Nakuru dancer Austinspaxx wins the Celebrity Infinity Got Talent competition in Rhodes
Austinspaxx on stage receiving his $1,000 cash prize award after winning Celebrity Infinity Got Talent competition held in Rhodes.
Nakuru's own dance sensation, Titus Austin Okoth, popularly known as Austinspaxx, has emerged the winner of the Celebrity Infinity Got Talent competition held in Rhodes.
The popular choreographer and dancer beat 10 other contestants to the top spot and walked away with a cash prize of $1,000 (Sh129,500).
Austin, who currently works on a cruise ship, heard about the Celebrity Infinity Got Talent competition at work and saw it as an opportunity.
Austinspaxx during his solo dance competition on Celebrity Infinity Got Talent competition held in Rhodes.
Back home, he had been honing his dance skills and competing in national dance competitions such as Sakata.
Taking a leap of faith, he entered the month-long competition with a solo dance performance.
"What makes this win even more special for me is that it was the first time I had performed a solo. Having always danced in a group, this was a defining moment in my career. Not only was I on stage by myself, but I also choreographed the dance moves. There were incredible singing and dancing talents from all over the world, including Peru and the Philippines," he says, citing the milestone as proof of his growth as an artiste and a testament to the power of hard work,
Redspaxx dance crew in a previous competition, where Austin led the team to First runners up position .
"Having left Kenya in 2022 for work opportunities abroad, I never saw this day coming. Dancing in a competition abroad and winning is a dream come true," he says.
But how did he reach such heights as a dancer?
His journey, he says, started from humble beginnings, dancing in church and school.
"I started dancing when I was at Lanet High School. I was actively involved in drama and dance which sharpened my skills and gave me confidence during my school days," he says, noting that he started dancing at the age of 16 and took it up professionally in 2012.
Redspaxx dance crew in a previous competition.
Dancing runs in his family. His mother, he says, used to perform for the late President Daniel Moi. She would often share stories of her travels and the honour of performing for the President, which deeply motivated Austin to pursue dance as a career.
His older brother, who is an artiste in Nakuru, introduced him to the tricks of the entertainment industry and gave him a strong foundation to continue dancing after school.
"After finishing school, I started the Redspaxx Dance Crew with my two brothers. As the crew grew, more dancers joined and Redspaxx became one of the most respected dance collectives in Nakuru and Kenya," he says.
Redspaxx dance crew in a previous competition.
He notes that together they have performed in competitions such as KTN's I Can Dance where they were first runners up, Sakata, Dancing Family and won the Flamingo Award in 2015 and Onimi Awards in 2019.
Through dance, Austin has built up an impressive portfolio over the years. This has allowed him to work with high profile entertainment personalities such as singer Vivian Kenya, comedians MCA Tricky and Churchill.
When not working, Austin returns to Kenya to mentor and train the Redspaxx Junior Team, a group of young dancers building their careers in the industry. He is passionate about building a strong dance network and envisions an exchange programme for dancers.
"Competing against 10 talented contestants from around the world, I wowed the judges and the audience. My win has earned me a place on the world stage as a global dance icon. My journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and talent, proving that Kenyan artists can shine on the world stage," he says.
He plans to use the prize money to support the Redspaxx Junior team back home with costumes and equipment, while also reinvesting in himself by buying equipment to continue training and preparing for future competitions.