The juries
Essential figures of the fire knife
Rex Tiumalu is an iconic figure in Polynesian culture and an exceptional artist based in Orlando, Florida. A multiple award-winning fire knife dancer, Rex has won prestigious competitions such as the World’s Fireknife Competition in 2009 and 2010, as well as the Fireknife of Samoa International Fireknife Competition in 2012 and 2016.
Artist and Cultural Ambassador
Since 2012, he has been practicing his talents at Walt Disney World as a Polynesian dancer, musician and fire performer in shows such as The Festival of the Lion King and The Spirit of Aloha. In addition, he plays a key role as a cultural ambassador for Disney, providing training on Polynesian protocols and traditions, helping to promote diversity and inclusion in the entertainment world.
Diverse and International Experiences
Rex’s career spans several major entertainment platforms. Whether at Universal Studios, SeaWorld or the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii, he has captivated audiences with his vibrant performances, mixing dance, singing, percussion and impressive mastery of the fire knife. With Cirque Maceo, he travels the United States as a traveling performer.
Entrepreneur and Promoter of Polynesian Culture
Co-founder of Hula Afi Entertainment and The Mana Collective, Rex uses his expertise to lead projects that highlight the richness of Polynesian stories in film, television and stage productions. As host of the podcast Fireknife Life, he creates a platform of inspiration for Polynesian artists and entrepreneurs.
An Inspiring Leader
Rex Tiumalu is also an accomplished mentor, having supervised artists, choreographed shows and coordinated large-scale events with Tihati Productions. His mastery of the Samoan language, his skills in improvisation and his experience as a motivator and trainer make him a key player in the world of performance and cultural education.
Honors and Commitment
With an impressive track record, including the Top Equity Performer Award from Walt Disney World in 2013, Rex continues to excel as a multidisciplinary artist. He embodies the perfect blend of creativity, cultural transmission and artistic excellence.
In short, Rex Tiumalu is not only a performer, but also a committed ambassador and visionary creator, dedicated to the enrichment and promotion of Polynesian culture throughout the world. Rex Tiumalu is an iconic figure of Polynesian culture and an exceptional artist based in Orlando, Florida. A multiple award-winning fire knife dancer, Rex has won prestigious competitions such as the World’s Fireknife Competition in 2009 and 2010, as well as the Fireknife of Samoa International Fireknife Competition in 2012 and 2016.
Artist and Cultural Ambassador
Since 2012, he has been performing at Walt Disney World as a Polynesian dancer, musician and fire performer in shows such as The Festival of the Lion King and The Spirit of Aloha. In parallel, he plays a key role as a cultural ambassador for Disney, providing training on Polynesian protocols and traditions, helping to promote diversity and inclusion in the entertainment world.
Varied and International Experiences
Rex’s career spans several major entertainment platforms. Whether at Universal Studios, SeaWorld or the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii, he has captivated audiences with his vibrant performances, combining dance, song, percussion and impressive mastery of the fire knife. With Cirque Maceo, he travels the United States as a traveling performer.
Entrepreneur and Promoter of Polynesian Culture
Co-founder of Hula Afi Entertainment and The Mana Collective, Rex uses his expertise to lead projects that highlight the richness of Polynesian stories in film, television and stage productions. As host of the podcast Fireknife Life, he creates a platform of inspiration for Polynesian artists and entrepreneurs.
An Inspiring Leader
Rex Tiumalu is also an accomplished mentor, having supervised artists, choreographed shows and coordinated large-scale events with Tihati Productions. His mastery of the Samoan language, his skills in improvisation and his experience as a motivator and trainer make him a key player in the world of performance and cultural education.
Distinctions and Commitment
With an impressive track record, including the Top Equity Performer award presented by Walt Disney World in 2013, Rex continues to excel as a multidisciplinary artist. He embodies the perfect alliance between creativity, cultural transmission and artistic excellence.
In short, Rex Tiumalu is not only a performer, but also a committed ambassador and a visionary creator, dedicated to the enrichment and promotion of Polynesian culture throughout the world.
Joseph Cadousteau, an emblematic figure of fire knife dancing, embodies perseverance and excellence in this spectacular discipline. Originally from Tahiti, his career is marked by challenges, failures, resounding victories and enriching experiences.
The beginnings: from failure to first victory
In 2001, Joseph took his first steps in the “Te Ahi Nui” competition. His baptism of fire was difficult: he burned his shoulder and dropped his knife seven times, leading to his premature elimination. But this failure became a springboard. A few months later, he won the fire dancing competition at the Heiva in Tahiti. This victory marked a turning point: he asked Leon Teai, an experienced dancer, to take him under his wing. With Leon and his sons, Dana and Terai, he found a family of heart and a team that would accompany him in his greatest successes.
The rise: from local competitions to the world stage
In the following years, Joseph steadily climbed the ranks. In 2002, he won “Te Ahi Nui” in the fire knife category. The following year, he placed second behind Tamaru Colombel, a rising star in the discipline. This confrontation remains a highlight of his career.
Despite setbacks such as his elimination in 2005 in the first round of “Te Ahi Nui”, Joseph did not give up. That same year, he won the Faaa competition and earned a place at the prestigious World Fire Knife Competition 2006 in Hawaii. Alongside his teammates Heiva and Dana, the Tahitian “Dream Team” shone by winning second place in the world.
The peak: world champion and international artist
Between 2007 and 2017, Joseph alternated between prestigious competitions and shows. Hired as a fire knife dancer at Hong Kong Disneyland for the Festival of the Lion King show, he impressed with his charisma and technical mastery. After three years, he joined Cirque du Soleil in the show Alegria, an opportunity that enriched his stage experience.
On the competitive level, he had his greatest triumph by winning three World Fire Knife Champion titles (2012, 2013 and 2015). These victories crowned an already brilliant career and placed him among the best in his discipline.
Transmission and new beginnings
Back in Tahiti in 2017, Joseph opened his dance school, “Ahi Toa”. Although the initiative was short-lived, it demonstrated his desire to pass on his knowledge. In 2018, he moved to the United States, where he became manager of the Condon Hotel in Oregon, while continuing to compete. His passion remains intact, as proven by his victories at the Toa Afi Orlando in 2021 and 2022.
A career marked by tenacity
Even after recent eliminations at the world championships in 2023 and 2024, Joseph embodies the spirit of perseverance. His motto, “Never Give Up – Let the best win“, reflects a philosophy that inspires many dancers.
Achievements
Joseph Cadousteau has an impressive track record at the World Fire Knife Competition:
- Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015
- 2nd runner-up: 2018, 2019, 2022
- 1st runner-up: 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010
- 2nd runner-up: 2008
A legacy on fire
Joseph Cadousteau, with his career rich in emotions and exploits, remains a role model for young talents. His participation in the 2024 Legacy Competition is highly anticipated, but his legacy is already etched in the history of fire knife dancing.
Heiva Potelle, a passionate and talented fire dancer, has been practicing this art since 1999. Originally from Tahiti, he discovered and perfected his talent within the Tamariki Poerani group, where he learned the basics of this spectacular discipline. Driven by his love for traditional dance and fire arts, Heiva quickly evolved his style by integrating performances with the Fenua group and collaborating with several renowned groups such as Les Grands Ballets de Tahiti, Hei Tahiti, Heikuranui, and Ori I Tahiti.
An internationally renowned artist
In 2010 and 2012, he had the opportunity to work in an amusement park in Japan, an experience that enriched his art and his vision of the show. He regularly competes in prestigious competitions, including the famous World Fireknife Dance Championship in Hawaii, where he made his debut in 1999 and competed every year until 2016.
Among his many successes, Heiva has distinguished himself several times at the local Te Ahi Nui competition, winning first place in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2014 and 2015. In 2008, he obtained a third place in duet at the world championship with his partner Dana Teai. He was also a member of the Te Ahi Nui competition jury between 2010 and 2013, bringing his expertise and experience to new generations.
A family legacy
Heiva attributes his passion and mastery of fire dancing to his late uncle, Isaac, an exceptional artist who toured the world for three years, notably with the prestigious Cirque du Soleil troupe, in the show Alegría. It was Isaac who helped Heiva perfect his posture, his stage attitude and transform his juggling into a real dance with fire knives.
Thanks to his commitment and dedication, Heiva Potelle today embodies a unique blend of Polynesian tradition and artistic innovation. He continues to amaze spectators with his technical mastery and energy on stage, making the art of fire dancing shine throughout the world.
Mauruuru roa, Heiva, for keeping this tradition alive and evolving with such passion and talent.
Dana Teai, 36 years old, is an emblematic figure of fire dancing in French Polynesia. Originally from Faa’a, he carries within him a strong family heritage: his father, Léon Teai, is the president of the TE TAMA AHI association, recognized for having won the very first fire dancing competition in French Polynesia in 1999.
From the age of 9, Dana immersed himself in the world of this spectacular art, combining discipline, tradition and artistic expression. At only 11 years old, he took his first notable steps by winning a title in the espoir category. The rest of his career is marked by impressive victories that testify to his exceptional talent and commitment.
In 2004, at the age of 16, he reached the professional 2 fires category, where he won his first title of champion of Polynesia. A year later, in 2005, he proudly represented his island at the World Fire Dance Championship, placing among the top 9 participants.
Dana continued his rise by becoming champion in the 16-21 age category in 2006, and again champion of Polynesia in 2008. During the same championship, he teamed up with Heiva Teai, and the duo won an impressive 3rd place at the world level. In 2012, Dana once again confirmed his mastery and supremacy by winning a new title of champion of Polynesia.
Ambassador of fire dance, Dana Teai embodies not only performance, but also the transmission of traditional know-how deeply rooted in Polynesian culture. Throughout his career, he perpetuates the spirit of competition and excellence instilled by his father and inspires younger generations to embrace this unique discipline.
