He’s crazy, creative, and clearly an inspiration of mine. If you didn’t know about Todrick Hall before reading this post, then you certainly will by the end of it. Todrick Hall recently joined the MTV family with his reality show Todrick. The show follows him and his crew of friends through their process of creating the hit YouTube videos that helped make Todrick famous. The show is amazing and really showcases Tod’s quirky side, which has led him to the success he now has. But a lot of people don’t realize the roadblocks Todrick had to break down on his journey to fame.
Tod has been dancing since he was eight and his creativity began in his ballet classes in his hometown of Arlington, Texas. Being from a small country town myself, I can relate to Tod and the struggles he faced because he was different and creative. Obviously, the South is known for a lot of things including fried food, tradition, and football. However, there aren’t too many people packing their bags and moving to rural towns to become dancers, actors, or pretty much anything else on the creative spectrum. Therefore, when you’re born in a small town and you think and act differently from your peers and family, it can be very discouraging.
Tod faced a lot of opposition when he directed The Nutcracker at his school when he was only thirteen. That’s when Todrick was able to step out as the unique person he was meant to be, and he continued to walk in his truth. It wasn’t always easy and people certainly didn’t accept him, especially when he was the only male cheerleader in his high school. Even after Tod graduated high school and appeared on the ninth season of American Idol, he fought through the negative remarks about his singing and personality. Tod believed American Idol would be his big break. That was not the case because life had bigger things in store for him, and let’s be honest, Todrick Hall has too much personality to be categorized as just an American Idol success story.
He went on to work on Broadway, earning $90,000 a year while still in his twenties. However, Tod felt he had more to offer so he packed his bags, sacrificed his great income, and left the big city for the City of Angels. Since then, Tod has gained over a million subscribers on his YouTube channel, written and produced for many people, and choreographed for Beyoncé. Yes, Mrs. Carter herself. After seeing his video “Cinderonce,” Beyoncé’s team contacted him, flew him to Houston, where he was hired to choreograph her hit “Blow.”
Todrick Hall left his comfortable lifestyle and his dream career as a Broadway performer to take a chance and create bigger opportunities for himself. He didn’t know when he first moved to Los Angeles, far from his friends and family, that he would make Forbes’ 30 Under 30 at age twenty-seven. When he looked at his bank account and saw that he was worth -$2,400, he probably never imagined that in a few years he would be worth $3 million. He decided to step outside his comfort zone, push the fear away, and live a vulnerable life. Vulnerability isn’t about being weak, but being strong enough to live in your truth. Tod’s journey is a testament to how hard work, sacrifice, low points, and triumphs create success. Success is different for each individual, but if you can remain humble, vulnerable, and maintain a strong work ethic, then success will be your final destination.