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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Music and Concerts devider Filipino street dancer takes the global stage at Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals in LA

Filipino street dancer takes the global stage at Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals in LA

By MBrand
Published Oct 1, 2025 11:28 pm
Sam 'Nemesis' Rivera performs during Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final at Ayala Center Cebu, Philippines, on May 24, 2025. (Christopher Sy)
Sam 'Nemesis' Rivera performs during Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final at Ayala Center Cebu, Philippines, on May 24, 2025. (Christopher Sy)
After a hard-fought win at the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finals last May, Cebuana street dancer Sam Rivera known in battles as ‘Nemesis’, is set to represent the Philippines, showcasing Filipino flair, rhythm, and freestyle creativity at the Red Bull Dance Your Style 2025 World Finals happening on Oct. 11 to 12 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.
The world stage awaits
After months of high-energy dance battles across the globe, the world’s best dancers are converging in Los Angeles for the ultimate one-on-one freestyle showdown. Champions from over 50 countries will bring their unique moves, cultural influences, and raw improvisation skills, creating a competition that’s as unpredictable as it is exciting.
The Philippines’ very own Nemesis is more than ready to face off the top dancers from all over the world, proving Filipinos have what it takes to take on the biggest international stage for street dance.
Training for the battle​
After competing as a Red Bull Dance Your Style National Finalist in 2024, Nemesis returned this year stronger than ever, securing the crown at the 2025 National Finals in her hometown Cebu. Since that milestone win, Nemesis has been getting ready, refining her Krump freestyle, endurance, and stage presence to prepare for the world spotlight.
Nemesis during the Dance Your Style Nationals in Cebu City, Philippines on May 24, 2025. (Michael Perfecto)
Nemesis during the Dance Your Style Nationals in Cebu City, Philippines on May 24, 2025. (Michael Perfecto)
“This year I’m really in it to win, but I also remind myself to have fun on stage when I’m dancing. Just vibe with the music and trust my body’s instincts,” said Nemesis. “I’m the type of freestyle dancer that doesn’t prepare for sets, I just need to condition my body, relying on muscle-memory, as well as drills, also concepts and ideas to generate movements from there.”
The Filipino finalist also shared how mindset is just as important as physical training: “Readying myself mentally and emotionally for the pressure, because LA is where the best dancers are. But I take it as an opportunity to learn from them.”
On Nemesis' approach for the World Final, she shared, “My goal is still to just give a good performance. So others will see that ‘Wow! This is what dancers in the Philippines are like!’ It depends on the crowd, but as long as you give a good performance, other people will see that you’re amazing.”
Spectators vote during the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final at Ayala Center in Cebu, Philippines on May 24, 2025. (Christopher Sy)
Spectators vote during the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final at Ayala Center in Cebu, Philippines on May 24, 2025. (Christopher Sy)
Countdown to the finals in LA
The Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals will bring together the best of the global street dance scene during the World Finals Week, running from Oct. 7 to 11. The main World Finals competition takes place on Oct. 11 at the Intuit Dome, Los Angeles, where dancers will go head-to-head in freestyle battles, with the twist that the crowd decides who moves forward. Catch the action live on Red bull TV on Oct. 11 at 9 PM (PDT) / Oct. 12 at 12 PM (Philippine time).
With global champions, rising stars, and local heroes in the mix, the competition promises to be an explosive display of creativity and artistry. Only one dancer will walk away as the 2025 Red Bull Dance Your Style World Champion.
Sam
Sam "Nemesis" Rivera wins the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final at Ayala Center in Cebu, Philippines on May 24, 2025. // Christopher Sy / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202505270743 // Usage for editorial use only //
Cheer on nemesis’ world finals journey​
On Oct. 7 to 11, show your support for Nemesis as she represents the Philippines on the world stage in Los Angeles. Follow Red Bull PH and Red Bull Dance on social media for the latest updates.
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