Interview Date: July 14th, 2025

Episode Summary:
Eden Shabtai shares how a kid from a tiny Israeli kibbutz—obsessed with MTV and training in ballet and modern—willed her way into New York’s scene and eventually L.A.’s major stages. She opens up about the unglamorous decade of artist development, underpaid gigs, and nonstop outreach that built the foundation for her “overnight” break assisting on Chris Brown’s Loyal, leading to major award shows and TV. A six-month backpacking trip through India reshaped her idea of success, while the O-1 visa process taught ruthless persistence. Eden also speaks candidly about receiving an aggressive breast-cancer diagnosis while five months pregnant, undergoing chemo with cold-cap treatments, and protecting her peace by avoiding toxic workrooms.

Creatively, Eden explains why she builds choreography live in the studio—feeding off dancers and music—and why energy, individuality, and attitude matter more than stacked résumés. Listeners will gain insight into using social media strategically, differences between NYC training and L.A. work volume, how to stand out in auditions (presence, styling, quick adjustments), and the mindset that sustains a career: humility, resilience, and community.

Shownotes:
(0:00 ) – Welcome and guest introduction
(8:20 ) – Early roots: ballet, modern, MTV influence
(13:53 ) – India trip reframes success and happiness
(15:24 ) – Visa grind: persistence, evidence, good lawyer
(18:53 ) – Moving to L.A.: training vs. booking realities
(21:08 ) – Breakthrough: assisting on “Loyal”
(26:44 ) – Favorite projects: BET 2014, Fleur East
(29:31 ) – Cancer while pregnant: resilience and boundaries
(42:05 ) – Creative process: energy-first choreography
(51:19 ) – What makes dancers stand out

Biography:
Originally from a kibbutz in northern Israel, Eden began training in ballet and modern at age 7. With no formal hip-hop classes available at the time, she learned by watching MTV. Determined to pursue dance professionally, she left home at 16 to study at a specialized dance school. After serving in the IDF, she spent six transformative months traveling India before moving to New York City to chase her dream.

In NYC, Eden trained at Broadway Dance Center and quickly became a sought-after teacher for over 150 young students while choreographing for up-and-coming artists. Realizing her long-term goals required a move west, she relocated to Los Angeles in 2010.

Since then, Eden has worked across NBC, ABC, BET, FOX, CBS, VH1, CW, and MTV. Her credits include the VMAs, Grammys, Billboard Awards, Dancing with the Stars, iHeart Radio Awards, BET Awards, Soul Train Awards, X Factor, The Ellen Show, James Corden, American Idol, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and more. She has choreographed campaigns for Hasbro, Office Max, Office Depot, HEB, and Clark’s.

Eden has worked with artists including Chris Brown, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Pitbull, Ava Max, Jason Derulo, Enrique Iglesias, Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne, Marc Anthony, Flo-Rida, Brandy, Omarion, Miguel, Pia Mia, Little Mix, Sevyn Streeter, No Doubt, Snoop Dogg, Kehlani, Janelle Monáe, Fleur East, Priyanka Chopra, Machine Gun Kelly, Tinashe, WizKid, Serayah, DJ Snake, Hardwell, YungBlud, Jack & Jack, and many more.

In 2017 Eden served as a Judge/Mentor on a new Israeli dance competition series, where she became the winning mentor. Today she works as a choreographer, artistic director, artist developer, and consultant—living by her belief that with hard work, mental strength, and determination, anything is possible.

Connect:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theedengarden/
Website – https://edenshabtai.com/