Lifestyle

A Rising Social Media Star, Gianni Mendes, is a Man Who Can Do It All!

Published

5 years ago

July 11, 2020

It is easy to add #YOLO under a picture on social media. It does not come as a surprise that this hashtag is one of the most commonly used captions among social media influencers and users. Used by millions of people, including adolescents, youngsters, and adults, the term ‘YOLO,’ holds a much deeper meaning than people have anticipated, and is much more than just a trending hashtag.

The phrase, ‘You Only Live Once,’ holds a deep message, especially for people who spend their entire lives building a stable career. YOLO is a form of motivation to push people into pursuing their passion, live their dreams, do everything on their wish list, and LIVE, because this life is the only chance they have.

Indeed, building a stable career to ensure financial stability is imperative for living a carefree life, but what is the point of earning big when one does not have the time to spend it? YOLO is a movement to help people understand that besides working on their careers, they need to make time for things that they admire and love.

Living life, the right way, and doing justice to the movement is Gianni Mendes Toniutti, better known as Gianni Mendes, an immigration lawyer, entertainer, singer, guitar virtuoso, and a rising social media star. Watching this man do everything in life has caused many people to think that he is not good at any of these fields, thanks to one of the most popularly used figures of speech, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” Gianni, who is referred to as the ‘immigration guru’ in the United States, is changing perspectives with the kind of lifestyle he spends. He not only is a highly-esteemed Italian-American immigration lawyer, but is also a singer, an accomplished guitar player, a successful entertainer, and a social media influencer.

Gianni Mendes is the jack of all trades and master of everything that he does. He is an inspiration for the people living in a world where dreams and passions are crushed in the name of professional stability. As a young boy, Gianni had multiple passions, but did he let ‘professional stability,’ get in his way towards success? No. He gave all his passions equal attention and time. In 2002, when he completed his Juris Doctor degree, he also released his first album, “Colores.” He took both his passions together, following the true meaning of the phrase, ‘You Only Live Once.’

Becoming a social media phenomenon

Gianni is the co-founder of TLRT, an Italian-American law firm, and currently heads the immigration department. Being a lawyer was always his passion, but the entertainment sector was also where his interest lay. After thinking of ways he could stay connected to both these industries, he decided to become an immigration lawyer.

Referred to as the ‘Immigration Lawyer of the VIPs’ by several notable media platforms, Gianni has worked with innumerable celebrities from the entertainment industry. As an immigration lawyer, he has worked with notable Brazilian and Russian models, national and international modeling agencies, top 500 Fortune companies, entrepreneurs investing in multi-million-dollar deals, and several others.

After finding success in the world of law, he decided it was time to make a name in the social media sector. Owner of a vibrant personality, Gianni came up with an out-of-this-world idea, something that never crossed anyone’s mind.

One day, he entered the Zara Store, not with an intention to shop but to do something hilarious. He went in front of the escalator, right where shoppers could see him easily, and pretended to be a human mannequin, the first-ever human mannequin. The two-minute video was uploaded on Instagram and YouTube, becoming viral in just a few hours. It spread a lot of smiles and laughter and acquired more than 260,000 views on Instagram and over 30,000 views on YouTube. The video helped him become a huge Instagram sensation. Due to his rapid fame through this and many other viral videos, many media platforms have started referring to him as the next Gianluca Vacchi, a business tycoon who became a social media sensation after his dancing video went viral.

Gianni’s love for the world of law and entertainment helped him stay determined throughout. He is a well-known immigration lawyer, with his law firm operating in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Rome, and Milan. Moreover, the passionate individual born in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and raised in Bologna, Italy, is working on his first Latin-Pop single, “Te Amaré,” which is inspired by Latin and Brazilian rhythms. With all his successes in life, he proves to the world that Gianni Mendes, indeed, is a man who can do it all!

Lifestyle

The Future of Social Dancing: How Latin Dance is Adapting to a New Generation

Published

6 days ago

August 21, 2025

Michelle Langton

Latin dance thrives on connection. The music, the partner, and the crowd all feed one another.

Today, that connection is shaped by a younger, digitally fluent generation, and few understand the shift better than Damian Guzman, founder of Bachata Sensual America (BSA). From prize-winning festivals to late-night socials, Guzman and BSA show how the scene is evolving without losing its roots.

Streaming steps, viral beats

A decade ago, beginners to Latin dance hunted for grainy DVD tutorials; now they unlock entire combinations on their phones. TikTok loops, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels have compressed learning into snack-sized bursts.

Many of the artists signed on with Bachata Sensual America meet dancers where they scroll, posting slow-motion breakdowns and “follow-along” drills that rack up thousands of views. This approach addresses two key Gen Z demands: instant access and a clear path from screen to floor.

By allowing newcomers to practice at home before facing a packed room, the online channel lowers the fear barrier while seeding a desire for in-person connection.

Festivals as entry points, not finish lines

Digital discovery is only the first act. For many people, their real baptism happens at multi-day events where practice hours blur into sunrise socials.

BSA’s flagship Houston Bachata Sensual Festival returned on May 2^nd, 2025, with a follow-up week slated for Bachata Sensual Festival Chicago, September 4^th-9^th, 2025. Both weekends pair technique labs with mental-wellness talks and DJs specializing in bachata, mirroring the playlists in dancers’ earbuds.

That balance of skills and community is why independent reviewers named BSA one of the “Top Latin Dance Festivals in the United States” for 2025. Yet, for Damian, awards matter less than the message: a festival can feel world-class without pricing out college students. He keeps passes tiered, encourages volunteer shifts that offset costs, and prepares bootcamps for absolute beginners, ensuring the dance floor reflects the same diversity he sees online.

Teaching culture, not just choreography

Bachata’s recent boom owes much to its European reinvention. Damian experienced that surge firsthand while earning one of the first U.S. instructor certifications in the Bachata Sensual style. He returned determined to give American dancers the same blend of precision and musicality he had experienced abroad.

BSA classes devote equal time to connection cues, body mechanics, and the genre’s Dominican roots. That trifecta resonates with younger students who want authenticity, not just a viral dip.

“In class I tell people, ‘Technique is how you respect your partner; musicality is how you respect the song,’” Guzman said during a recent podcast. The line distills his mission: elevate standards while keeping the dance welcoming.

Building inclusive, mindful spaces

Generation Z brings new expectations around consent, identity, and mental health. BSA’s code of conduct spells out everything from appropriate touch to gender-neutral role selection. Security staff mediate conflicts quickly, and workshop leaders open sessions with grounding exercises to calm nerves. These actions might sound small, yet they remove friction that once pushed many newcomers away.

Damian argues that such policies go beyond ethics; they future-proof the scene. Normalizing role fluidity in Latin dance widens its talent pool and invites richer musical interpretations. By acknowledging anxiety and overstimulation — common concerns for digital natives — events can retain dancers who might otherwise retreat after their first crowded social.

Latin dance has never stood still, and its next evolution is already spinning under disco lights from Houston to Helsinki. With a phone in every pocket and a festival on every calendar, the gap between discovery and mastery keeps shrinking.

Damian Guzman and Bachata Sensual America illustrate what happens when tradition listens, adapts, and leads with purpose. The result is a scene ready for whatever beat the next generation drops — and a future where social dancing feels more connected, inclusive, and alive than ever.