- Jhailyn Paige Farcon is a Fordham sophomore who balances her studies while starring in & Juliet alongside stars like Charli D’Amelio.
- Farcon’s & Juliet debut was an emotional milestone, made even more special by a surprise visit from friends and family.
- The professional dancer’s journey has been filled with unforgettable moments that prepared her for Broadway success.
Juggling a glitzy life in the spotlight at night and a studious academic career by day, Jhailyn Paige Farcon has been dubbed a real-life Hannah Montana.
The Fordham University at Lincoln Center student currently plays Imogen in the Broadway production of & Juliet, all while juggling the rigorous demands of being a college sophomore and a professional dancer. Boasting over 10K followers between Instagram and TikTok, Farcon has given a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her exciting double life, from day in the life vlogs with her costar Charli D’Amelio to dance videos at her prestigious school.
“It’s such a huge opportunity that I didn’t think would come so soon in my career, especially being in school. I didn’t think it was possible,” Farcon tells PEOPLE exclusively about being a Broadway performer. “I knew I wanted to do both and stay in school because it is so convenient and so close to the theater.”
Farcon, however, is no stranger to the stage and has been working since as early as six years old. Among her many impressive accomplishments, she has performed with Mariah Carey at Rockefeller Center and danced with T-Pain during his performance at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Her decision to attend the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program was a natural one, inspired by her hunger for more opportunities.
“I’m so fortunate that it is legit in the heart of the city, and it’s so accessible to like different areas…and seeing how many artists, successful artists made it out of the program and worked on Broadway or concerts or commercials – the program’s just so great,” Farcon explains.
Her days usually start off with ballet and technique classes from 8:30 to 10 a.m. She then rushes over to Fordham for her mid-day academic classes and back to Ailey for additional training. After a quick recharge, she transitions into Broadway mode, preparing for the night’s performance.
Given her unique circumstances, Farcon has informed her professors about her Broadway career and fortunately, they have been understanding, accommodating her schedule while still holding her accountable for coursework.
While she doesn’t go out of her way to advertise her Broadway role, word spread quickly once she announced her casting in & Juliet. Messages of support poured in from classmates, friends and even people she hadn’t spoken to in a while.
“I was so overwhelmed with so much love and support,” she recalls.
Balancing a Broadway career with a college workload has taught her valuable lessons in time management and energy conservation.
“One thing I’ve learned from my castmates is that it’s a marathon and not a sprint – which I keep with me every day,” Farcon tells PEOPLE. “And I have to remember, you know, listen to my body too, and to not over-exert myself, not to burn myself out.”
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The night of her Broadway debut was nothing short of magical. Farcon wasn’t alone in making her first appearance on Oct. 29, 2024, which helped ease her nerves and made the transition feel like a shared experience.
With a month of rehearsals under her belt, the big night finally arrived. The experience was so overwhelming that it felt almost dreamlike.
“It was not that I blacked out during the performance, but it was so surreal, having so many people in the audience,” she says. Adding to the emotional impact, her mother surprised her by bringing eight of her closest friends and family to the show.
One of the most memorable moments of the night came during curtain call.
“My friends have told me that if you don’t remember anything from your debut, remember the bows,” she explains. “So at & Juliet, what I think is so special is whenever someone makes their debut, or it’s their first show, they always make it a point to announce it.”
Joining the cast also meant working alongside well-known performers like Charli D’Amelio. Fortunately, the two already had mutual connections in the dance community, which made their first meeting feel natural.
“We were just talking about our experience auditioning for the show, and we had very similar training upbringings,” Farcon says.
Having another young performer in the cast with a dance-heavy background was reassuring. “She’s so nice and lovely to work with, such a hard worker,” she adds.
The cast was also in for a surprise when NYSYNC’s Joey Fatone joined the show this January. “We all were like, ‘Oh my god,’ like freaking out,” Farcon laughs. “He’s such a cool co-worker… he’s so funny.”
Fatone has quickly become a favorite among the cast, setting up LED lights and a fog machine in his dressing room and hosting mini dance parties during intermission.
Performing eight shows a week requires more than just talent – it demands stamina and determination. For Farcon, staying physically active and prepared starts well before the show begins.
“I actually like going to class before a show, because it feels like a warm-up for me instead of, you know, just rolling out of bed and then doing the show,” she says. “It’s kind of like a warm-up in the sense that my body’s already awake and moving.”
For aspiring performers, her biggest advice is to stay grounded and focused. Farcon also believes in trusting the process. “Everything happens for a reason, and whatever is meant for you will find you and will not pass you.”
Her strong work ethic has been ingrained in her since childhood – having gone on tour for the first time at just eight years old.
Farcon’s long-term aspirations include one day transitioning into TV and film, given that she is minoring in film at Fordham. For now, though, she remains focused on her sophomore year at Fordham and her exciting run in & Juliet.
Grateful for the unique opportunity to balance her education and dream career, she admits: “I’m staying present in the moment and cherishing every show that I get to do with my cast while staying in school.”
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