Tahiti Nui Télévision: We remember this viral video which exceeded one million views in 2018. What a long way we have come since then. Can we talk about a Tumata Vairaaroa brand?
Tumata Vairaaroa, dancer, influencer: “So, that makes me laugh because we can talk about a brand, yes. Today, I live from my passion. It was a lot of pitfalls, but I live from my passion. On the other hand, we can speak not of a brand, but of the identity of this Polynesian woman who embodies values, of course, and above all who fights for freedom. I often think of my parents, because for them, I am neither a brand, I am neither an identity, even less a reference. I am simply their daughter. And it’s important to have your parents by your side, because you always remember them, you remember who you are and where you come from. »
TNTV: Your publications mainly concern your know-how. But a few weeks ago, you surprised your community by sharing a very intimate pain through the departure of your little angel. What message would you like to convey?
Tumata Vairaaroa : “On social networks, I never wanted to share my life. I have always wanted to share my reality. I was away from social media for three months and it was necessary for me. I think you should do things for yourself first and foremost. And it was quite a tragic experience. Many mothers today lose their child in their womb and don’t talk about it.
Today, it seems that it has almost become taboo. And yet, many mothers suffer. For me, dance was a means of expression, a means of liberation. I think of all these mothers. My message is above all a message of hope, a message of courage. And I think it hit the mark.
Let’s say I needed it. Everyone grieves in their own way. I needed to share with the people around me. Because my friends are not only in Tahiti. They are in Hawaii, United States. And I needed them to know what I’m going through today.
I would say that my journey has not been easy. When I started, I had no money. I didn’t necessarily have anyone’s support. And above all, I wasn’t pushed, as perhaps I wanted at the time, or not. But I wasn’t so lucky. And fortunately, it allowed me to be the woman I am today.
And above all, I didn’t give up. I think it’s my very community that supports me, especially for this strong woman. And I think all Polynesian women are strong, anyway.
We were born to be free. We are born to be rich in experience. We were born to give life to those around us.
And that’s what I share on social networks. We are not just a body dancing and performing Tairi tamau. We are first and foremost a person. »
Tahiti Nui Television: Over the past six years, you have developed a complete program on Tahitian dance on social networks. There is also a part of your activities dedicated to costumes.
Tumata Vairaaroa : ” Quite. For six years, we have developed online courses on social networks because we simply had to adapt. We had to transmit our culture, change our habits and above all, we will say, make our culture accessible to all. But of course, it will never replace face-to-face lessons. And that, I often say, is why I go abroad to meet my students whom I meet online to encourage them to come to Tahiti. Far too many dancers and teachers who teach internationally have never come to Tahiti, have never seen the sea. So, for me, it is important to come here, to go to all the exceptional schools that exist here in Polynesia, in Tahiti, in Rangiroa, in Manihi, in Taha’a, or in Moorea, to come here and have this rich experience.
Many people want to progress in dance, but it is not enough to just take an international workshop or just take an online class. The online course is a way to keep the link so that we can one day go to meet them and encourage them to come to Polynesia. »
TNTV: Exactly, an online dance school, a YouTube channel, workshops, a tour which starts in March with 22 cities. What more can we wish you for the year 2025?
Tumata Vairaaroa : “I would say professionally, I wish myself and above all I wish all artists to live from their passion and above all to be master of their passion, to be master of their project and above all not to reinvent a new life, to not pleasing social media. Many people want to have a lot of followers, it can help like in my case, but above all it’s about not forgetting yourself. So that, professionally, I wish everyone to be destined for their own project.
Afterwards, personally, I wish everyone and I also wish myself happiness and peace. Far too many families break up, break up because of problems, for hypocrisies or even for land matters that do not succeed and forget the very essence of their family which is sharing, which is love and connection. . So I wish them peace, especially in their family. »
