[PORTRAIT] Allie Goodbun, the Canadian dancer who shines at the Moulin Rouge

With blue eyes as bright as the diamonds in her costumes, blonde hair that shines under the stage lights, a smile that lights up her face... When she dances at the Moulin Rouge, Allie Goodbun fills the stage with her boundless energy and zest for life. A joyfulness that, it seems, never leaves her, not even after the two daily shows are over, once midnight has passed. Even as a child, only upbeat pop music was what she loved. "Classical dance just wasn't going to work for me and my mother quickly realized that, so she got me started on modern-jazz," she jokes.

Modern-jazz, tap dancing, hip-hop, and then cabaret... Unlike many dancers who stick to one or two dance styles, Allie was encouraged to explore various genres from a young age by her teachers in her hometown of Woodstock, Canada. "I'm glad I did that, because the show at the Moulin Rouge is very versatile," she says. From this timeless place of red velvet where a kind of magic reigns unlike anywhere else, the Canadian now knows every nook and cranny.

She navigates, determined, through the labyrinthine corridors backstage: stress is not for her."I always have a plan."Let's dive deeper into the belly before each performance, but I've reached the point where it's just a regular part of my day. If I've done my routine, had a good night's sleep, eaten well, and warmed up, then the show is easy. It's like grabbing a coffee and enjoy the magic of the stage."

Dancing as a Way of Life

Dancing the same show every day, all year round, for Allie, is far from boring. On the contrary. Arriving at the Moulin Rouge after the pandemic, she started as a replacement dancer in the cancan line, before climbing the ranks and learning the roles of the topless line, soloists, and singers. 10 dances, 10 changes, 10 different costumes for each role, appearing in the four scenes of the show. "In fact, it's like I perform a different show every night", she explains.

So, for Allie, dancing at the Moulin Rouge is not just a job, it's a thrilling adventure full of excitement and variety. Every night brings a new performance, a new character, and a new experience. It's a life filled with passion, movement, and the magic of the stage.

And then, spending her days dancing, she has been doing it since the age of 5. At first, she saw her tall stature as a hindrance, but she quickly turned it to her advantage. « I was a head taller than all the others which allowed me to access higher level classes », she recalls. School then dance, her daily life is set to a precise rhythm. « If there was no dance at the end of the day, it wasn't a complete day ». As a teenager, she already had this « irresistible need» to seize each opportunity related to her discipline. But the one who claims «Having a head on your shoulders doesn't mean neglecting your studies. Coming from a mother who is a teacher and supports her every step of the way, she understands the importance of school and education very early on. Pursuing an artistic career is one thing, but having a professionAt the Moulin Rouge, Allie Acart dominates the stage with grace and passion. But she knows that having a backup plan is essential in the unpredictable world of dance. Studying kinesiology during the day in Toronto allowed her to pursue her love for dancing in the evenings, creating the perfect balance for her. Clad in a costume adorned with feathers and lips painted red, Allie embodies a sense of elegance and determination beyond her years. While some may think dancing at the Moulin Rouge is the pinnacle of her career, Allie is ready for new challenges. Becoming a content creator on TikTok and Instagram has opened up a whole new world for her, sharing glimpses of her life as a young artist in Paris with her 550,000 followers. With a blend of simplicity, maturity, and ambition, Allie Acart is not just a dancer - she is also an entrepreneur ready to conquer new horizons.

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