Lily Frias: Visual Voice, Whacking, and the Power of Story in Motion

For more than a decade, Lily Frias has devoted her life to Whacking—not simply as a dance style, but as a living language of identity, storytelling, and freedom. From underground club culture to the world’s most visible stages, from weekly classes in Los Angeles to international theaters and global broadcasts, Frias has emerged as a singular voice in contemporary movement culture. Her work bridges club styles and mainstream performance without diluting the roots that gave Whacking its soul. Instead, she expands its reach while protecting its lineage, its history, and its expressive power.

At the center of Frias’s practice is a belief that dance is not about excess, but intention. “It’s not how much you do,” she explains, “it’s how you do it.” That philosophy echoes through her teaching, her performances, and her creative collaborations—whether she is freestyling a Whacking solo at the Dolby Theatre, performing masked inside a Squid Game spectacle for Netflix, or standing in a studio guiding the next generation of dancers toward their own voices.

Finding Whacking: Origins, Freedom, and Persona

Frias’s connection to Whacking began with curiosity, but quickly deepened into commitment. What initially pulled her toward the style was not only its physical vocabulary, but its origin story and expressive freedom.

“I think what drew me to this style was its origin story and how it gives you so much freedom of exploration and such emphasis on your connection of telling a story through the music, or becoming a persona, a character,” she says. “It’s so fun and I still think today it is a safe space for me to feel empowered and free.”

Born in the clubs of Los Angeles during the 1970s, Whacking—also known historically as Punking—was created by gay Black men who used dance as both resistance and self-expression. That lineage matters deeply to Frias. For her, Whacking is inseparable from its roots in identity, performance, and survival. The style demands presence, emotional clarity, and commitment to character. Without intention, she believes, it loses its magic.

Performance grows when story meets rhythm

“I think Whacking is definitely one of those styles that without intention and connection, the style doesn’t quite enchant as much as someone who is really committed to their story and the music.”

That commitment—to story, to music, to persona—has shaped the way Frias moves, thinks, and performs across all genres.

A Superhero Energy: How Whacking Shapes the Artist

Compared to other styles Frias works in, Whacking has fundamentally altered her relationship to performance. It taught her not only how to move, but how to stand inside her individuality.

“I think it showed how to use my story and my uniqueness as something to celebrate and empowers, like a superhero energy,” she explains. “It’s also taught me how in dance it’s not how much you do, it’s how you do it. I think this practice can relate to so many aspects of being a performer.”

That ethos carries into every space she enters—commercial, theatrical, or freestyle. Whacking sharpened her musicality, her clarity of choice, and her ability to communicate emotion instantly. It taught her how to command attention without excess, how to let intention amplify technique.

Clarity in motion tells the story

This clarity is one reason Frias’s work reads so powerfully on camera and stage alike. Whether framed in a tight shot or seen from the back of a theater, her movement communicates story first.

Teaching at Movement Lifestyle: Roots and Responsibility

As a weekly Whacking instructor at Movement Lifestyle in Los Angeles, Frias carries a responsibility she does not take lightly. Teaching a club style within a globally recognized studio requires both precision and care.

“I feel such responsibility to honor the style and its origins,” she says. “I think the way to honor that is to always mention the history of the style, the pioneers such as DJ Michael-Angelo, The OG Punkers, Andrew Frank, Arthur, Tinker Toy, Billy Starr, Lonnie, Viktor Manoel, Ginos, Paradise Ballroom, the clubs of its origins.”

History is not an optional footnote in Frias’s classroom—it is foundational. She situates Whacking within its cultural context before inviting students to explore their own interpretations.

Open doors to your evolving movement

To push the style forward, however, she does not prescribe expression. She opens doors.

“As a teacher I open the door for my students to discover their own unique connection to the style and to what they want to say through their dance. Just as my teachers did for me, they opened the door and I had to discover my own journey.”

That balance—honoring lineage while encouraging evolution—is central to her pedagogy. Frias embraces new music, new expressions, and new bodies, while maintaining the original essence of Whacking as a style rooted in story, character, and freedom.

International Experience in the Studio

Frias brings a rare breadth of experience into the studio. Her background spans international judging, teaching, battling, choreography, and large-scale performance. That global perspective shapes how she trains dancers.

“I want to offer in the studio the unique harmony of challenging technique, the tools for new concepts of exploration in freestyle, and the ability to also perform choreography,” she explains. “I want my students to learn to showcase a high level of musicality and technique but with the freedom and presence that comes from freestyle.”

This dual focus—discipline and freedom—mirrors her own career. Frias moves fluidly between structured choreography and spontaneous improvisation, understanding that each sharpens the other.

Why Movement Lifestyle Matters

Movement Lifestyle holds a special place in Frias’s journey. Since moving to Los Angeles, the studio has been both a training ground and a community.

“I’ve always had a very special connection to this studio ever since I moved to LA,” she says. “I’ve learned a lot as a student and as a person in this studio, and I think now as a teacher I get to pass those experiences to the new generation.”

For Frias, Movement Lifestyle embodies what dance culture should be: a space where growth is collective, passion is visible, and movement is truly a way of life.

Dance is life in every motion

“You can tell from the staff to the teachers that everyone has a true love for dance. Literally movement as a lifestyle.”

Whacking on a Mainstream Stage: Wicked: One Wonderful Night

When Frias performed a Whacking solo in Wicked: One Wonderful Night, the style reached one of its largest mainstream audiences to date. Filmed at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the NBC special celebrated the world of Wicked with live performances by Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and the cast, accompanied by a live orchestra and directed by Paul Dugdale.

“For me, it was very special,” Frias reflects. “I know the style had grown so much, but representing it on a stage where you usually don’t see this style was really fun.”

The moment carried personal and communal significance. Whacking, born in underground clubs, stood alongside tap and hip hop as an equal within a major televised production.

Whacking sparks curiosity across dance floors

“I think it’s in the rightful place to be showcased as a style that has equal relevance, difficulty, and history as the styles that perhaps are showcased more on mainstream media.”

She also recognized the emotional resonance between Wicked and the Whacking community worldwide.

“I know as well the Whacking community around the world really does relate so much to the story of The Wizard of Oz and to Wicked. Maybe someone watching from home feels drawn to it, and it could spark a desire to learn more about it.”

Working with Chris Scott and a Large Creative Team

Frias’s collaboration with choreographer Chris Scott on Wicked: One Wonderful Night was part of a longer creative relationship, including So You Think You Can Dance and Red Bull projects. This production, however, stood out for its scale and detail.

“What felt unique about this one was the attention to detail across all departments,” she says. “I got to see how Chris worked with the camera, directing while simultaneously considering the experience of the live performance.”

Every element—staging, camera work, choreography, wardrobe, music—was deeply integrated.

Unified artistry elevates immersive stage storytelling

“I could feel how deeply every department—dance, actors, music, and wardrobe—was enamored with the story of Wicked and committed to honoring it in every possible way throughout the show.”

Making a Solo Moment Count

Frias’s Whacking solo appeared during the Bowen Yang and Ethan Slater number “Dancing Through Life,” offering a brief but powerful spotlight. Her approach was methodical and intuitive.

“First I freestyle completely without thinking too hard to see what feels more organic and true,” she explains. “Then I workshop to find what reads harmoniously on camera, especially considering tech rehearsal and how I could work certain angles while also considering my connection to the live audience.”

The final layer was musicality and choice—hallmarks of her style.

Find your unique musical whacking voice

“Finally finding a way to showcase a high level of musicality and my own unique choices as a Whacker and freestyle dancer.”

Performing at the Dolby Theatre

The Dolby Theatre added a weight no soundstage could replicate.

“As a performer, you can feel how much of a staple this theater is in Hollywood and in entertainment history,” Frias says. “Everyone who works there honors that legacy when putting a show together at the Dolby Theatre.”

That legacy heightened the responsibility—and the magic—of the performance.

Dancing with a Live Orchestra

Performing to Stephen Schwartz’s music with a live orchestra introduced both emotional and technical challenges.

“Having a live orchestra there really enhanced the performance and deepened the connection to the story,” Frias says. “Listening to the beautiful voices of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo alongside the orchestra made me swell with emotion during the show.”

Technically, the shift from prerecorded tracks demanded precision and adaptability.

Professional dancers greet unexpected challenges gracefully

“It really highlighted how we, as dancers, are consummate professionals, able to adjust to new scenarios every step of the way, even during the performance.”

Netflix Tudum 2025: Scale, Masks, and Precision

If Wicked represented theatrical grandeur, Netflix Tudum 2025 represented spectacle at a global scale. Performing live at the Kia Center in Los Angeles, Frias appeared in a Squid Game–inspired number with musical artist Hanumankind.

“The challenging and fun part to be in character was definitely the wardrobe,” she says. “Wearing the iconic Squid Game mask and giving energy as a character, connecting to the audience even when they can’t see our faces.”

Dancing masked required heightened spatial awareness and trust in rehearsal.

Rehearsals unlock masked stage presence

“That’s also when rehearsals and complete spatial and body awareness as a professional dancer comes in clutch when it comes to dancing in a mask.”

Navigating Sets, Costumes, and Live Music

The production featured moving sets, stairs, live music, and complex staging. Safety and awareness were paramount.

“Professional dancers are always very aware and responsible for making the right choices for our own safety and for others on stage,” Frias explains. “In rehearsal, we were able to test out a lot of the staging, work with props, and map out the stage.”

Live music, once again, elevated the experience.

A new spark for your stage

“For me, it really enhances the performance and the energy in the movement.”

Dance in Global Pop Culture

Events like Netflix Tudum reveal how deeply dance shapes popular culture.

“Dance influences the world,” Frias says, pointing to historic moments like Thriller, Vogue, and contemporary artists such as Lady Gaga. “If dancers bring to life the music or popularize a song it really can take a life of its own and move masses.”

She sees dance as a powerful art form—one that deserves recognition equal to music and film.

Visibility for Specialty Dancers

Frias is particularly drawn to creative teams that spotlight specialty dancers.

“In dance, especially in hip hop, street styles, and club styles, uniqueness was something that was celebrated,” she explains. “As a freestyler we are constantly working on finding our own voice as an artist.”

Visibility validates that labor. It affirms that originality and deep stylistic knowledge matter.

Collaboration and Crescendo

At Tudum, Frias shared a popping crescendo with Marie Popping and Hanumankind—a moment built on trust and shared history.

“Marie and I are very in sync artistically since we’ve been dancing together for years now,” she says. “We workshopped the choreography alongside the direction of the creative team to elevate the musical crescendo and staging.”

Femme Fatale: Chosen Family and Global Voice

Beyond individual performance, Frias is a founding member of Femme Fatale, an international dance trio with Marie Popping and Dassy. Their connection spans continents.

“We met each other at different moments in our lives, in Mexico, New York, and finally in LA,” she explains.

In 2016, an opportunity in Sweden led them to Dance Delight in Japan, where they won without expectations—only love for dance.

Three women redefine performance worldwide

“We felt so powerful dancing together,” Frias recalls. “After that experience, we recognized the importance and impact a trio of women could have on the community.”

Since then, Femme Fatale has built a global resume, collaborating with Vogue, Cirque du Soleil, Nike, Red Bull, and performing in theaters worldwide.

“And personally for me,” Frias adds, “they are chosen family.”

Visual Voice: Unity Through Movement

Femme Fatale’s theater piece Visual Voice embodies that unity.

“Visual Voice celebrates unity and our individual cultures,” Frias explains. “You hear it through the original music created by CloZee, as well as how dance brings people together.”

Premiering the piece in Los Angeles at the Nate Holden Theatre carries special meaning.

Local voices celebrate our home premiere

“This show celebrates the LA community. Premiering Visual Voice in our home makes it especially meaningful.”

Versa-Style and Friends

Performing as part of “Versa-Style and Friends” situates Frias within a broader LA ecosystem.

“It brings all of us together—locals and dancers from different places around the world,” she says. “This show is celebrating different styles, companies, and dancers gathering in LA.”

Sustainability, Growth, and Alignment

Balancing performance, teaching, and creation requires care.

“I think now more than ever about taking care of my mental and emotional well-being, as well as maintaining my physical discipline as a dancer,” Frias says.

She chooses projects that allow growth while honoring her values.

Safe spaces empower expressive dance

“I can recognize spaces where I feel safe and respected to be myself and express myself as a dancer.”

Gratitude grounds her.

“Every day I try to remember how blessed I am, even just to have health to use my body as my instrument of expression.”

What She Hopes Audiences Feel

When audiences see her work, Frias hopes they feel courage.

“A spark of happiness and courage to pursue their own dreams,” she says. “Inspired by how dance celebrates our unique stories and expressions and how powerful and healing that can be.”

Looking Ahead

Looking forward, Frias is excited by continuity and expansion: her ongoing role at Movement Lifestyle, deeper exploration into choreography and creative direction, collaborations across music, fashion, and film, and movement direction for camera.

“I’m constantly working on growing as a creative performer,” she says. “I feel very grateful to get to do what I do. I wish to keep featuring my craft on worldwide stages, celebrating what makes us all special and what brings us together through art.”

Lily Frias

Dancer / Choreographer / Movement ArtistInstagram: @lilyfdcYouTube: www.youtube.com/lilyfriasdance