MOVES THAT MATTER

FOR JUSTIN DE NOBREGA, MASCULINITY ISN'T ABOUT LIMITS – IT'S ABOUT EXPRESSION

- WORDS BY CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE PHOTOGRAPHED BY ZHANN SOLOMONS STYLED BY MIA-TESS SMITH

Scrolling through TikTok, it's hard not to feel compelled to stop, mid-swipe, when Justin De Nobrega's videos pop up on your feed.

It's a whole vibe! Whether he's hitting trending dance challenges with effortless precision, showing off his street-style 'fits or giving followers a glimpse into his daily life, Justin has built a digital presence that feels both magnetic and refreshingly authentic. But behind the perfectly timed moves and millions of views is a bigger story: a young entrepreneurial creator redefining what it means to be successful in today's fast-paced world.

BEHIND THE MAN

He's moved around quite a bit (excuse the pun!), eventually settling down in Cape Town with his fiancée, Maxine Marescia. But Justin never forgets his journey to where he finds himself now - with more than a million TikTok followers.

As the youngest of three siblings (and the only boy) growing up in an "amazingly supportive" family, Justin was given the space and acceptance to pursue his interest in dance and to hone his craft. Though his father was often out of the country for work, he taught Justin how to do a breakdancing-style backspin for the first time, and also showed him how to do the moonwalk.

"If you're wondering, he was somewhat of a 'just for fun' dancer in his school days in the 80s," Justin chuckles. "After watching all the dance movies that you can possibly think of, back in 2010, I took it upon myself to learn some of the moves."

Justin says he became the person he is today because he was blessed with a nurturing environment. As a boy, he was into skateboarding and BMXing. He also lived close to the beach and enjoyed exploring the rocks and bodyboarding.