Phoenix dancer wins regional Red Bull contest

Jossette Sanaphav has been dancing since she was little. For the past seven years, she trained with The Jukebox Dance Studio in Mesa, learning the style of crumping, popping and locking.

When she came across the flyer for the Red Bull Dance Your Style West USA Qualifier, it felt like the perfect union of preparation and opportunity.

Despite all that training and preparation, Sanaphav, known as JREAMZ, was shocked when she walked away champion of the West Qualifier on August 9 at The Van Buren in downtown Phoenix. The prize? Advancement to the National Final in San Francisco on August 23.

“I never thought this moment would come,” Sanaphav said.
Doors opened for the sold-out event at 3 p.m. Fans wore their best hip-hop-inspired fits: jorts, graphic tees, sports jerseys, and fresh pairs of sneakers. Outside, people fanned themselves as they waited in the 108-degree heat (a welcome respite from the previous day, sadly).

As a Red Bull-branded event, the bar offered many cocktails with the base: Red Bull vodkas, Red Bull watermelon margaritas, and the “Red Rhythm” made with Red Bull, vodka and pineapple juice. There were also zero-proof options like the Spicy Sandia — a zero-proof version of the margarita — and watermelon lemonade. Red Bull even has its own photo booth in the venue. Other sponsors for the event, Takis and Metro by T-Mobile, had free products available for guests.

Inside, '90s hip-hop jams played as the crowd bounced and shuffled around, practicing their pops and locks. Several influencers were also invited to the event, posing for pics and making TikToks on the dance floor.

Joey Boy and Sienna Villa took to the stage at 4 p.m. to explain the competition rules to the now sizable crowd: Dancers were judged based on rhythm, movement, creativity and charisma, as well as free-styling skills. Two dancers would compete against each other in individual battles, one dancer to represent red, the other blue. Audience members were given cards with blue and red sides to vote for their chosen dancer for each round. During round one, sixteen dancers went head-to-head until just eight were left for the quarter finals.
The quarter finals started with Passion (R) versus ROBO-ZILLA (B), ultimately ending in a red side victory. Next up, JREAMZ’s (R) animated energy won her the second battle against Danzel (B). Jabari (B) wooed the crowd with a lively performance in a dance/off against J-Noy (R). Last up, RaeRae (B) effortlessly connected with the crowd, winning over Intricate (R).

Arizona-based rapper Kairee Doty took to the stage. His smooth flow and laid-back beats provided a welcome step back from the high-energy competition.

Semi-finals started with Passion (R) against JREAMZ (B). Once again, JREAMZ's theatrical energy won the crowd over. The round ended with Jabari (R) versus RaeRae (B), whose dynamic personalities made this battle tight, but ultimately Jabari would be victorious.

“I do a style called flexing, and there’s a lot of grittiness, but I want to show a beautiful side of flexing, not just the New York street styles,” dancer Jabari Gooding shared.

Before the final battle, The Jukebox Dance Studio took to the stage with a bold, synchronized performance. JREAMZ and RaeRae, who are both part of The Jukebox Dance Studio, also performed.

“My coaches are my mentors,” Sanaphav/JREAMZ said. “Le and Rae(Rae) have poured into me for like seven years. These people really believe in me, and I’m grateful for them.”

The moment everyone had been waiting for: a three-round face-off between final victors, JREAMZ (R) and Jabari. Both contestants gave their all each round — Jabari with his humor and natural charisma and JREAMZ with her sass and passion.

“I try to dance how a song makes me feel,” JREAMZ said of her process. “I want people to feel my energy.”
Ultimately, after brief acknowledgements and an impassioned vote, JREAMZ was announced the winner of the West qualifier.

Upon hearing news of her victory, JREAMZ became emotionally overwhelmed, erupting into tears. Recalling her victory an hour later, she was still emotional. Meanwhile, Jabari ultimately felt satisfied winning runner-up.

“It’s not always about winning,” Jabarai said. ‘God blessed me with these opportunities, so I’m just grateful.”

While JREAMZ may have won the competition, Jabari, RaeRae, and many other dancers got a lot of love from the crowd during and after the show, with people cheering them on and asking for photos.

Behind the scenes, another flurry of celebration took place, with family members, friends, and even crew cheering and dancing in triumph and pride. All the dancers showed each other nothing but respect and admiration, giving the feeling that the culture within the Red Bull Dance Your Style competition is just as welcoming as it is on the attendees' side.

Here are more photos from the Red Bull Dance Your Style competition: