There are some people who walk into a room and immediately change the energy.

Omari Wiles is one of those people.

As the choreographer behind Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Omari has helped bring ballroom culture to Broadway in a way that feels authentic, powerful, and deeply human.

But this conversation goes far beyond choreography.

It is about creating spaces where people can be seen.

It is about knowing your worth.

It is about representation, resilience, purpose, and what becomes possible when you stop asking if you belong and start asking, "Why not me?"

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• How Omari went from ballroom consultant to making his Broadway choreographic debut
• What ballroom culture really is and the history behind it
• Why creating safe spaces for people to be fully themselves matters
• The inspiration behind Cats: The Jellicle Ball and why audiences are connecting so deeply with it
• How representation expands what people believe is possible for themselves
• The moment Omari finally felt proud of who he was and the role his mother played in that journey
• Why we need to stop living in "maybe" and start living in "I can"
• The legacy he hopes to leave behind for the next generation of artists and dreamers

This episode is about more than Broadway.

It's about humanity and purpose.

And it's about remembering that sometimes the thing standing between where you are and where you want to be is believing that you belong there.

CHAPTERS:

[01:28] Meet Omari Wiles and his Broadway debut

[04:29] What ballroom culture really is

[06:19] Creating spaces where people feel seen and safe

[07:26] Building a cast that bridges Broadway and ballroom

[10:27] How Cats: The Jellicle Ball was born

[14:50] When Omari realized they had a hit

[18:18] Bringing authenticity to a Broadway stage

[23:28] The journey to knowing his worth

[26:31] The moment his mother said, "You did it"

[27:43] Why representation truly matters

[28:30] What's the worst that can happen if you go for it?

[33:49] The legacy Omari hopes to leave behind

[36:06] Keep your foot on the gas

[38:15] What he would tell his 8-year-old self

Omari's Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/omari_wiles/

THE GLOW UP SOCIETY
 https://www.skool.com/be-a-10-6090/about?ref=c422989aa4694d43b0b708ca534c4582

The Salisha Show IG
 https://www.instagram.com/thesalishashow

Edited: AMPLIFY by Metafit Metamind

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Many thanks to Gotham Network in NYC, TyNia Brandon for writing and laying vocals down for the updated theme song and Big Red Studios for the intro video wherever you watch the latest season of The Salisha Show!