My reflections on Zouk Family: I've never been called a spy so many times in my life

The first time was at a ZoukMX after party this past February 2026. It was at Sasha’s Airbnb in Playa del Carmen — one of the organizers of Zouk Family. Hammocks. Red lights. Dank music.

And me, apparently, a Brazilian spy for the BZDC (Brazilian Zouk Dance Council).

People were half joking. But also… not entirely.

The reason is simple: I’ve been dancing zouk since the beginning — in Brazil. Brazilian Zouk is what I know. I’ve lived there, trained there, made friends there. The interpretations of zouk outside of Brazil? I’m much less familiar.

About Zouk Family

Zouk Family has existed for five years. Entry is by application only. It creates alternative workshops and experiences for skilled zoukers — far beyond foundations and technique.

In the weeks leading up to their congress, they were at the center of controversy. They released a promotional video that included lap dancing. And lap dances ≠ Brazilian Zouk.

Several major Brazilian Zouk organizers publicly condemned the video, calling out what they saw as the sexualization of zouk. Some even stated that the artists who appeared in the video would not be invited to their events.

Then came the backlash.

A zouk memes page pointed out what many felt was hypocrisy: Brazilian Zouk itself contains movements like sarrada and quadradinha that can also be interpreted as sexual. I agree with that point.

Then more voices entered the conversation — around trauma, consent, expression, identity, power.

Underneath it all was a real concern: protecting the identity of Brazilian Zouk. There are deep scars in the lambada lineage. Many don’t want newcomers confusing lap dancing with Brazilian Zouk, or reducing the dance to something purely sexual.

Having lived in Brazil — having partied, trained, and built real friendships there — and also having attended Zouk Family, I can genuinely see both sides.

Why I didn’t post the jokes

I had planned to release some funny reels about Zouk Family. But after everything unfolded, I stopped.

Most people wouldn’t understand the nuance. And I don’t want to misrepresent Zouk Family — just like Brazilian zoukers may have felt misrepresented when Zouk Family marketed with lap dances under the name “Zouk.”

If we’re asking for understanding, we have to practice it too.

My experience there

Zouk Family gave me some of the most novel experiences I’ve had in a dance space.

There was shibari — Japanese rope tying. Something I would normally shy away from. I had almost no exposure to that world.

Before attending, I made a promise to myself: go in open. Open mind. Open heart. Curiosity without prejudice.

And I learned so much about myself.

No, Zouk Family is not “about” kinks or lap dances or sex — even though those elements were present. What it was about, at its core, was vulnerability. Honest expression. Communication. Consent. Safety.

It was about container.

It was about creating an environment where people could explore parts of themselves that are normally shamed or suppressed — but in a structured, intentional way.

I learned that I struggle to ask for what I want.
That I carry shame around expression if it’s not “perfect.”
That it’s actually okay to feel desire.
To ask.
And to receive a no.

Consent and communication aren’t restrictions. They’re beautiful.

Where I stand

I want more people to experience this — not necessarily Zouk Family specifically, but these conversations.

More talks about the Wheel of Consent at zouk congresses.
More education around safety.
More tools for navigating connection.

Instead of cancelling movements like this, I believe bridge-building is the way forward.

Because what I took from Zouk Family wasn’t just a good time. I took tools. Tools that make my dancing better. Tools that make my relationships better. Tools that make my life better.

As dance professionals, our responsibility is to create the best experience possible for our communities. And that includes safety, communication, and self-awareness.

I don’t have the next steps mapped out.

But I’m deeply grateful for the experience. And I would recommend it to anyone genuinely interested in expanding themselves — especially in areas society tends to demonize or misunderstand.

I don’t believe cancelling this embodied movement creates value. If anything, the global backlash only amplified it.

If the goal is protecting identity — or power — or culture — I believe collaboration will do more than condemnation ever could.

As for the funny espionage reels from my undercover Brazilian spy era…

Those will need a bit more integration first.