JACKIE CROSS UNDER THE SUN OF LOS ANGELES​

JACKIE CROSS UNDER THE SUN OF LOS ANGELES

From Paris to Los Angeles, Jackie Cross shares her light and joy by practicing roller dance. The Flaneurz ambassador and member of the LA Rollergirls joined us from the very beginning of the adventure. 

Since LA, Jackie has agreed to share her love for her discipline with La Clique Flaneurz.

 

/UNDER THE SUN OF L.A.

/Jackie, can you introduce yourself, both as a person and as a skater?

My name is Jackie Cross. Just Jackie, not Jacqueline. I LOVE to create, skate, and travel. Growing up in Southern California, I always have a smile on my face. I wish my life were like a novel... although I don't know if I could ever write it. From a young age, I have embraced many learning experiences: dance, drawing, piano, horseback riding, swimming, acrobatics, and much more.. 

As a person, I am not afraid of the unknown and am very curious. As a young adult, I took a step back to study and obtained a degree in physics while also learning French. It was during this time that I came to study in France and met Flaneurz. My journey allowed me to have unforgettable experiences. 

Now in the United States, after a career change, I work as a real estate agent helping everyone live their "American Dream." 

/Can you tell us about your passion for skating and your disciplines?

For me, skating has always been a source of personal growth and exploration. I started at the age of 4 with a pair of Barbie skates in the parks with my brother. Very quickly, my father signed me up for roller skating. That’s where I met René Johnson, who became my coach. He was the one who introduced me to the competition .

At 14 years old, I had already participated in international competitions as part of a team and was training as a Junior World Class Freestyle skater. The atmosphere of the practices, the costumes, and their multiple colors were motivating, but what I preferred were the Open Skates. 

As I grew up, I became involved in all aspects of this practice, from the most creative to the most technical. For about ten years, five days a week, I would go to the ice rink to train for several hours. I would follow that up with roller dance sessions with my friends.

In my specialty (the freestyle discipline of figure skating), I mastered the jumps up to double axel  , who was my favorite.

/How did you manage to combine your passion and your career?

My passion follows me every day in two ways. 

First of all, in my main career as a real estate agent, skating allows me to build a rich and diverse network. Having maintained a very good level, I commute on roller skates. My Flaneurz skates are perfect for getting from house to house or from meeting to meeting.

Then, I work in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles with the LA Rollergirls and artists for commercials, music videos, or other projects as well. It's a blessing to be able to skate while making a living. 

/BAGUETTES, CROISSANTS ET FLANEURZ AUX PIEDS

/Tu es l'une des toutes premières ambassadrices de Flaneurz. Peux-tu raconter ton histoire avec la marque ?

Absolutely! What a series of fun events! At 22, I came to discover Paris without any real plan. A month after my arrival, I met Jean-Marc at a roller night at La Cigale (during which I broke my skate). He invited me to join his roller dance group. SkateXpress . How to say no? I was there to make friends. 

This is how I meet Laurence Sabas and Florian Gravier, and I discover a whole new kind of skating. Florian tells me about Flaneurz, which was just starting out, and offers me the chance to become a beta tester. Flaneurz gives me a pair of Stan Smith Adidas on wheels. That's how it all began.. 

 

/Utilises-tu tes Flaneurz au quotidien ? Si oui, de quelle manière ?

I use them very often for shopping and sometimes for work if I need to move quickly from one house to another, or even when I go to the beach to spend time with friends. It's great to be able to go into restaurants, then clip on the rolling parts and roll along the boardwalk.. 

/Enfin, as-tu des conseils à donner à quelqu'un qui n'oserait pas se mettre au roller ?

BEND YOUR KNEES! Skating is not walking. Every new skater will hear it a million times, but it's true.... You need to bend your knees more. 

Feel free to follow Jackie on all of her social media platforms such as Instagram and Youtube.