programs. It was during this time she realized dance could be more than a passion — it could be a career. When New York University offered her a scholarship, she made a bold decision: she turned it down to pursue entertainment full-time.

---

The 2016 Dance Mogul Magazine Interview

Original Exclusive Interview — September 2016

Dance Mogul: What inspired you to start dancing?

Ashley Cruz: My dancer friends always laugh at me when I share this, but the answer to that question is the movie 'Honey' with Jessica Alba. At that time, I would have given the world to be her character in real life. I always loved to dance (salsa and hip-hop since I was about 12) but it was just that, something that I loved, a hobby. That movie shows how the main character turns her hobby into a career, specifically entering the commercial dance industry. I wanted to be that girl, that Latin girl from the hood, who opens up her own studio for her community, is the main girl in all the fly videos and of course, ends up with the hot guy lol. It inspired me, to make my talent my living.

Dance Mogul: How did you develop a work ethic to train?

Ashley Cruz: I believe I developed my work ethic to train from the competition groups I grew up in. I began dancing at a recreation center in the Bronx who held a dance team (S.B.K.) where there were hundreds of raw dancers from the neighborhood. Later, I joined a dance company (W.R.T. The Collective) that consisted of this timeless dancers, but these dancers were all trying to learn and train to be ready for the industry. Both companies were nonprofit, you didn't have to pay a dollar but you needed to work hard or fight for your spot. You needed to earn it, both on and off the dance floor. Be on time or the entire group pays, have every single part of your costume or you aren't performing and most of all never ever take your training lightly, there's always someone there to take your spot. All of these principles contributed to my work ethic.

Dance Mogul: When was your big break?

Ashley Cruz: I have to be completely honest, I don't think I have reached my big break as of just yet. I'm 20 years old and my goals have such tunnel vision to them, they're so specific. I want a world tour with a major artist, a set on a big-time music video, a lead role in a musical or commercial. To me, accomplishing those goals of mine will be my big break. I am so inspired by dancers like Danielle Polanco and Jessica Castro, who have truly achieved a level of excellence and their big breaks inspire me, I want mine to be something that I pass out every time I say it lol.

Dance Mogul: What have been some of your memorable moments on stage?

Ashley Cruz: One of my most memorable moments on stage has to be just recently performing on VH1's Hip Hop Honors award show. It was my first big job, in my city, with legendary choreographer Fatima Robinson, to music I grew up to and honoring legends that my mom would geek out to. I remember being on stage dancing next to Lil Kim live on national television and there was this one part of the choreography in "Put your lighters up" where we have to point above our heads and then Kim on "BIG comes first and the Queen comes after." My eyes filled up, it gave me chills!

Dance Mogul: Based on your experience now what would you tell your younger self?

Ashley Cruz: I would tell my younger self get into some ballet! I've realized how important it is now, how it is the foundation of everything. I would have definitely started at a young age!

Dance Mogul: What is it like dancing for major artists on a regular basis?

Ashley Cruz: It is definitely humbling. Makes you really appreciate what you do. You have all of these people, all of these fans, who pay so much money, who drive hours to watch this artist perform and you get to be on that stage contributing to their experience, it's amazing!

Dance Mogul: What was it like to perform at the 2016 VMAs?

Ashley Cruz: Performing on the VMA's was a dream come true. At this point in my career, nothing can top that feeling. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be in rehearsal for a Beyonce performance for two rigorous weeks, for the Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden! Preparing for such a major performance was very challenging, it becomes super stressful at some points, but when you are around a woman like Beyonce and her entire camp of dancers, choreographers and her whole team it pushes you to put your big girl pants on and get the job done. Once you see that final product, it is all worth it!

Dance Mogul: Where do you see your dance brand in the next 10 years and how would you like to help empower the dance community?

Ashley Cruz: In 10 years I'll be 30 and I see myself accomplishing all of those "big break" goals I spoke about. In the midst of it all, sharing with my community how it is possible to turn your life long passion into your career. I don't see my self being a choreographer, but I do see myself becoming a teacher and educator. Believe it or not before dance I've always wanted to be a grade school teacher, have my own classroom and teach the basic subjects. I plan to find time for college and receive my degree, but if God continues to bless me with the work I have put out for me, educating on this career path would be a dream! A studio in the Bronx would be amazing too, have to give back to the boogie down!

Dance Mogul: What advice do you have for the younger generation of dancers?

Ashley Cruz: My advice to the younger generation of dancers is to STAY TRUE! Stay true to who you are, and where you come from. It is so easy to lose sight of this when you're in the industry playing different roles and surrounded by different people, but if you remain who you are, you will never feel lost. I'm still learning who Ashley is, who I am in and outside of dance, but I solemnly let myself determine that, stay true!

Dance Mogul: Is there anyone you would like to thank?

Ashley Cruz: I'd like to thank the best people in the world, my family, and specifically my super mom! When no one believed in dance for me, it was her who did! I'd like to thank, S.B.K (Tessie Marrero), WRT (David and Shanessa), Torey Nelson, Rhapsody James (ME Season 4), Luam Keflezgy (RTI), who have all contributed to the dancer I am. All of my bomb friends taking this crazy road with me, thank you! And that man upstairs, he is the one! Nothing is possible without his glory!

---

2026 Career Update

A Decade Later: Every Goal Achieved — and Then Some

When Ashley told Dance Mogul Magazine in 2016 that she wanted world tours with major artists, big music videos, and the kind of break that would make her "pass out every time I say it" — she was not making empty promises. She was making a blueprint.

In the decade since that interview, Ashley Cruz has performed with some of the most iconic names in music. Her resume reads like a who's who of the entertainment industry: Beyoncé, Lady Gaga (including Saturday Night Live, the Super Bowl LI halftime show, and the Las Vegas Enigma residency), Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Meghan Trainor, Saweetie, Maluma, Baby Keem, and Chlöe Bailey. She has appeared in major music videos, television performances, and live productions seen by hundreds of millions of people worldwide.

Perhaps most significantly, she has evolved beyond the dancer she once envisioned herself to be. In 2016, she said she did not see herself becoming a choreographer. By 2024, she had become a frequent and dedicated assistant choreographer and movement coach to Charm La'Donna — one of the most respected choreographers in the industry, known for her work with Kendrick Lamar, Rosalía, and Dua Lipa — and to Tia Rivera. Ashley also launched her brand and platform, CruzwithAshley, through which she runs "The Purpose & Performance Workshop," igniting inspiration in aspiring entertainers.

She joined the CLI Conservatory as a mentor, supporting students in bridging the gap between their current reality and their dream dance career through one-on-one and group sessions. She also choreographed LMU's 2026 Senior Industry Showcase, shaping the next generation of professional dancers.

And she told her younger self to get into ballet? She was right about that too — her training foundation has enabled her to move across every genre the industry demands.

---

Super Bowl LX: A Cultural Moment That Hit Home

In February 2026, Ashley Cruz took the field in the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in history, performing alongside Bad Bunny in a production that celebrated Puerto Rican culture on the world's biggest stage.

For Ashley, this was more than a career milestone. It was deeply personal. Bad Bunny's halftime show was intentionally rooted in Puerto Rican identity — featuring props that recreated the look and feel of a typical Bronx summer or a day in Puerto Rico: abuelos playing Dominoes, a bodega, a cart of piraguas. For a woman who had spent her entire career incorporating salsa movement and Bronx light feet into her performances, seeing her culture spotlighted in that way was overwhelming.

The show's lead choreographer was Charm La'Donna — someone Ashley had been working alongside as an assistant choreographer for years. The relationship, built through trust and shared artistic vision, placed Ashley in exactly the right room at exactly the right time. But make no mistake: she was in that room because she had earned it.

When asked what she would say to young people watching, Ashley echoed Bad Bunny's message with her own: "He got here dreaming. I got here dreaming, betting on myself and him betting on himself. So please, please, let this be a reminder for you."

---

Career Timeline & Notable Credits

---

Staying True: Identity, Representation, and Purpose

One of the most powerful through-lines in Ashley Cruz's career is her commitment to showing up as exactly who she is. In an industry that often asks performers to sand down their edges, Ashley has consistently leaned into her identity as an Afro-Latina from the South Bronx.

She has spoken openly about the challenges of navigating an industry where she was sometimes told she was "too Latina," "too big," or "too small." Rather than conforming, she doubled down on authenticity — wearing a Yankee cap, rocking hoop earrings, incorporating salsa and Bronx light feet movement into commercial choreography. She made her culture visible in rooms where it had previously been invisible.

Through CruzwithAshley, she has built a platform that goes beyond dance technique — it is about purpose, self-belief, and the courage to bet on yourself when no one else will. Her transition into acting (she has active credits on IMDb) reflects a continued expansion of her artistry, refusing to be defined by a single lane.

Her evolution from performer to mentor and creative leader represents exactly the kind of career trajectory that Dance Mogul Magazine celebrates: one rooted in discipline, cultural pride, community service, and an unshakable belief in the power of staying true.

---

Growth Beyond the Stage

Ashley has also been candid about the personal evolution required to sustain a decade-long career. Early in her journey, she described herself as someone who "lived, slept, and breathed dance." Over time, she recognized the cost of that singular focus — moments of emptiness that came from tying her entire identity to outcomes.

She has spoken about the importance of balance across career and personal life, of aligning emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally. This maturity, combined with her continued high-level performance output, speaks to a dancer who has not just survived the industry — she has grown through it.

---

Why This Story Matters

Ashley Cruz's journey is the embodiment of what Dance Mogul Magazine was built to document: the real story behind the spotlight. She did not come from privilege. She did not have industry connections. She trained in nonprofits, earned her spot through discipline, turned down a university scholarship to bet on herself, and methodically built a career that now spans world tours, Super Bowls, and the mentorship of the next generation.

Her story proves that the path from a recreation center in the Bronx to the biggest stages on Earth is not fantasy — it is a blueprint available to anyone willing to do the work, stay true to who they are, and never stop dreaming.

Dance Mogul Magazine is proud to have been part of Ashley's story since 2016 — and even prouder to watch her continue writing it.

---

---

Explore More on Dance Mogul Magazine

Discover more artist profiles, dance industry features, and empowerment content across our Exclusive Interviews archive. Explore the full spectrum of dance culture in our Dance Styles Hub.

---

Dance Mogul Magazine — Inspiring Self-Empowerment Through the Art of Dance