Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Kent Boyd

Kent Boyd is a multifaceted creator who has made a name for himself across mediums. From working with notable artists like Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa to starring on the screen in projects like Teen Beach, Kent is a dynamic performer whose art has connected with audiences around the world.

Most recently, he co-founded PrideHouseLA, a space where the queer community can come together and feel safe to create.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Kent about his career, So You Think You Can Dance, and PrideHouseLA.

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts and storytelling?
Kent: I was one of those kids who was really hyperactive. I was always involved in sports, but those were seasonal. My mother couldn’t handle me at a young age. She was like, “This kid is too crazy.” So, I have to give credit to being hyper and overactive. She knew a friend of a friend and put me in dance, which luckily enough channeled the hyper energy that I had into the storytelling, dance, movement, and music. It fit from a very young age. I remember walking into kindergarten dressed up for what I wanted to be when I was older. It was a dancer.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Kent: There have been a lot of people that have influenced me. What influences me the most is what’s happening in pop culture in social media or online—how the waves change so much within the entertainment industry. But the one thing that had the biggest impact on me was the Tony Awards. I was a kid living in a small town in Ohio. This was before YouTube. You had cable or you didn’t. We didn’t even have the Disney Channel. Things weren’t so easily accessible as they are now.

I remember the Tony Awards were such an iconic moment in my household. My mom made it so special for me. Anytime the Tony Awards came on, we would see the upcoming shows and the production numbers they would put out. It was the first time I saw what I was working on in dance on television. I remember that vividly.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success throughout your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Kent: Being on So You Think You Can Dance was a dream come true. That was one of the most rigorous audition processes. Not only was it demanding but it was also filmed at the exact same time. That added on pressure.

Other than So You Think You Can Dance, there was a time where I got to create a show for the Disney Channel called Free Period. Going through that process and pitching yourself creatively was a new adventure for me. I felt very fulfilled being involved with all aspects of being an executive producer. That whole process was very rewarding.

PC: There are so many different facets to your talent and craft. Does one come more naturally to you? Is one more challenging?
Kent: I definitely find that “big picture” and the movements that come with that are the easiest. I can show up to a dance class. If I have my song picked out, I can create that fantasy world very seamlessly. I think where it gets a little bit more tedious is when we start incorporating camera blocking or lighting or when we start adding in all these technical aspects. It requires a lot of planning, a lot of timing. That’s where all my sports training comes into play because when you get into the thick of it and you mix all those different elements together it becomes like a football game. We all know that football is just organized choreography.

It just takes time. I am so impatient because I am a mover. I don’t like sitting. I like fidgeting. I like thinking about pathways. I’m always moving my body. Any of those tedious moments where we’re not in the studio yet—we’re just talking about the concept, the wardrobe—it’s fun to explain, but I get so anxious because my hands aren’t on it. I’m not living it or I’m not actually seeing it. I guess that’s where the dilemma for me usually occurs. I have to be patient and trust the process—that it’s all going to come together. Because when rehearsal comes, once we’ve cast and we’ve landed the song, that’s where I feel safe again.

PC: You’ve created so many impactful pieces. If you had to choose the one that you’re the proudest of, which would it be and why?
Kent: The baseball piece that I did on So You Think You Can Dance to “Shoeless Joe” with Neil [Haskell]. Tyce Diorio choreographed it. I really love the energy of it. If I’m ever in a rut, the first thing I like to do is reflect on what we did on that show. I go back to that dance and I’m in awe of what we accomplished. It’s such a jam-packed number filled with acrobatic stunts, but we still layer in dance and the props. I love the theme—the whole baseball, sports, energetic aspect. It was a lot of fun.

There are pieces out there that you don’t really want to share, but that one I feel very proud to be a part of. Later on, working with Tyce was a really nice token for me. Anytime I get to work with him, I really do think we make magic. There was a video we did for X Ambassadors. It was around the time when there was a shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Florida, and the X Ambassadors did that dance concept video. I got to dance with Will [Johnston] and Tyce choreographed it. That was so fun and emotional. I got to give back to my queer community. That was a pretty surreal moment to see how it was received online. That was really great. Shout out to Dance On for organizing that.

PC: You’re one of the founders of PrideHouseLA. Can you tell us about the content house and how it came to fruition?
Kent: It came out of COVID. It was one good thing that came out of COVID for us. It made us all pivot. That’s one thing dancers are good at: pivoting. That’s literally what we do in our job. A friend of mine, Mollee [Gray], who’s also a founding member, was like, “Let’s get on TikTok.” Teen Beach was really big on TikTok. That’s what brought us back together.

We were creating these videos and having so much fun. We were like, “There isn’t a space for the queer community at TikTok yet.” We wanted to be that space where everyone could be proud of who they are and what they want to showcase. We wanted to use it to create that space where everyone can feel safe. Sometimes I get absorbed in my small bubble in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is progressive and inclusive. Last week, I was in St. Louis. I almost felt unsafe to hold my boyfriend’s hand or wear anything with a Pride rainbow.

This is why we wanted to create this space. We wanted to give visibility and confidence to all the kids out there who may feel slightly different or feel like they don’t follow the “normal” structure of what society has put on them. We wanted to create fun, energetic, and bubbly content. We’re all queer and we wanted to celebrate that.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Kent: I’m constantly watching JoJo Siwa’s new show on TikTok, Siwas Dance Pop Revolution, because we know so many of those girls. They’re near and dear friends to us. We love dance. I teach at a dance convention. I’m teaching these kids that are looking up to programs like this. That’s a direct connection.

I love The Kardashians. I love keeping up with them and watching them do nonsense. I love The Great British Bake Off. I love competition shows because I’ve been on one. It’s fun to see people compete.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Kent: Spy Kids. You can never go wrong with the Spy Kids trilogy. The first one’s pretty iconic and I really love Alan Cumming. I really draw a lot of inspiration from him.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Kent: I love Rent.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Kent: I love Bad Bunny.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Kent: Elijah Wood.

To keep up with Kent, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

Photo Credit: Vince Trupsin // Grooming: Christine Hazelhurst // Stylist: Quentin Fears