On Jan. 27 Fuse Network will premiere the upcoming season of "Saturday Morning Fever." The docu-comedy series tells the story of a long-running local Philadelphia dance show, "Dancin' On Air" and follows seven of its participants as they seek stardom.

Latin Post had the chance to talk to one of the patricipants Marisa Rivera, a dancer and entertainer. Rivera is from northeast Philadelphia and her first first dance teacher was her grandfather who instilled in her a love of dance through learning the bachata, salsa and meringue. She was also a former high school basketball player.

Rivera spoke about her journey to "Dancin' On Air" and her love for the entertainment business.

Latin Post: How did you get involved with this project?

Marisa Rivera: It all started when I was 16. My parents took me out of this casting agency. They put me in when I was a baby. My dad lost his job and it was a real struggle for them. He had me very very young. So when I was 16 I wanted to be back in it. I told my mom "who says I couldn't have been something by now." So my parent took me back to the agency. My agent told me that there was an audition for "Dancin' on Air" and that was back in 2012. So ever since then I've been loyal to "Dancin' on Air." There my family, I love them, they love me.

LP: Can you tell me about your experience on "Dancin' on Air?"

MR: It was fun. It's a lot of fun and of course there is drama and some cattiness. Its really fun. Everyone has something different to bring. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and different everything. It's fun for me and I'm happy to be on a national TV show.

LP: You're a choreographer, correct?

MR: No. I try to do choreography. I'm more of a person who say's "you show me what to do and I'll kill it."

LP: But on the first episode of "Saturday Morning Fever" you choreographed Tina's performance?

MR: Yes, I have done that for her in the past so I do do that for her. But if it's something else I'll Try. I always do try but I never will call myself a choreographer.

LP: Is Choreography something you would like to explore in the future?

MR: My style is more choreographed. I am such a perfectionist when it comes to dancing that I will literally practice it like ten times. And if I mess up in the slightest bit, I beat myself up. I need to have structure when I dance.

LP: What type of music do you like to dance to?

MR: I like to dance to a lot of different styles. Like I like of course salsa and a lot of people think salsa is hardest but it's the most fun. Also Merengue and bachata. My main thing is hiphop. I like to hip hop and shake my butt so why not.

LP: Can you tell me a little bit about your relationship with Tina on this show?

MR: I met Tina when I was 15. I was in her first music video and ever since then we've hit it off. We've had this friendship going for like four years. I've backup danced for her many times. So when she asked me to choreograph for I'm like, "yeah sure, I've got your back." I know that she knows that I make her look good. She is the focus when she performs. It's fun.

LP: What is fun and challenging about back up dancing?

MR: Backup dancing allows me to be comfortable and confident on stage. Do I want to be a backup dancer forever, no I don't. I want to be the main star which I am. I am working myself but if it's for her, I'll do it.

LP: "Saturday Morning Fever" is a reality TV show. What are the lines between acting and reality?

MR: Reality is real and acting is not you. You're pretending to be someone else. With reality your you. You either have it or you don't. Being on the other side of it, I've learned so much. I am real on the show. What you see is what you get. I don't pretend to be somebody else. I am a hundred percent me. I can't speak for everybody else but I am myself.

LP: You said you learned so much, what did you learn from the show?

MR: I learned a lot about the cast. Because I wasn't really close to them at the beginning. I learned how to be more comfortable with myself especially with the camera. A lot of people look at you and I was really shy when I was very young and just to see myself grow and come out of my comfort zone is something special. It's fun for me to find myself.

LP: What is your main goal in the future?

MR: My main goal is to entertain. I was always dancing and I've done acting in school. I just have a passion for entertainment, period. I would love this to be connected to a movie or anything. I do makeup on the side and create my line. Being in the entertainment industry is fine for me. A lot of people want to be famous for greed. I'm not doing it for the money. I'm doing it because it's my passion. Because I don't want to have a boring job and regret it and this is what I want to do.

LP: How do you hope people respond to the show?

MR: I hope people respond positively. I know that there are going to be some haters but I'm sure there is someone on the show that others can relate to.

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