TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
My alias is Mia Bassey, 23, born 23rd August; in Lagos, Nigeria but moved to Akwa Ibom (where I’m from). Biochemistry Undergraduate in the University of Uyo.
HOW DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR CRAFT?
Knew I loved flexibility when I saw some cheerleaders do some stunts in 2017 on my school’s football field. Used to dance back in secondary school, and I also envied the flexibility of ballerinas. Lol. So I just knew it was time for me to try something different.
DO YOU HAVE A MENTOR?
I don’t
DESCRIBE CONTORTIONISM & WHAT ARE YOUR FAV ROUTINES?
Contortion is a skill whereby one’s body is trained to bend & twist past one’s limit, usually as a form of entertainment or for fitness. I do not have any favorite routines. Lol. Each serve different purposes.
REACTION GOTTEN WHEN PERFORMING & ANY MEMORABLE ONE?
When I started practicing, I used to do just yoga poses until I discovered my body could do more. So I said to myself, “Okay when people watch me, they need to go “stunned mentally” and I did it. Lmao Every of my performances are memorable but the cherry on the cake was me going viral during the 2020 protest. When I took those photos, I just did it as a means of promoting the protest my own way, never knew it’d blow up the way it did.
HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR SOCIETY AFFECTS YOUR INDUSTRY?
Some people feel I do it for attention, some don’t understand the need. But on the bright side, it’s being embraced. I’ve got students taking training seriously and I know many more will.
IS THERE A GOOD SUPPORT ATMOSPHERE BETWEEN PERFORMERS?
Yeah I guess.
MOST CLICHE THING YOU’VE COME ACROSS IN YOUR CRAFT?
“This one go good for bed o.” “Give him all these styles & he’d still cheat” lol
MOST REWARDING PART OF WHAT YOU DO?
The advantages it has on my health, mentally & physically & the fact that people are starting to embrace it.
ONE THING YOU HOPE TO IMPROVE ON?
Personally, I’m currently doing the work that’d bring the improvement for me but globally, I want to build & own a standard stretch lab/studio and maybe a gym.
