Born in Brazil and raised on rhythm, Ferly Prado is a dancer whose fire cannot be dimmed. With a résumé that reads like a pop culture hall of fame—Beyoncé, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and Tina Turner among others—Prado isn’t just a background performer; she is the embodiment of soul, power, and presence. Now, as one of the creative forces behind Glitz: The Show Kids Show at Gipsy Nightclub in Las Vegas, she’s bringing the spotlight to the dancers who have long lived in the shadows of stardom.

Ferly is fierce, fluid, and unforgettable. Her journey from a chubby kid with bronchitis in São Paulo to an international dance phenom is anything but ordinary. In our exclusive QVegas interview, she opened up about her roots, her rise, and the radiant force behind her newest Vegas venture.

Rhythm in the Blood

Prado's love for movement began early at her mother’s dance and music academy in São Paulo. "I wasn't forced. I was just following in my sister's footsteps," she recalls. Her early years were shaped by tap, flamenco, ballet, and jazz. But more than the steps, it was the intellectual side of dance that drew her in. "I appreciated the cerebral part—memorization, formations."

But things changed when her sister expressed a desire to dance at Lincoln Center. Her father, a self-made businessman who rose from poverty to become president of Johnson & Johnson in Brazil, saw opportunity in the United States. One audition led to another, and before she knew it, Ferly was also accepted to a Russian ballet boarding school in the U.S. Not because she had dreams of dance at the time, but simply because she missed her sister.

What followed was rigorous training that stripped the joy from the art. "I thought to be great meant you couldn’t have joy." But a pivotal moment came when she studied under Fernando Bujones, the "Cuban Baryshnikov," who showed her that passion and precision weren’t mutually exclusive. "That changed everything for me. I went from technician to performer."

The Strip Club That Started It All

Prado's first professional gig at 18 was in a burlesque show called Tease at Century Club in Los Angeles. "I went from Tease to Dita Von Teese," she laughs. Though it wasn’t exactly the stage she had envisioned, the show had respected choreographers and offered a crash course in the entertainment industry. "It was sexy, but safe. A great first impression."

From there, her career took off. With each gig came new lessons, but none were more formative than working with Tina Turner.

Tina Saved Her Life—Literally

"Tina Turner didn’t just influence me. She kept me in the country." At a time when Ferly was trying to escape an abusive marriage, her husband attempted to have her deported. Turner intervened, involving her own attorney to ensure Ferly could remain in the U.S.

But beyond immigration battles, Turner set the gold standard for what it means to serve an audience. "She gave her all. Sick or not, every night. She demanded that from us too, but you wanted to give it because she led by example."

Ferly’s list of artists is impressive: Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez, Cheyenne. Each had a moment of impact. Spears, she remembers, was "so sweet but so sad" during a difficult period in her life. Timberlake helped her level up. Perry gave her a chance to choreograph a tribute to Brazil. And Cheyenne? That choreographer was the first to call her a star.

"I had heard 'you dance too big' so many times. But trying not to be yourself is exhausting."

The Power of Glitz

Now based in Las Vegas, Ferly is one of the stars of Dita Von Teese: A Jubilant Revue. But her heart is equally invested in her students at Prado Dance, a studio she founded to help adult women rediscover dance.

"These are 9-to-5 women, stay-at-home moms, people who never got the chance to pursue their dreams. Now they’re performing with us, and you can’t tell the difference. That’s the goal."

It was this sense of inclusion and purpose that drew her to Glitz: The Show Kids Show, a high-concept cabaret created by QVegas Creative Director and Partnership Strategist Garrett Pattiani. Originally intended to highlight singer Estevan Velasco, Glitz evolved into a tribute to Gipsy Nightclub’s iconic past and the uncelebrated performers who keep the Strip alive.

"Garrett told me the story of Marge, the fight to keep Gipsy open, and the term 'show kids.' These were the artists who weren’t welcome anywhere else. I was like, this is it. I’m in."

With co-stars Estevan Velasco and Cierra Bliss, Glitz: Heart, Body & Soul represents a deeply personal take on the show kid experience. Each iteration of Glitz has had a unique theme—its history, Pride, the closing of Las Vegas shows. But this latest version brings the cast's own stories to the forefront.

Heart, Body & Soul

Estevan, representing the "heart," opens up about life as a gay man and the emotional terrain he's had to navigate. Cierra, embodying the "body," reflects on her evolving relationship with her own form and how embracing her curves has become an act of power. Ferly, the "soul," shares her immigrant journey and her spiritual belief in divine timing.

"I talk about coming here at 12, not knowing what would happen, and how every job—from Tina to J.Lo—landed at the exact time I needed it."

The show also features a robust ensemble: Sarah Johnston and Adam Moss perform a pole duet based on Ferly’s story. Dita alumni Shane Davis and Yasel Marino add depth. And over 30 prodigies from Prado Dance share the stage, erasing the line between amateur and professional.

Why the Show Kids Matter

"You don’t see a show with just the artist standing alone in the street. There’s a whole crew behind them you never know about," Ferly explains. "Most dancers' names are in someone’s Dropbox folder. But they matter."

That’s the mission of Glitz. To flip the script. To show the audience why the stars picked these dancers to stand beside them. It’s not about a marquee name—it’s about giving credit where it’s due.

"Let the artists we danced for now take a seat. The stage is ours."

A Message for the Audience

Prado hopes audiences leave Glitz inspired to reflect on their own lives. "Whether it's your heart, your body, or your soul that needs a little love, we want you to walk away more whole."

And for Pride Month? "This isn’t a 'Pride Show' but it’s full of pride. We’re telling queer stories, immigrant stories, human stories. This stage belongs to everyone."

Ferly Prado is more than a dancer. She’s a visionary, a teacher, a soul with rhythm. In Glitz, she’s not just telling her story—she’s giving the mic to every show kid who ever danced in the shadows. And finally, the lights are on them.

Catch Glitz: The Show Kids Show – Heart, Body & Soul June 21, 2025 at Gipsy Nightclub. Tickets and more information at gipsylasvegas.com