In the dynamic world of street dance, passion and perseverance pave the way for success. Living out this ethos is South African born B-girl turned businesswoman, Courtnaé Paul.
At the age of 21 and with just ZAR600 ($33) in her pocket, Courtnaé Paul pursued her dream of dancing on bigger and better stages and set out to carve her own path in the world. It is this determination that propelled her to turn her passions into paychecks.
Paul has found a way to combine her passion for dance, sport and culture, and has progressed in leaps and bounds, from practicing breaking (Breakdancing) in her bedroom in Durban in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, to flipping the business world on its head, through her company, CP Entertainment (CPE), by collaborating with world renowned brands on various projects around the globe.
This includes her role as the entertainment sponsor at the 2024 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit.
CPE has become a home for local dancers to explore the world of dance-business, whilst playing a role in creating sustainable careers for an industry that is often not well-supported.
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Recognizing the limited opportunities and resources available for street dancers, Paul sought to create platforms that would empower and support the community she cherished.
Her first foray into business was the establishment of dance workshops and training programs. These initiatives aimed to nurture young talent, providing them with the skills and confidence to excel both on and off the dance floor.
Her talent quickly garnered attention, and she became a prominent figure in the South African music and dance scene. As a B-girl, Paul has competed in numerous national and international competitions, earning accolades and respect from her peers.
Her unique style, characterized by fluidity, precision, and flair, set her apart in a male-dominated arena. With breaking now added as an Olympic sport, Paul has pushed boundaries for male and female African breakers alike, by ranking top of the continent at the inaugural Olympic Qualifier Series held recently in Shanghai and Budapest, respectively.
As a speaker at the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA summit, Paul shared her story about being the middle child of three girls and copying everything her male cousins did, to the loss of her dad at a young age and having to navigate life without the only person who made her feel like she belonged.
This moment, Paul said, completely changed her life. It was what propelled her into the trailblazer the world knows her as today.
Beyond dance, the award winning 4x SA breaking champ and Red Bull BC One Ambassador has also ventured into music and bagged her first South African Hip Hop Award nomination for DJ of the Year.
She has played on notable stages like Back To The City and Rocking the Daisies, and has also shared the stage and opened for some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, the likes of Lil Wayne, Pitbull, Rae Sremmurd and Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer, Burna Boy.
Paul has also demonstrated her skills in campaigns for Halls, Shield, vivo and L’Oreal, and graced platforms like the BBC, CNN, Olympics.com and France24.
Throughout her career, Paul has remained steadfast in her mission to make the world a better place, whilst showing the world what Africa has to offer. She embodies love, patience, and empathy, always striving to create opportunities for her community.
Her journey is a testament to the power of staying true to oneself and the impact one can have when driven by passion and purpose.
Courtnaé Paul’s story is one of triumph over adversity, a celebration of individuality, and a powerful reminder that true success comes from embracing who you are and using your talents to uplift others.
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