Scarlett Bella Song is using her dancing to make a difference, and we couldn't be happier. She is a South Korean dancer, social media personality, and designer who started competing in dance when she was three years old. She has over 600,000 social media followers and has been dancing her way to the top. She recently collaborated with Annie and Sisters on the teen line Annie x Scarlett, which consists of 15 pieces with messages of kindness, empowerment, and collaboration. She also performed as the first and only dancers last month at the Kids Rock For Kids: Global Teen Rock Music Festival in New York City, which raised money for Ukraine and homeless youth in NYC. Continue reading to find out more about her dance, jewelry line, Asian American heritage, and involvement in the Kids Rock For Kids: Global Teen Rock Music Festival.

Where are you based?
I’m currently based in Dallas, Texas. (I was born in NYC and previously lived in NJ, MA, greater Washington DC, and LA.)

You have been dancing competitively since the age of three. What inspired you to get into dancing? Do you have a role model you look up to?
I’ve always had a special connection to music. When I was two years old, I became infatuated with popstars and declared to my parents that I was destined to become a performer! Over time, my passion for dance eclipsed my love for singing. I’m deeply inspired by multi-talented and multi-dimensional role models. Some of my inspirations include Zendaya, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lopez.

On the topic of dance, do you have any favorite dance styles?
Recently, I’ve been branching out and learning new dance styles. My current favorite styles are contemporary, jazz funk, and hip hop. I also learned to more fully appreciate ballet because my ballet training is enhancing my strength and technique in all styles.

Let's talk about your jewelry line. As a fashion lover, you recently collaborated with the jewelry company Annie and Sisters for their teen line, which features 15 pieces infused with messages of kindness, empowerment and collaboration. Can you explain more about each piece and what made you want to collaborate with them? Why was this important to you?
I am so highly appreciative that Annie & Sisters partnered with me to create the Annie X Scarlett teen jewelry collection. The collection is very important to me and represents one of my greatest achievements. Annie X Scarlett is my first design and entrepreneurial venture. It set me on a new career trajectory for the future. I ultimately gained an education in design and business that I couldn’t get in a classroom. I walked in the shoes of a designer-entrepreneur and now I’m hooked on the possibilities ahead. The Annie X Scarlett collection features an array of necklaces, bracelets and earrings. The contemporary designs consist of delicate silver, mixed medals, and pave crystals. The designs range from boho chic dandelions with cascading pedals to bold yin yang statement pieces and also sophisticated bars (that can go from casual to red carpet) to layered mixed medal charm sets. We also have mix-match earrings and other fun features that give the collection a fresh and youthful take on fashion jewelry. The fact that each piece is infused with purpose and meaning is the ultimate distinction. The Annie X Scarlett collection is a reflection of my heart and the energy I wish to share with the world. I hope with this collection that I can help make a positive contribution to the teen community and uplift teens who needs support, love, and encouragement during these challenging times.

Do you have a personal favorite from the collection?
My personal favorite piece from the Annie X Scarlett collection is always changing! I tend to wear a couple of pieces at a time on indefinite repeat until I “discover” a couple of new favorite pairings. Right now, I’m wearing the sleek necklace from the Bar Collection and dangling pink crystal earrings from the Dandelion Collection.

This collection was created to help and inspire teens. You're also an advocate for teen mental health. Why do you believe these messages are important?
Growing up in competitive environments in school, sports, dance, and the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, I experienced first hand the immense pressure placed upon kids and teens to succeed, excel and “win.” I felt myself being caught in an imposed external value system that took a toll on my mental health and well-being. I felt my childhood evaporating quickly and my happiness fading. I became consumed with others’ measures of success and I absorbed the negative energy surrounding me. Fortunately, I recognized what was happening early on and leaned upon my friends and family for support and perspective. This helped me find inner peace and personal strength to forge ahead in a more healthy manner. I firmly believe that caring for our mind, body and souls is what leads to sustainable mental health, happiness and success. I want to share my experiences with others so we can build a strong community together that supports and uplifts teens.

Being a young entrepreneur and working with a brand like Annie and Sisters. Does that make you want to start your own line in the future?
What a great question! My partnership with Annie & Sisters was the best first move for me because I learned so much from seasoned designer-entrepreneur Annie Chen. The experience awoke my inner designer and definitely sparked my desire to start own jewelry line (and other fashion ventures) in the future.

We heard that you recently performed at the Kids Rock For Kids: Global Teen Rock Music Festival in New York City on June 18-20 to raise funds for Ukraine and homeless youth. Can you tell us a bit about the event? What inspired you to get involved in the event?
The Kids Rock For Kids: Global Teen Rock Festival in NYC was a life-changing experience. My dance partner Brooklyn Van Ausdall and I were the only dance act during the teen music festival. It was inspiring to be in a line up with teen rock artists from around the world coming together to raise money for homeless children in Ukraine and NY. I initially felt compelled to participate in the festival to help raise money for kids in crisis. It turns out that I also grew as an artist by co-choreographing original dances and performing for a rock music crowd. Overall, the experience was challenging, uplifting, and rewarding.

You will also be the rock festival's first and only dancers performers. What was your performance like?
We performed four sets in two iconic venues during the festival. As the only dancers, we didn’t know what type of reception to expect. Ultimately, we were blown away by how warmly the audience embraced us. I am forever grateful to Kids Rock For Kids for the exhilarating and rewarding experience.

Why is it so important for kids to be helping kids these days?
For me, the heart of life is family, friendship, community, and humanity. Without caring for each other, our civilization breaks down and we all miss out on realizing our best lives. In recent years, there has been so much tragedy, violence, and war. I hope we all find a path towards increased peace, unity, and civility. We can all make a positive difference in the world. One way to do this is to invest in our youth. If we demonstrate empathy (and instill humanitarian values) during kids’ formative years we can cultivate increased compassion and humanity in future generations.

I heard you're involved in Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Can you tell us a bit about that?
While I have always been fascinated with my cultural heritage, it wasn’t until all of the anti-Asian violence stirred up during the COVID-19 pandemic that I realized it was my responsibly to rise up and represent the AAPI community. We need to learn about people from all cultures to unite us in humanity. Today, it is my honor and privilege to help represent the AAPI community.

Any future projects that are coming up that you would like to share?
The success of the Annie X Scarlett jewelry collection and the Kids Rock For Kids benefit have further fueled my drive to create and innovate. I’m starting advanced academics in high school in the fall, joining varsity cheer, and pursuing my dance training, so I am carefully deciding my next passion project. Right now, my focus in on breaking new ground and tackling new challenges. So, be on the lookout for unexpected ventures from me as a designer, entrepreneur, and performer!

How has the pandemic affected your dancing? How did you stay positive during shelter in place?
I was living in Los Angeles during the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown. Prior to the pandemic, I danced in studios six days a week. When the pandemic hit, this came to a screeching halt. My body had been conditioned to dancing five hours a day on sprung floors so it was a physical and mental adjustment switching to Zoom classes and dancing on polished concrete floors at home (which is tough on joints). To stay positive during the pandemic, I pursued passion projects. One passion project was the Annie X Scarlett teen inspirational jewelry collection with Annie & Sisters. A second passion project was helping design features in the house my family was building in LA. One of my contributions was to help design a dance studio/pool house so I could train in a safer environment while we sheltered in place. After living in the new home for several months, Los Angeles was still in lockdown, as most of the country had opened back up by this time, my parents decided to relocate our family to Dallas. So, last summer I joined a new dance studio and resumed my formal dance training with a renewed passion, vigor and appreciation.

What is your motto in life?
As a proponent for teen mental health awareness, I am especially focused on supporting teens engaged in the entertainment industry, competitive sports, and advanced academics. The external and internal pressure these high-achieving teens experience can be overwhelming. So, my motto is: 𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕃𝕚𝕗𝕖 𝔹𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕤 𝔸 𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕡𝕚𝕖𝕔𝕖 𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕃𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕟 𝕋𝕠 𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣 ℙ𝕖𝕒𝕔𝕖

To keep up with Scarlett Bella Song, please follow her Instagram below.
Instagram: @scarlettbellasong

Scarlett Bella Song - Dancing For a Difference