A classically trained ballerina from the age of thirteen, Patrica Zhou has become renowned for her choreography and modelling alongside a string of awards and accolades from the dance world. A friend of the house of Dior Beauty, we caught up with Patricia ahead of the brand’s immersive celebration for its viral lip product, the Dior Addict Lip Glow. A cult favourite that has returned to the spotlight with a new formula created under the guidance of Peter Philips, Creative and Image Director for Dior Beauty, the Dior Addict Lip Glow is the one product that Patricia always keeps on hand. 

Here, Patricia delves into the inner workings behind her own creativity, the art and early experiences that have guided her path and the strength she finds in community and collaboration. As we enter the year of the snake, a time of reflection and rebirth, Patricia reflects on key moments in her life, from daring and bold career and personal moves, to finding tranquility through self care and beauty practices as she looks forward to exciting new projects for the year ahead.

Sabrina Soormally: Can you tell us how your relationship with dance began?

Patricia Zhou: I started dancing when I was eight or so at a recreational studio with my older sister. We were dropped off after school to attend all sorts of classes. From lyrical to tap, to acro even. I think it was a way for my mom to keep us from going home and watching TV really as she was convinced it would make our brains rot or something… 

It wasn’t until I was 13 that I attended some professional-level ballet lessons and completely fell in love with it. Witnessing the beauty of ballet in person made me want to pursue it professionally. I had no idea what that journey would entail at the time, but something about the discipline and constant strive for perfection was quite enthralling.

Who are some of your favourite dancers? Titans of the industry that you have always looked up to?

Gah, this is always my most dreaded question! I’m a Libra through and through. Can never make a choice to save my life.

It’s really hard, there are so many incredible dancers that I love, and I think what I admire about them is how different and unique they are, how they might constantly be performing different characters but are simultaneously also so much themselves.

If I’m being completely honest, some of my favourite dancers are my adult students that I teach. The joy I see when they dance beats any technical feat for me… and their perseverance even when it’s Sunday at 10am and the combination is just a little too difficult is truly beautiful and awe-inspiring.

How does your classical dance background inform your own choreography now and can you tell us a bit about how you have evolved to find your own dance style?

It’s actually quite interesting because for most of my career I’d never even considered the possibility of becoming a choreographer. My main skillset lied in picking up different styles and being very adaptable, but also that required listening and doing exactly as told.

So in a way I never purposefully paid attention to how movement was being created and the process of composing a piece — but when I started to choreograph myself, I realised that I had inadvertently gained the skill set required from working with so many different choreographers with varying approaches to musicality and flow.

I’ve been able to find influences from the muscle memory of dancing all those works as well as through my ballet foundations which I like to think of as my home to create something which feels very me.

Where do you tend to look for inspiration when creating a routine? What inspires you creatively?

Music is the main reason why I love to dance. Being able to visually embody a piece of music and create a synergy between what the audience sees and hears has and always will be most important within my work.

All of the pieces I’ve created have started first and foremost with music, and I really find that if I’m struggling, as long as I am listening, the music will always tell me what to do.

How did you find the transition from being the dancer, to then choreographing those movements and guiding others?

It was a bit daunting at first as it was something I’d never dreamed of doing, but I was lucky to start choreographing during COVID. It was the perfect time for me really — pandemic aside — as I was able to explore a new side of myself as a creative within the comforts of my own home, without the judging eyes of others, or the self-doubt of working under pressure.

One thing that freed me up so much was the phrase, “don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” It made me realise that I just had to start somewhere and that thru the repetition of the process, I would naturally learn and improve.

It also helped that I started choreographing on myself. Once I got more comfortable with that, I gradually started to create with a collaborators and now I feel quite comfortable guiding an entire room!

How do those two processes (dance and choreography) differ, and what are the contrasts in the lessons that they have taught you?

I think the difference is as a dancer you are mainly listening and taking direction, whilst as a choreographer you are mainly leading the room and giving direction. However, I think the best collaborations are always when the lines blur a little bit and the dancer and choreographer are able to work together to create something unique.

I’m lucky as I still get to experience both sides, so nowadays I’m always quite conscious of what it’s like to be in the other side of the situation and try to communicate in a way that allows me as a dancer to make my needs heard, and also make sure that as a leader that I’m making a comfortable and safe environment for the people I’m working with.

You made the transition from dancer to choreographer during COVID, how did it feel taking that leap during such a tumultuous time? Where do you look for strength and support?

It all happened quite organically and I think COVID was actually the best time for me to make the transition!

I had gone freelance just shortly before the pandemic and was stuck by myself in LA, so I didn’t really have much to do. I started teaching ballet classes online, and I would spend most of the day choreographing little combinations that could be done in small spaces. Weirdly the limitations on space made me so much more creative as I wanted people to still really enjoy dancing and moving, when they were essentially stuck in one place. People really noticed the effort I put in and how special my classes were, which ended up building community in such a lovely way.

Those classes ended up turning into a full blown business and the support and love from students all around the world really gave me so much confidence and energy to create and flourish in a strange time. I’m really thankful for them.

Where do you find empowerment both in and out of work, and how does that inform your sense of confidence?

I moved to London around three-and-a-half years ago, kind of mid-COVID, and didn’t really know anyone apart from my partner and a couple friends. I’m not exactly sure how, but within the last few years I’ve been able to build an amazing network of clients, collaborators and friends that inspire me and keep me extremely busy whilst also being supportive of everything I do.

In times where there’s been less work, I’ve been able to use the time to make my own projects happen and find meaningful ways to keep exploring and learning.

In some ways it doesn’t scare me to not have work as I know I can make my own… that in itself is quite liberating and freeing!

Can you share a key moment in your career thus far that you’re particularly proud of?

I have the memory of a goldfish, so I’ll have to say my most recent key moment!I got to originate the role of Sugarplum in Olivier-award winning choreographer Drew McOnie’s Nutcracker at the Southbank Centre in 2023 and that was such a special moment. I think it was one of my favorite things I’ve ever done. This Nutcracker was set to a reimagined live-jazz version of Tchaikovsky’s score and took place in a small cabaret-style stage. We performed 9 shows a week for 10 weeks I think? And we really gave every show our all. It was so exhausting but so worth it.

Every so often I’ll still run into people at Pineapple who will ask me if I was in Drew’s Nutcracker and they always rave about how much they loved it.

As a choreographer and industry leader you’re in a unique position, being carried back and forth between the studio and the office, what do you look for in makeup to transition through these differing environments throughout the day?

I love makeup that can transition me from a ballet class to an event and then to meeting. Essentials that can support me through the many phases of my day. Usually I go for quite simple and fresh makeup that looks quite natural but also shows that I’ve put effort into presenting myself at my best!

How does the Dior Addict Lip Glow fit into that routine?

There’s nothing more calming to me than taking a moment to refresh my perfume and pop something on my lips during a long, hectic day. Dior Addict Lip Glow has the perfect amount of pigment whilst also being so hydrating — which I love. Perfect for my everyday look.

What is your go-to Dior Make Up product and why?

Funnily enough, Dior Addict Lip Glow was actually the very first luxury make-up item I ever bought! I picked it up at an airport whilst on tour many years ago and it ended up becoming one of my all-time favourite products! What a full circle moment to be talking about it with you.

Happy Lunar New Year! The year of the snake brings transformation, healing and wisdom – what are your goals for 2025 and what can we expect to see from you?

Thank you!! Yes! I am so excited for this year.

Weirdly even though it’s only been a couple days I can really feel an energy shift. This year I am really trying to get back on stage and perform as much as I can, and I have a few projects coming up that I sadly can’t disclose yet, but that will definitely fulfil those goals! So cheesy to say… but I guess, watch this space?!

Follow Patricia Zhou on Instagram here, and purchase the Dior Addict Lip Glow from dior.com

All images courtesy of Darren Gerrish for Christian Dior Parfums.