Legacy Artist Feature

Holly Hyman: The Fearless Multi-Hyphenate Redefining What It Means to Trust the Process

From Washington D.C. to Alvin Ailey to world stages with Missy Elliott, Rihanna, and Adam Lambert — Holly Hyman built her career one discipline, one audition, and one breakthrough at a time.

By Dance Mogul Magazine  |  Legacy Artist Feature  |  Updated May 2026

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Who Is Holly Hyman?

Some artists discover their calling. Others are born into it. Holly Hyman belongs firmly in the second category. A dancer, actress, singer, and educator whose career spans more than two decades, Holly has moved seamlessly between the concert stage, the recording-artist touring circuit, Broadway-caliber musicals, film, television, and the teaching studio — all while holding memberships in SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity, credentials that reflect both her range and her relentless work ethic.

Trained at the legendary Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., then forged in the demanding studios of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Fordham University, Holly built a technical foundation that allowed her to thrive across every genre: ballet, modern, African, jazz, tap, and commercial. That versatility became her signature — and her superpower.

When Dance Mogul Magazine first profiled Holly in 2016, she was fresh off a six-month world tour with Adam Lambert and a national Kay Jewelers commercial. In the years since, she has expanded her career into acting on screen, performing in critically acclaimed theater, and teaching across continents — embodying the multi-hyphenate path that defines the modern dance professional.

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Career Timeline & Achievements

Holly's resume reads like a masterclass in sustained excellence. Each milestone built on the one before it, and every "break" — as she calls them — was earned through preparation meeting opportunity.

Training & Foundation

Duke Ellington School of the Arts (Washington, D.C.) — Accepted after her eighth-grade audition, Holly received a diploma in dance from one of the nation's most prestigious performing arts high schools. There she was exposed to every major discipline: ballet, modern, African, jazz, and tap.

Fordham University / The Ailey School (New York City) — Holly earned her BFA through the joint Fordham–Ailey program, studying under Judith Jamison, Ron Brown, and Ana Marie Forsythe. She completed a two-year contract with Ailey II, performing in virtually every major American city.

Concert & Touring

1998 — Cast in the music video "Still Not a Player" with Joe and Big Pun, launching her commercial career.

2003 — Began touring the world with Missy Elliott. Over the years, Holly has also toured with Alicia Keys, Rihanna, and Adam Lambert, among others.

2016 — Completed a six-month world tour with Adam Lambert for the Original High Tour, performing across Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and Europe.

Film & Television

2007 — Hairspray (New Line Cinema) — Cast as a dancer/actor in the hit musical film, earning her SAG membership and marking the beginning of her transition from concert stage to screen.

2017 — Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) — Guest appearance as a dancer.

2017 — Rock, Paper, Scissors — Featured role as Madeline in this independent film.

2020 — The High Note (Focus Features) — Played Grace's backup singer in this music-industry drama starring Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson.

2022 — Bel-Air (Peacock) — Recurring role as Kendra in the dramatic reimagining of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

2024 — 9-1-1 (ABC/Fox) — Guest role as Macey in the hit first-responder drama.

2025 — The ReWrite. — Featured role as Ashe in this acclaimed independent film about a struggling Black screenwriter fighting to portray authenticity on screen. The film premiered at the American Black Film Festival and is now streaming on Prime Video, Tubi, Apple TV, and Plex.

Stage & Theater

2008–2010 — Wicked (Los Angeles / San Francisco) — Ensemble member, earning her Actors' Equity card. Danced and sang throughout the production.

2011 — TWIST: An American Musical — Worked with icon Debbie Allen, an experience Holly credits as a turning point in her awareness of the depth and possibilities of a career as both dancer and actor.

2017 — Zoot Suit (Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles) — Cast as La Pachuca Lil Blue in the twice-extended, critically acclaimed revival directed by Luis Valdez, starring Demian Bichir. Part of the Pachuca Trio, Holly was praised for her "Broadway-caliber" dance performance alongside the 25-member company. The production marked Center Theatre Group's 50th-anniversary season and was one of the hottest tickets in Los Angeles.

Teaching & Education

2013 — Taught at the Tokyo Broadway Dance Center in Japan.

2020 — Participated in Ailey Extension Online's special street-style workshops, connecting with students worldwide during the pandemic era.

Holly continues to maintain an active presence as an educator, teaching at studios across the United States and internationally.

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The Dance Mogul Magazine Interview

Originally published July 3, 2016 — The full, unedited conversation between Dance Mogul Magazine and Holly Hyman.

Dance Mogul: What inspired you to start dancing?

Holly: I am a born performance artist. I need to move. Dance allows me to express my sense of drama and theater, my artistic gifts. As a young child, I enjoyed watching Janet Jackson and The Fly Girls of IN LIVING COLOR. They inspired me to dance, not only at family functions and school talent shows but professionally. When I competed for my elementary school talent show, I chose to be Janet Jackson, performing her song, "ALRIGHT". I wore a Cab Calloway zoot suit and swung a pocket watch. The audience chanted: "Go, Holly, Go Holly". I was hooked! Being on stage is exhilarating. In junior high school, I went out for the cheerleading squad and realized I had a knack for learning choreography really well and fast. I enjoyed collaborating with my teammates and loved performing. Art became a life for me.

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

Holly: I grew up in Washington D.C. Fortunately, Duke Ellington School of the Arts accepted me after my 8th-grade audition. I was exposed to all styles and genres of dance. Being both competitive and versatile, I wanted to learn everything I could, including ballet, modern, African, jazz and tap. From high school, I went to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York City. There I learned from the best in my field: Judith Jamison, Ron Brown and Ana Marie Forsythe. They helped me build on the strict discipline I learned at Duke Ellington. That hard work carried me from my student days at Ailey, through a BFA at Fordham University, and a two-year contract with the Alvin Ailey 2nd Company.

Dance Mogul: When was your big break?

Holly: I consider many of my professional experiences to have been "breaks".

* In 1998 I was cast in the music video "Still Not A Playa" with Joe and Big Pun. It launched my music video journey.

* In 2003 I toured the world performing with Missy Elliott. I have subsequently toured the world with many other major music artists.

* In 2006 I was cast as a dancer/actor in the movie musical HAIRSPRAY and became a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). Thus began my transition from the concert stage to film.

* From 2008-2010 I was cast in the Los Angeles/San Francisco companies of the Broadway musical, WICKED. That's when I got my EQUITY card. As an ensemble member, I danced and sang throughout the show.

* In 2011 I worked with icon Debbie Allen, on TWIST: An American Musical. Her example was a stepping stone into my awareness of the depth and possibilities of a career, not only as a dancer but also as an actor.

* In 2013, after several teaching stints in the US, I taught in Japan at the Tokyo Broadway Dance Center.

* 2016 brought more breakthroughs. My first national commercial, as a lead actor for Kay Jewelers, ran concurrently with my 6-month world tour with Adam Lambert.

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

Holly: Two-stage moments stand out in my memory. I have gone full circle from performing, with Janet Jackson, in a Cab Calloway zoot suit, in elementary school, to the world stage as myself, with Adam Lambert. Our ORIGINAL HIGH tour went from Singapore, in Southeast Asia, through New Zealand and Australia, to most major cities in the United States and Europe. As memory serves, in both instances, I have been front and center. I've been featured, celebrated, and congratulated as the performance artist I know myself to be. "Go, Holly, Go Holly".

My fan base, which started many years ago among family and school friends, has grown to include people from all over the world. I have received numerous gifts of flowers, fan art and letters, indicating that I inspire others. In Tokyo Japan, a fan has followed my career for over 4 years. That momentum has increased among colleagues and fellow artists, in the USA. It carried over into backstage "meet and greets" and autograph sessions in many European capitals. You can view some of that fan art on my Instagram page @hollyhoneychile.

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

Holly: I would tell my younger self: "Worry, uncertainty and instability are part of an artist's life. Accept these things and use them to fuel your creativity. Trust the process. Know that you are enough. There is enough. There will be enough. Realize that it's ok to fail. Remember: what is meant for you will be for you."

"There are many ways to define success. Define yours's not only by the body of your work but also by the quality of your work relationships. Because this is the entertainment business, there is a lot of 'smoke and mirrors.' It's ok to be inspired, maybe even a fan of fellow artists, but don't judge your insides by someone else's outsides. Do the FOOTwork with faith in a power greater than yourself, who's got your back. Save your money!"

Dance Mogul: How was it working on this year's BET Awards?

Holly: Having performed in several BET Award shows over the years, this year I enjoyed it. Both the choreographer and my fellow cast mates have become friends as well as colleagues. We laughed, rehearsed, commiserated and critiqued the show together.

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

Holly: Learn your craft. There are no shortcuts or easy fixes. Do the work. While social media is good for branding and marketing, there is still no substitute for skill. If you want longevity, in the entertainment business, never stop learning. Respect the journey. Save your money. That's up to you!

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

Holly: I'm grateful for the challenges and critiques. I've grown from rejection as well as support. I appreciate the teachers, agents, choreographers, directors, and fellow artists who have been with me on this journey. I'm especially grateful that what I learn in performance has application in life. My mom (Momager) has been there every step of the way. I want to give thanks to my family for their undying love, support and listening ear. Thanks and praise to God, my Creator.

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Since Our 2016 Interview: Holly's Evolution

When Dance Mogul Magazine sat down with Holly Hyman in 2016, she had already built an extraordinary career. What she's done in the decade since demonstrates exactly the kind of longevity and adaptability she preaches to young dancers.

Holly's transition into acting has been deliberate and impressive. In 2017, she joined the cast of the landmark Zoot Suit revival at the Mark Taper Forum — the legendary Luis Valdez play that made history as Broadway's first Chicano production. Starring alongside Academy Award-nominated actor Demian Bichir, Holly played La Pachuca Lil Blue and was part of the Pachuca Trio whose vocal and dance performances were singled out by critics. The production was so successful it was extended twice.

Her screen career accelerated through the 2020s with roles in The High Note (2020), Peacock's Bel-Air (2022), and Fox/ABC's 9-1-1 (2024). Her most significant acting role to date came in 2025 with The ReWrite., an independent film about a Black screenwriter fighting to maintain authenticity in Hollywood. Holly plays Ashe in the film, which premiered at the American Black Film Festival and is now available across major streaming platforms.

Throughout it all, Holly has maintained her connection to the Ailey community and continues teaching, proving that the multi-hyphenate career she modeled long before the term became an industry buzzword is not only possible but sustainable — when you trust the process.

Complete Professional Resume

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Why Holly Hyman Matters

Holly Hyman's career is a blueprint for the kind of longevity that every emerging dancer should study. In an industry that constantly pressures artists to specialize, Holly chose range. In a culture that rewards youth and virality, Holly chose craft and consistency. And in a business where so many talented performers are discarded after a few years, Holly has sustained a career across three decades by staying ready, staying versatile, and staying in the room.

Her path from multiple dance disciplines to musical theater to film and television mirrors the trajectory that the industry now demands of its performers — but Holly was living it long before anyone gave it a name. She is proof that technical training, emotional intelligence, and an unshakable belief in the process will always outlast trends.

Follow Holly Hyman

Instagram: @hollyhoneychile

IMDb: Holly Hyman on IMDb

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About This Feature

This profile is part of Dance Mogul Magazine's Legacy Artist Feature series — comprehensive, one-stop-shop profiles designed to serve as the definitive resource for the artists who shape dance culture worldwide. Originally published July 3, 2016. Updated May 2026 with current career achievements, filmography, and expanded resume.

Explore more artist profiles and dance industry coverage at DMM Exclusive Interviews and the Featured Artist page.