Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiosh Monroe.
Hi Kiosh, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
“It’s ya boy Kiosh O’Neal, I can get it up and I don’t need no pill” Famously quoted by the superstar himself. Born on April 28, 1992 at Wadley Regional Medical Center in Texarkana, Texas. Kiosh is the son of Texarkana’s own iconic duo Kenneth and Bridgette Monroe. Kiosh is the third child of four. Keevon Watts (oldest sister), Kieron Monroe (oldest brother) and Kushaiah Jones (youngest brother). After his parents separated due to marital issues Kiosh was very unstable between parents wanting custody causing him to transfer to different schools numerous of times. At 8 years of age, Kiosh had enough of the unstable back and forth living between parents and asked if he could stay in one school so he could feel stable. After an in depth conversation between both parents Kiosh eventually settled in Dallas, Texas with his father Kenneth.
Fast forward to Kiosh attending North Mesquite High School graduating class of 2010 popularly known as “Decade”. Kiosh played football, he was the captain of the step team, he won 2nd place in the State of Texas for DECA Marketing Program, he won 1st place in the high school talent show just so he could have money to pay for his cap and gown during his senior year, and he was also crowned Prom King. Kiosh lived a normal childhood life freely being able to use his talents, charm, personality, discipline, and dedication to set him apart. Kiosh says, “To be completely honest it wasn’t until I won the talent show that I knew that I wanted to be a complete superstar.”
The anticipation amongst the entire auditorium for Kiosh’s performance was so intense. No one had ever seen Kiosh perform in such manner. Kiosh was known as the house party type of dancer not nothing you’d see on a stage production. Kiosh spent an immense amount of time in his room choreographing and secretly creating the world he saw for himself making the talent show a major deal for him at that time. Kiosh designed his own costume (a black v-neck with silver custom metal flames outlined along the V of the neck, Walmart bought gray joggers covering one leg in glue then bedazzling it with silver glitter leaving the other side untouched, finished with some black Jordans, one black fingerless glove and a old fashion flat iron for his hair. Kiosh was ready to put on a show. Four songs were uniquely mixed together to complete Kiosh’s set “Telephone” by Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé, “Scream” by Michael Jackson ft. Janet, “Single Ladies by Beyoncé, and “Game Over” by Lil Flip.
The crowd was already going wild before the curtains opened. Once the curtains opened the music began. Kiosh was electrifying right out of the gate putting on the show that everyone had been dying to see. The song and video for Single Ladies by Beyoncé was huge at the time so when the crowd heard “Now put ya hands up” it was literally over for any opponent before or after Kiosh. He performed the Single Ladies routine as if he was Beyoncé himself. The auditorium went bananas. The song Game Over by Lil Flip was last for a reason. After Kiosh winning 1st place prize, the love mixed with criticism from peers who felt a male shouldn’t dance in a feminine manner as such gave Kiosh a clear understanding of his capabilities and how the world would view him. Both parents were present, pleased, and overwhelmed by Kiosh’s impact and reaction from the entire crowd. From there it was no stopping Kiosh, he was everywhere. Fashion shows, stage plays, galas, and eventually started annually putting on one man shows at local theaters in the city to financially support his career as a college student while attending The University Of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma where he hoped to receive a BFA in Dance.
Due to expensive tuition and not having enough scholarship money Kiosh had to drop out of The University of Oklahoma after 2 years. Realizing after such devastation that his life was not over Kiosh took matters into his own hands with Bridgette Monroe of Jabez Entertainment as his manager. Kiosh would go on to teach at multiple dance studios around town, coach dance teams, host master classes until landing a national televised audition on So You Think You Can Dance in 2015. Although Kiosh did not make it to the next round, he received 8 minutes of air time which gave him maximum exposure to a whole new world. Heck he even taught Jason Derulo his audition routine along with audience members that wanted to come on stage and learn from the young legend in the making. That experience was the first that had ever happened in SYTYCD history. The infamous SYTYCD moment showed Kiosh that he was truly for the world to see and that this journey is truly the route he wanted to take.
Shortly after the episode aired Kiosh and Bridgette moved to Atlanta, Georgia in motion of continuing to pursue Kiosh’s dreams. “Moving to Atlanta was the smartest thing I could’ve done” Kiosh says. “It’s like all of my doors were closing in Dallas” he continued. “I felt I would be stagnant if I stayed because back then Dallas wasn’t known for its entertainment circuit however I love my city.” He added. “Groveside” slang for the city Pleasant Grove. Kiosh had to make a new name for himself in Georgia and that’s just what he did landing him a position teaching dance at The World Famous Dance 411 & Dance 411 Productions in Atlanta. Dance 411 is the home of dancers you’d find in Missy Elliot, Usher, Chris Brown, Beyoncé, and Ciara music videos and tours just to name a few. Kiosh has featured in the hip hop anthology drama series “TALES” on B.E.T. Produced by Irv Gotti and also been casted as an extra in many other productions meeting D.C. Young Fly, Lil Duval, and more. Mad rushing into today, Kiosh teaches dance classes every Wednesday from 7:30pm-9:00pm at Atlanta’s Resource for Arts & Entertainment in Buckhead. Popularly known as AREA. Kiosh is a Host, Comedian, Choreographer, Actor, Model and Independent Artist thriving and continuously making a bigger name for himself in the entertainment industry.
Kiosh has become so intense that you can not mention your list of greats without putting his name on it. “I literally can remember when no one even knew my name.” Kiosh says. “That’s so inspiring to me.” He added. Kiosh is a hot ticket wherever he is and his work, talent, and art does the speaking for him leaving all that experiences him yearning for more. Kiosh hopes to inspire the world while being inspired by the world learning to literally take what life throws at him and turn it into gold. “It’s not easy but every step higher on my ladder to my destiny feels amazing and I wouldn’t trade my little life for anything because I’m learning so much and with knowledge becomes teaching and I can’t teach what I’ve never endured.” Kiosh concluded. Kiosh is creating his own destiny working as a Server at Waffle House during the day intertwined with side dance/host/comedy gigs to fund his endeavors of being a complete superstar. Kiosh is the one stop shop that you’d definitely want to keep up with. Once you’ve entered his world you’re contagiously invested. Experiencing Kiosh will change your life.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Mental health is the biggest challenge for me lately. Learning to be patient and knowing when it’s my time exactly. Having to witness the industry change from worshipping talent to worshipping popularity is my largest frustration. I just want to be inspired by what I see on television like I did when I was younger. Having to prove to myself that I’m better than everyone who doesn’t want to see me win. And lastly getting through my 7hr shift that I turned into 5hr because my job totally supports my dreams as well. Although I love working for Waffle House you guys gotta realize how humble I am to even put the work uniform on knowing there is so many things I can do that I actually love than be serving tables. Like come on man! I’m personally wanting for my moment when someone sees me for who and what I’m capable of that is in a position to completely change my life. Until then I’ll just keep manifesting it myself. My obstacles are personal but overall I remain in good spirits.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Live Performances:
Music Videos:
Choreography:
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Gregory Everette aka @GregTheDancer. He’s literally the best dancer I’ve ever come across.
Pricing:
- Drop-in Dance Class $15
- Privates Dance Lessons $75
- Hosting starts at $500
- Choreography Fee starts at $500
Contact Info:
- Email: Bookingkiosh@yahoo.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Kioshoneal
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/kioshoneal
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kioshoneal
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/user/KioshOneal
Image Credits:
Ty Anderson of Knox Photography
Rahjiv Staten of Ian Mathews Photography
Reuben Champan of Manila Nine Three Agency
Nyke Jamison of Wituhy Inc.
DaQuan Williams of Q. Suavio Photography
Joshua Crowder of J. Crowder Photography
