Ep.10: Marawa the Amazing: High Heels, Hula Hoops & Piñatas
I first came across Marawa years ago on Instagram, and like so many hoopers, I was instantly drawn in. Her troupe, The Majorettes, had this amazing mix of fun, charisma and confidence, every act full of personality and playfulness.
Not long after that, I went along to one of The Majorettes training days in London. I still remember it. Every Tuesday in this big hall in Shoreditch. I was really new to hula hooping at the time and a bit nervous walking in, but the energy was lovely. Everyone was warm and welcoming, and Marawa was holding auditions back then. I gave it a go, but I definitely was not ready yet. Still, it was such a great experience, and that was actually the first time I met Marawa. Even as a complete beginner, I felt encouraged and inspired just watching her teach. She has this amazing way of making people feel confident.
Years later, during the lockdowns, Marawa inspired me again. I started seeing her skating videos and thought, I have to try that. I bought a pair of her Marawa Gold IMPALA roller skates and started teaching myself to skate, and of course I brought my hoops along. Every day I would walk down to an underground car park near my house, since we had to stay within five kilometres back then, and that became my practice space. I spent months down there learning how to skate with hoops, sometimes getting told off by security, but I ignored it and kept going. I was determined.
When I eventually moved back to Ireland, I felt like there was nothing here quite like The Majorettes. London had this sense of community that I really missed, so I decided to create something inspired by that, my own version with a Bubble Bum twist: bold colours, velvet, stripes and a bit of cheekiness. This is how The Bubblettes were born.
The name came from my circuswear brand Bubble Bum, but it was also very much inspired by The Majorettes. I wanted to acknowledge the influence that Marawa and her work had on me in a way that felt respectful and true. I even applied for funding to have Marawa as a mentor for the project because I genuinely valued her expertise and vision. I did not get the funding, but her work still guided me, and I continued with the idea in my own small way by building a little troupe rather than a full show.
Since then, The Bubblettes have grown slowly and we have had some great gigs around Ireland. One day I would love to bring The Bublettes to the Maldives, where I regularly perform. For now though, we are based here in Ireland and I am proud of what we have created. I make all the costumes through Bubble Bum and we usually perform in cheeky ruffled sets, themed and tailored to each event depending on what the client wants.
So from those first classes in Shoreditch to skating through lockdowns to building a little troupe here in Ireland, Marawa has been a big inspiration along the way. I am so happy to chat properly with her in this episode.
Early Days
Jess: Before we get into everything, I would love to start with something simple. Where did you grow up, and where are you answering these questions from today? I always find it fascinating to picture where someone is sitting in the world while sharing their story.
Marawa: Hiiiii! Ok I am sitting in a window nook - looking out at a very rainy melbourne skyline even though is summer, because its melbourne, so 4 seasons in a day is the norm.. I grew up here, we lived overseas for a big chunk of my child hood, PNG, Middle East.. but we always came back to Melbourne.
Jess: You have had such a vibrant and wide ranging career. You are one of those artists who seems to have done it all, from circus and skating to producing shows to running a hula hoop troupe and managing your own shop. How did everything begin for you, and what first drew you into performing? What was your background before all of this? Did you go to any circus schools, and could you share a bit about that experience with us?
Marawa: I did a lot of gymnastics at school - I loved it - I loved rollerskating, I loved trampolines, i loved dancing. Performing came much later.. Tbh I think I just worked out how to perform so that I could keep doing the other stuff - I loved that I could make it my job! I went to NICA in Melbourne - that’s where I started figuring all the performing stuff out. I loved my time there - The coaches were all ex performers so it was a great environment.
Jess: When did roller skating first come into your life? Was it something you always loved, or did it come later through your performance work?
Marawa: I don’t remember a time in my life without rollerskates - I was 2 when I started - I have no memory of learning how to do it - so it took me a long time to work out how to teach people, I think when you start early with anything like that - its so second nature - it can be hard to break it down to teach people
The Majorettes
Jess: As well as your solo work, you also created something really special with The Majorettes. How did that troupe come about, and what inspired you to start it?
Marawa: The Majorettes were originally a project with the roundhouse in camden - they asked me to lead a project to make a performance troupe for the london olympic torch relay - it was meant to be a one off show - but the olympic organisers loved it so much they booked us to perform at olympic park all throughout the olympics - this got the troupe immediately polished - as they were performing multiple times a day - and from there we just kept going - it was such an amazing group! We are coming up to 14 years now!
Jess: I remember going to your Tuesday training sessions in Shoreditch, London when I was only starting out with hooping. The energy in the room was so warm. Everyone was friendly and supportive. I was very new at the time and definitely not ready, but I still went for the audition and I learned so much from being in that space. How did you find that Shoreditch space, and what was your vision for those sessions? What did you hope people would take from being part of that community?
Marawa: Shoreditch Town Hall have been so supportive of our group - when we no longer could train at the roundhouse I went looking for other spaces and James PIdgeon who at the time was at STH welcomed us with open arms and we are still there! We have taught classes and trained there for over 10 years- and we love the community around that space.
Jess: The Majorettes had such a strong look and a really fun performance style. One thing I always noticed was the charisma and the cheeky expressions, the way the face was part of the choreography. You do this in your own shows too, where your expressions are so bold and animated it feels like your face is performing along with your body. It is so cool to watch. Where did that style come from for you? Was it something you learned through clowning, was it from a director, or did it develop naturally over time?
Marawa: I think it was a weird evolution of deciding I needed to own the look of “this is hard and maybe I am going to get hit in the face’ better to do it on purpose than just look awkward?!?! Or something like that.. People kept telling me I looked like Jospehine Baker which I didn’t have any context for at the time- youtube barely existed if you can believe it back then haha! But then in 2008 I ended up playing her in a show in NYC for a year and did tons of research and found lots of pictures and some video ( it was still hard to get hold of then!) and was kind of amazed.. She was the best! And I love to think that what I was doing was reminding people of her.
Jess: When I moved back to Ireland, I kept thinking about how much I missed that sense of community. You were a huge inspiration when I started creating The Bublettes. I even applied for funding to have you as my mentor. I did not get it, but you still took the time to be open and helpful when I reached out. You were so approachable and supportive, and that meant a lot, especially at a time when I did not know you well at all. There was never any sense of competition, only encouragement. Where does that openness come from for you, and how important is community in the way you work?
Marawa: I am obsessed with community!! I LOVE all things community - I literally just got out of a meeting at the local community centre here in my neighbourhood in Melbourne! Without community - what is the point?! When we work together, share information, support each other, it just makes life worth living, and a shared experience, which for me personally is the best.
Life, Balance and Motherhood
Jess: You are a mum of two and you still manage to juggle performing, creating and running your projects. How do you find balance between family life and your creative life?
Marawa: I feel like you should be answering this question knowing how long it’s taken me to answer you!!! ( Sorry again for taking so long!!) I don’t think I have worked out how to balance it - and tbh I am not sure that you can.. I think for most creatives when you are in the zone, you are IN IT. and without being in it, you can’t really get anything done, or really sink into a project. I say to everyone around me, (and myself over and over again ha) it’s 5 years. Which sometimes feels like a long time, but also doesn’t. 5 years if you really want to be an involved parent, change the nappies, do the sleepless nights ( for years eeeep) feed them, read to them, teach them, and then - send them off to school !!! haha - at which point you get a little bit of time back.. But it’s just different - everything is different - and I am nearly 2 years into my second round of 5 years .. time doesn’t move the same way, projects and work don’t feel exactly the same.. Because how could they? An entire human came out of your body - nothing should feel the same after that! I am still working on projects, I just had a new skate come out, I’m hosting a rollerdisco this weekend- but I am super selective about what I work on rn, I try not to feel defeated about not being able to do as much creative work as I used to - I’m excited about the future and how these changes impact what I do next.
Jess: You had your shop in Gillette Square called The Hooper Market. How did that whole project begin for you? What sparked the idea to open a physical space like that, and what was the experience of running it like?
Marawa: Similar to the community thing - I have always loved retail, cafes, hospitality, I love a space that people can come to hang out - the hoopermarket just made so much sense - but so little money ! But thankfully I managed to find a community space and could make the rent work and I LOVED ITTTT, everyone would come to visit, I wake up so early, I would be there at 6am, drinking ethiopian coffee, getting all my email done, so then when people started visiting I would just drink more coffee and talk and plan and dream up crazy ideas - it was the best time. I loved that place so much! We had a wooden cactus called miranda that lived out the front with hoops hanging on the arms and kids and adults would come and hoop in the square, and occasionally someone would try and nick one but someone would always march them back from the high street to apologise and return it! Everyone knew that the hoops were for everyone, so nobody wanted to see them get stolen!
Jess: And then Paradise. How did your online shop come to life? Was it something that grew naturally from your work, or did you intentionally set out to build an online brand alongside performing?
Marawa: It started with hoops, which was a ridiculous idea, it was insane, me going to the post office with arms full of wrapped hoops being sent all over the UK.. I am sure I spent more money than I ever made on that.. But I loved it. Then I started trying to make more logical things to send, tshirts, etc. Then when I moved to the US, I started looking into the garment district there - I met people who had small sewing teams who were making small runs for LA based Labels - this was appealing to me, made local, I could see all the people sewing when I went for fittings etc, so it was a fun way to start getting things made that I liked to wear - I don’t think I really planned it.. But it just sort of kept evolving and by then I had moved all that side of things to the US so it was all in one place and easy to run. I loved the idea of having an online shop to sell all the various things related to my work, it was all varied, but together it made sense because it was all somehow connected to me.
Jess: You manage all these different streams and teams, and you still perform at such a high level. How do you balance it all? I started Bubble Bum as a way to stay connected to the community while also being able to work from home, especially with family life. But I find it so hard sometimes. I can be sitting at my computer for hours when really I would love to be training more. It feels like such a battle. How do you navigate that balance between admin, business and keeping your practice alive?
Marawa: You have to have a balance! When it’s all admin, you get depressed, when it’s all training, you get anxiety about being behind on the admin haha - it’s tricky! The best thing I ever did was a year with a business coach - maureen pound - she just created so much clarity for me about what was important and what wasn’t - she saved me so much time - I wish I had met her 10 years earlier! I think I was 36 and feeling overwhelmed and confused about everything, which I think is very common for creatives, but she just brought structure and showed me how everything I was doing was connected, rather than feeling like I was simultaneously doing 15 different careers. I think having an outside eye whether its a business couch, GOOD therapist, GREAT friend who’s organised… it’s always good to get a few different perspectives.. And make a (detailed!) plan!
Jess: Do your children ever get involved with what you do, or come along to shows?
Marawa: The only shows they have seen they have been involved in! We have a little magic act we have been doing, i love it, makes me very proud! But bed time is 7pm so no cabaret yet!!
Jess: When you were pregnant, did you continue performing? How did that time feel for you physically and emotionally?
Marawa: No - oh actually yes! Well - my first pregnancy was during covid so it was kind of amazing - the world shut down around me and all the shows I was thinking I would have to pull out of got cancelled which was so surreal - that time was so crazy but being pregnant as well was bizarre, I remember everyone was doing weird shows online etc, I smashed a pinyata in my driveway for a lucha va voom show on instagram live and was a bit pregnant at the time - but I think that was it for shows! I made a bunch of videos, pregnant stretch videos etc that I released well after I had had the baby. I loved that I was able to have that time to myself without anyone else around - it is so crazy to grow a whole baby and all the things your body goes through - it was nice to be able to do it privately :) the second time was 2024, the world was open and I had only just started really getting into doing lots of shows again, I had actually just signed a big show in vegas and then had to be that person who was like, oh actually I can’t do the show I am going to have a baby instead ha! By then I had a pretty good magic act so anytime I got booked I did that instead - I know some hoopers keep hooping right through their pregnancies but it did not feel right for me, I skated a lot - right through - but both times almost immediately I didnt want to touch a hoop!
Jess: From my own experience, I know that some bookers can be hesitant when a performer is pregnant. Did you ever come across that, or did you feel supported by the industry?
Marawa: I think times have changed a lot - at least I have been lucky in that everyone I have worked with has been supportive - I think this is also because i am older- I think if I had been pregnant 1 or 2 years into starting my career it would have been a different story - but having had 15 years of experience and long standing relationships with shows/bookers, its different, they are friends, they are excited for you, and they want you back after! I worked with Fatima Robinson who choreographs lots of great things in LA and she put me in this great gospel house music video and her team went the extra mile to make sure I was taken care of knowing I had a v small baby at home at the time - having more mothers like her in the industry means that things are much better than they used to be.
Jess: Has motherhood changed the way you approach your work or how you see your body on stage?
Marawa: Yes for sure - I had 2 c sections - I wasn’t sure for a long time how that would affect my work - but thankfully I was really lucky - I had access to great doctors and as I hoped my body listened to me, and I listened to my body and I have been able to rebuild myself in a way that sounds cheesy but does feel stronger than it was before!
Health & Daily Routine
Jess: You have such an energetic presence on stage. What helps you stay healthy and show ready? Do you follow a routine, or do you work around what your body needs at the time? Do you do things like Pilates or yoga, or any core training that you quietly swear by? Go on, share a little secret with us, hehe.
Marawa: ha - jump rope - thats my secret. Do not get between me and a skipping rope. I believe skipping is the key to success.
Jess: Do you follow any nutritional habits or foods that support your training and performing?
Marawa: no - I have become a terrible eater I think.. It’s all time, time management! But I do try to stay hydrated - It’s basic - but I do think it solves a lot of problems.
Jess: With everything you do, how do you make time to rest and recover? Do you have any small rituals that help you reset after busy periods?
Marawa: When I can, I get cupping and gua sha - but then I fall asleep for like 15 hours, so I can’t really do it at the moment ha - but that for sure helps me reset. My fall back option rn is a cheese shop in camberwell that does the craziest cheeses. I make myself a plate of cheese and crackers and watch poirot once I have got everyone to sleep - if I haven’t already fallen asleep. That is my ritual - it’s not yoga - but it feels just as good!
Creative Direction and Artistic Vision
Jess: I remember seeing a video of you years ago where you were suspended in the air smashing a piñata during what looked like a wrestling show. It really stuck in my mind. Where did that idea come from, and how do concepts like that come to life for you? Do you have a creative team helping shape them, or are you usually calling the shots?
Marawa: oh - that was one of my favourite shows - I loved doing that! All the ideas come from different places, sometimes it’s a song, or a piece of art, or a story that leads to an idea for a show.. No journey to an act is the same, but I am grateful that 99% of the time i get to call the shots - the 1% of shows where I don’t are usually well paid but creatively unfulfilling!
Jess: You are known for pushing boundaries and doing things no one had ever seen before, like skating in high heels. How did that idea come about for you? Were you the first to do it, or did you take something that existed and make it your own?
Marawa: I wanted to make a pair of high heeled skates pretty much once I started wearing heels - which was late I would say - probably early 20’s - I had never been interested in heels before then - but once I was I wanted to make them roll. I googled high heeled skates and found a woman who had made an art piece which was a pair of heels on wheels - but they were not functional - years later I discovered pippa garners work and the infamous gold heel with 3 wheels - also an art piece - so cool though - I worked with a prop maker to make the first pair, and then over the years they evolved and I had someone in the US make them - i have about 10 pairs now - even a custom louboutin pair for a show I did for them !
Jess: When you are creating new acts, do you work with a director or choreographer, or do you prefer to create on your own?
Marawa: I prefer to work on my own - but I love a theme - its hard when you can do anything - too many options - its good to have some parameters.
Jess: Your acts always have such a strong visual identity. How much of the costume, colours and styling do you plan yourself?
Marawa: I would say all of it really.. I mainly work with Alice Edgeley - also in melbourne - shes been making costumes for me for years - and she always gets what I am trying to explain in a costume.
Jess: What has been one of your most memorable shows to create or perform?
Marawa: The Louboutin show in Monaco was definitely top 3. It was the most beautiful venue and it was the first time I had been away from my baby for more than 5 min and I left for 2 ½ weeks!!! It was an emotional rollercoaster and a bizarre time and wearing those custom skates and performing on the same stage that Jospehine Baker had performed on when she had her come back in her 70’s all felt WILD.
Television & Talent Shows
Jess: You took part in Britain’s Got Talent and also Arabs Got Talent. How did these opportunities first come about for you? Did you apply, or did the shows reach out to you?
Marawa: I have done 5 of them! Britain, America, Australia, Arab’s and a spanish show that was like got talent but not the brand got talent haha- they all reached out - its a weird world - I have kept a lot of notes, I would like to write a book about it one day.
Jess: Television brings a very different energy compared to regular stage shows. What were those experiences like for you behind the scenes?
Marawa: long days, especially the got talent show - very long days - that’s the hardest part- performing after sitting around all day being told you are on in 5 min.. For 10 hours!
Jess: I remember you shared that your time on Arabs Got Talent came with some scrutiny, especially around showing up as your true self. If you feel comfortable, could you share what that experience was like for you?
Marawa: oof. How long have you got? Ha - no it was amazing - it was the most amazing out of all of them - also I came 3rd in the end which was so suprising for me because by then I was so used to getting to the semi finals and then getting kicked out - but the somali community really got behind me - but yes it was the first time they had had a woman doing something physical onstage - it was a lot for the internet world to process - I felt very lucky that I was old enough and experienced enough to navigate it.
Jess: Did those experiences change anything about how you present your work or how you navigate being a performer in public spaces?
Marawa: Yes It was a moment that came early for me that I think a lot of people have dealt with since - that idea that what you share online can be seen by anyone - sure - but that didn’t really mean anything till suddenly everyone’s parents were on facebook..! I have never really been crazy online, or sharing pics or images that I didn't feel were appropriate for all ages, but after AGT I definitely went for a less posting is more approach -
Jess: A huge part of your visual brand is also your involvement with Guinness World Records. You and your troupe have set so many records over the years. How did that whole idea begin for you? What motivated you to start taking on these challenges, and did you ever imagine it would become such a recognisable part of your work?
Marawa: similar to the high heeled skates - once I knew I wanted to be a full time hula hooper - I wanted to get in the book! I wanted the records! And they didn't come quick - it took years to get the most hoops record - but after that I just wanted to do more and more. I love GWR, truly, I love meeting other record holders and I love the community around it.
Looking Ahead
Jess: Before we wrap up, I would love to know if you are working on anything new at the moment. Are there any projects, ideas or shifts in direction that you are excited about and happy to share with us?
Marawa: The main thing I have been working on is the new red high heeled skate that launched last week! It’s my 4th collab skate with Impala and my favourite one for sure. I have a few other little projects lined up for the year - but really I am just trying to get some structure back in my life! We moved back to Melbourne with an 8 month old and 4 ½ year old last year, and I still have some unpacking to do! It’s been great to be home though and drinking all the delicious tap water and enjoying all the great food! I love Melbourne!
Jess: And a fun one before we finish. If you had to choose only one forever… stripes or velvet?
Marawa: STRIPES. 100%
Last words of wisdom
Jess: To finish, I would love to ask something that might inspire our readers. If you could go back and say anything to your younger self, what would it be? Or if you prefer, is there any advice or little piece of wisdom you would share with someone who is dreaming of building a life in the arts, the way you have?
Marawa: My advice is: Be honest with yourself. I think that's the biggest mistake I see in the creative world - people who are not being honest with themselves about their true goals, their true desires. I think once you dig deep and spend the time to try and figure out what you are searching for, and what you are willing to do or sacrifice to get there- the journey becomes much easier/clearer. But when you are chasing a dream because you think that’s what you should be doing, because the poster said ‘ follow your dreams!” maybe it is just a dream! Maybe it's a nightmare !! haha - maybe its a fantasy - and that’s fine - I dream CONSTANTLY about opening a chocolate shop that has cute little chocolates that get wrapped in beautiful paper and little boxes, and people visit and talk about life and buy lots of chocolate and someone else does all the accounts and etc etc.. but I am not opening a chocolate shop, it's a nice dream. But it's not my reality… for now.. But watch this space… yolo….. Okokok ! I have to go to sleep! And eat cheese and watch poirot !!! Big love! xxxx
Outro
Wow. I am honestly blown away once again by Marawa’s words. I have always been inspired by her, but this time it really hit differently. I just feel so much respect and gratitude for who she is and how she shows up in the world. What an incredible woman to look up to. Just wow.
And to do all of this while being such a present, involved parent. If that doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will.
Even though I’ve never officially worked with Marawa as a mentor, I truly see her as one. I look up to her, learn from her, and feel deeply influenced by her work and her way of living.
I love how open she is about sharing her resources and the people who influenced her along the way. It is so special when you deeply admire an artist and then get to see who inspired them, who mentored them, and who helped shape their path. It really is just people a few steps ahead reaching back and helping the next in line. I love that.
We all get inspired somewhere. From a piece of art. From a random Google search. From something we stumble across at just the right time. And then we evolve it, twist it, reshape it, and make it our own, while still honouring and crediting the people who walked before us.
I had never heard of Josephine Baker before this, so of course I looked her up. And oh my goodness. The facial expressions. The funny little dance moves. It is so Marawa. And the wild thing is, she didn’t even know who Josephine was at first. Someone just told her she reminded them of her. Then she later got cast to play her in a show in NYC, and that is when she really started researching her, studying her movement, and diving into her world. Through all of that, she ended up connecting so deeply with her work. That is just epic. Synchronicity. Fate. Who knows. But I truly believe we all have a path if we learn to tune in and listen to our instincts.
I also really appreciated hearing Marawa talk about her experience on Arabs Got Talent and the online scrutiny that came with it. She handled it with so much maturity, confidence, and perspective, and you can really see how her experience and self belief helped her navigate that space in a healthy way.
It is such an important reminder that when you put yourself out there creatively, especially online, you are opening yourself up to opinions, criticism, and sometimes hostility. Cancel culture, hate comments, cyberbullying, it is all very real. Being brave enough to show up as yourself is often the most daring thing you can do, and not everyone is going to like it.
That is why what Marawa said about having support really stuck with me. Whether it is a good friend, a great therapist, a mentor, or someone you trust, having people around you who can help you process and navigate those moments is so important, especially if you have an online presence.
One thing that really resonated with me was Marawa talking about feeling like she had 15 different careers at once, because honestly, same. Over the last while, I’ve really tried to tie everything I do together under the My Bubble Bum umbrella. You can now book hula hoop classes through the Hula Hoop Academy in the shop section, enquire about and book The Bubblettes through My Bubble Bum, and read the full Bubble Bum Banter series on the website too.
This is also where I would love to eventually turn this series into a coffee table book, featuring these amazing artists and their stories, something you will be able to purchase through the site. There are lots of exciting things ahead, and I am so grateful to have these incredible women to look up to along the way.
I also loved what Marawa said about dreams not always being what we actually want. Like her chocolate shop dream. We could probably make most things happen if we really prioritised them, but do we actually want to do the work. The accounting. The admin. The boring bits. Haha.
I mean, I have a dream of opening an aerial studio on a beautiful, secluded island in the Maldives, but I do not want to run it by myself. I want someone else to handle health and safety, teaching, scheduling, and accounting. I will just do the marketing, the business side, and take the classes as a student. So the chances of that happening are probably very slim.
And finally, I absolutely need to buy those Impala high heel skates and make a show one day. Maybe when my babies are a bit more grown up and I have a little more time. Watch this space.
So, the takeaway.
Eat lots of cheese.
Watch Poirot.
Work with a business coach.
Get organised.
Stay hydrated.
Sleep when you can.
Do your cupping.
And keep showing up.
Let’s leave it there for now 💫
Resources & Mentions
Pippa Garner – Conceptual artist whose high-heel skate sculpture inspired Marawa’s early ideas
Impala Rollerskates – Brand behind Marawa’s signature skate collaborations
Poirot – Her go-to comfort TV for winding down
Gua Sha & Cupping – Part of her recovery and self-care routine
The Hooper Market – Community shop and creative hub in London
Paradise – Marawa’s online shop and evolving creative brand
NICA (National Institute of Circus Arts) – Where she trained in Melbourne
Shoreditch Town Hall – Long-time home of The Majorettes’ training sessions
Guinness World Records – Home of her multiple hooping records
Maureen Pound – Business coach who helped bring clarity and structure
Fatima Robinson – Choreographer who supported her during motherhood
Josephine Baker – Major influence on her expressive performance style
