Pink tulle and great fear
You often ask me how it happened that I stand on stage in front of thousands of people, perform on Got Talent, and millions watch me on the internet. The truth is, if you had met 6-year-old Wika, you probably wouldn't have heard her. I was a child who hid behind her mother's leg, and every new place gave me the shivers. It all started with my grandmother. Seeing that I was constantly fidgeting whenever I heard music, she took me by the hand and led me to my first ballet class. I remember the smell of the studio, the shiny floor, and the barres that seemed huge to me back then.
Ballet taught me discipline, but inside I was still that same shy girl. I stood in the back row, trying to be invisible. I was afraid I would mess up a step, that someone would look at me, that I wouldn't be good enough. Dance was my secret world back then, one I didn't let anyone into. Over the years, I went through jazz, ballroom dance, and even krump. Each of these styles gave me something, but it was street dance that finally showed me who I could really be. It wasn't just a matter of movement—it was a matter of finding the voice I couldn't get out of my throat.
Today, looking at my old recordings, I smile at that little Wika. I wish I could tell her then that the fear she feels in her stomach isn't a signal to run away, but the fuel that will one day carry her to the top steps of the podium. Dance didn't take away my shyness immediately—it slowly, layer by layer, built my inner strength until I finally felt that the stage was the only place where I didn't have to pretend to be anyone else.
The breakthrough at Soulab and a lesson in humility
A key moment in my story was joining the Soulab studio. That's where I realized that being good in your own city is just the beginning. I ended up in a group with dancers who were stronger and faster than me and had an incredible feel for music. Instead of giving up, I felt incredible motivation. It was at Soulab that I learned that dance isn't just steps; it's culture, history, and above all—attitude. Workshops with the best dancers from around the world made me realize that popping and hip hop are disciplines that require surgical precision and total dedication.
I remember training sessions after which I would come home so tired that I'd fall asleep in the car. But that's exactly when my discipline was born. I realized that talent is only 10%, and the rest is hours spent in the studio, repeating isolations in front of the mirror, and searching for my own style in improvisation. Popping became my obsession in the best sense of the word. Body control, all those hits and muscle contractions you see in my videos now—they are the result of thousands of repetitions. That's also when I started stepping into the circles at competitions. It was terrifying, but it was there, in direct confrontation with another dancer, that my shyness finally broke.
However, I received my biggest lesson while preparing for the European Championships. A strained Achilles tendon is a death sentence for a dancer. The pain was incredible, and the question 'Why are you doing this?' echoed in my head. But then I remembered that 6-year-old. I couldn't let her down. I went out onto the floor with an injury and... I won. That was the moment I realized my mind is stronger than my body. That was the moment I became a true competitor.
From Knurów to the top of the world - UDO 2025
The year 2025 changed everything. Going to the UDO World Championships was the culmination of everything I had been through. Blackpool, a huge hall, hundreds of dancers from every corner of the globe, and that specific energy you only feel at the biggest battles. When I stood up to compete in the Popping and Hip Hop categories, I didn't feel fear anymore. I felt gratitude. Gratitude for every hour in the studio in Knurów, for every online lesson, and for every word of appreciation I heard from my coaches and the audience.
Becoming a double World Champion is a feeling that cannot be described. When they called my name, for a fraction of a second, I was that little girl in pink tulle again. Only this time, the whole world was watching as that girl showed what she was capable of. This victory wasn't just for me—it was for everyone who was ever told they were too quiet, too young, or that their dreams were too unrealistic. Two gold medals are proof that hard work and authenticity always prevail.
After returning to Poland, everything accelerated. Got Talent, four 'yeses' from the judges, the semi-finals... It's an amazing adventure, but I try to keep my feet on the ground. I still teach classes at Soulab, I still teach online, and I still get hyped about every new track I can choreograph. My mission hasn't changed: I want to inspire other dancers not to be afraid to be themselves. It doesn't matter if you dance in a small room or on a big stage—your dance is your story.
My advice for you
If you're reading this now and feel like you want to start but something is blocking you—listen to me carefully. You don't have to be a champion right away. You don't need 100,000 followers for your dance to matter. Every one of my idols, every dancer I admire, started with the same thing: a first, clumsy step. Shyness is not a flaw. It's a sensitivity that you can turn into incredible musicality and emotion on stage.
Discipline beats talent every time. If you train when others don't feel like it, if you look for your own rhythm instead of just copying what's trendy on the internet, you will reach your goal sooner or later. Dance is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be days when you've had enough, when you feel like you're standing still. That's normal. Then, remember why you started in the first place—for that pure joy that movement brings.
Remember that you are unique. Your improvisation is your signature. Don't be afraid to be weird, don't be afraid to try new things. I started with ballet and ended up with popping—a dancer's life is full of surprises. Be authentic, be hardworking, and above all: enjoy the process. See you on the dance floor, maybe one day we'll stand in a circle together!