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.<\/p>\n
Rex\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Fireknife Competition in 2009 and 2010, as well as the Fireknife of Samoa International Fireknife Competition in 2012 and 2016.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Rex\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.[\/team_member][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” enable_animation=”true” animation=”fade-in-from-bottom” animation_easing=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][team_member image_url=”828″ bio_alt_image_url=”838″ team_memeber_style=”bio_fullscreen_alt” image_loading=”lazy-load” team_member_bio_full_html=”html” name=”Joseph Cadousteau” team_member_mini_bio=”Joseph Cadousteau, an emblematic figure of fire knife dancing, embodies perseverance and excellence in this spectacular discipline.”]Joseph Cadousteau<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/strong> in Hawaii. Alongside his teammates Heiva and Dana, the Tahitian “Dream Team” shone by winning second place in the world.<\/p>\n Between 2007 and 2017, Joseph alternated between prestigious competitions and shows. Hired as a fire knife dancer at Hong Kong Disneyland<\/strong> for the Festival of the Lion King show, he impressed with his charisma and technical mastery. After three years, he joined Cirque du Soleil<\/strong> in the show Alegria, an opportunity that enriched his stage experience.<\/p>\n On the competitive level, he had his greatest triumph by winning three World Fire Knife Champion<\/strong> titles (2012, 2013 and 2015). These victories crowned an already brilliant career and placed him among the best in his discipline.<\/p>\n 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<\/strong> in 2021 and 2022.<\/p>\n 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<\/em>“, reflects a philosophy that inspires many dancers.<\/p>\n Joseph Cadousteau has an impressive track record at the World Fire Knife Competition<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Joseph Cadousteau, with his career rich in emotions and exploits, remains a role model for young talents. His participation in the 2024 Legacy Competition<\/strong> is highly anticipated, but his legacy is already etched in the history of fire knife dancing.[\/team_member][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” bg_image=”237″ bg_position=”center center” background_image_loading=”default” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”10%” constrain_group_1=”yes” bottom_padding=”10%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” color_overlay=”#000000″ overlay_strength=”0.5″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit”…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-821","page","type-page","status-publish"],"yoast_head":"\nThe beginnings: from failure to first victory<\/h4>\n
The rise: from local competitions to the world stage<\/h4>\n
The peak: world champion and international artist<\/h4>\n
Transmission and new beginnings<\/h4>\n
A career marked by tenacity<\/h4>\n
Achievements<\/h3>\n
\n
A legacy on fire<\/h4>\n