A Case of Beauty! xx: April 2011

Photographer Jasper Johal - Los Angeles U.S.A

I always dreamt of being a Ballerina or a Ninja! The sheer strength and discipline that either of those vocations require just boggles my mind and to posses such a skill would certainly, to me, be impressive. When I met Riely, the tiny blonde bombshell, it was June last year and she was modelling/dancing in the Burlesque Amore finals for local designer JANIN. Then of course due to the wondrous facebook we connected and stayed in touch. Riely invited me along to cover a couple of her Epic Creations photo shoots and let me tell you they are called Epic Creations for a reason... they are Epic! I would go along to her sessions and watch and learn from the photographer, videographer, stylists, MUA's and Riely, for hours! I was adamant that I was not going to miss a single shoot but then Riely left for Hong Kong to dance and cheekily did a photo shoot with some Playboy Bunnies over there without me, so I missed out..! But now she is back and I thought I had better do a profile on this talented chameleon to share some of her amazing dancing tales and photography! There are a lot of photos because I couldn't decided which ones to use as they are all so great! And yes Riely, I left your interview as is! :)

Enjoy!

Photography- Gilbert Rossi, Sydney, Australia

Name

Riely Alecia Saville

Interesting fact: my mother chose my

first name while she was pregnant with me – she was watching an old Country & Western movie and the heroines name was Riely (probably with a different spelling though! Haha). She was inspired by this gutsy,

fearless woman so I hope I’m living up to my name!

Star Sign

Cancer

How did you first get into dancing?

My mother took me to my first ballet class when I was just three years old. She thought it would be great fun for me. But I guess she had no idea it would become such a huge part of my life!

Photographer- Peter Benke, San Diego, U.S.A

What has your favourite job been so far?

That’s a hard one! As I've been fortunate enough to dance all over the world – from Tokyo to Mexico! But I’d have to say nothing tops my first international gig… I was 21 years old… Venturing out into the world alone for the first time… Full of excitement! And straight to the Big Apple – New York City baby! I was thrilled to be given the principal ballerina’s role of “Juliet” in The Ajkun Ballet Theatre’s “Romeo & Juliet” - Touring NYC and Upstate New York. We were

performing in a gorgeous old theatre called the Stanley Theatre – all adorned in gold & velvet! And when I finished my grand pas de deux – the scene where Juliet awakens to find Romeo dead and is so consumed by grief that she takes her own life – I was amazed to receive my first standing ovation! I was so shocked, I had to literally hold my arms down from pinching myself! Haha … Nothing can describe that feeling!! The realization that you have just moved an audience to jump to their feet and hearing their thunderous applause for what you have just shared with them is absolutely unbelievable!

Riely as Ariel for Disney Land Honk Kong

Who is your inspiration and why?

Casey Evans! Hehe … No seriously you’re amazing and you better write that! Haha! You inspire me often with what you write. Actually I am inspired by many things – by people from all walks of life. Sometimes by my friends, sometimes by authors, sometimes by performers or dance teachers, sometimes by seeing a stranger performing a random act of

kindness! But one of my most inspirational moments yet was meeting the Dalai Lama! … I had just returned to Tokyo airport from a trip to Thailand. And one of my fellow dancers got held up in customs. Well, it was worth the wait! As who should walk out of those double doors but his holiness himself! He had a very fancy entourage waiting for him. But when he caught me staring he walked right up & shook my hand and said hello! It was a brief conversation, but when he walked

away I was so overcome with joy and awe that I just burst into tears and had to run around telling everybody what just happened! Actually thinking back on that now I still can’t believe it! Millions of people travel from far and wide to even catch a glimpse of this brilliant man sharing his knowledge. And he walked right up and touched me! I feel so incredibly blessed.

Photography- Mark Greenmantle, Brisbane, Australia

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Surprisingly, not dancing! I’ll never stop dancing for fun! But I like to challenge myself constantly with new experiences. And there are other things I’d like to dabble in! … So I’ll either be an Action Chick – making movies! Or, satisfying my passion for fashion by producing mind blowing photoshoots with a company I've started called EPIC Creations!

EPIC CREATIONS- Photographer- Gary Howard, Gold Coast, Australia

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

EVERYWHERE!! Coz I wanna see it all!! Haha … But top of my list for now is all the ancient stuff! Macchu Picchu in Peru, the Pyramids of Egypt, Puma Punku in Bolivia, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Stone Henge, Easter Island, India, the list goes on!!

Favourite book?

“You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise L Hay – This woman has helped millions improve their quality of life by learning to love themselves. And I constantly refer to the back of the book, as it contains a long list of physical ailments, the mental patterns that created them (as the mind and body are much more connected than many people realize! And your body is always telling you something!), and affirmations to help you heal. And for an incredible adventure story – a real life journey - “Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts.

Photographer- Anthony Mak, Hong Kong

Favourite movie?

Oooh hard one! … I LOVE Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon! And The Fifth Element! And Inception!!

What is your favourite type of exercise?

Dancing! D’uh! Haha! … But I also have the nickname “NINJARINA” (Ninja Ballerina) because I love to kick butt! I’ve trained in Taekwon-Do, Karate, Tai Chi, and several forms of Kung Fu:Tong Long (praying mantis style), Wing Chun & most recently in Hong Kong I was very lucky to be invited to train in Hung Gar Kung Fu with the infamous action movie producer, Bey Logan – who has worked with the likes of Jackie Chan, Gong Li and Chow Yun Fat!

Three things you cant live without?

Water – Thank You Water ☺ - it is the source of all life! And it’s fun to splash around in too! Haha… MUSIC … and Great People – because I’ve realised that having great experiences isn’t worth much if you don’t have anybody to share it with!

What is your biggest indulgence?

Definitely chocolate! Its just too good to resist! And if it makes you happy, why not? ☺

Your favourite dancer?

Too hard!! I am constantly inspired by dancers I work with! But as far as well known dancers go – French ballet dancer, Sylvie Guillem - she is a freak of nature! Absolutely phenomenal!!

Photographer- Robert Kelly, Sydney, Australia

Any advice for the women of the world?

Yes!! Believe in yourself, and anything is possible! When your desires are strong enough, you will appear to possess superhuman powers to achieve! Don’t listen to others’ negativity or let them tell you that something is too hard. Especially don’t let you convince YOURSELF that

something is too hard! If you really want it, make it happen! The world is yours! ;)

Anything you want to add?

Special thanks to you Casey, for giving me the opportunity to share my story