Meet Our Performers
Our Story
Julie's Princess Empowerment began with a dream to foster representation and positive role models for all. We inspire confidence, unity and courage through song, dance, and storytelling.
We believe in fostering a world where every child feels empowered to shine brightly, embrace their uniqueness, and celebrate the magic within themselves and others.
Julie Bwanka
Founder & Performer
Meet Julie
Princess Julie was born and raised in London ON, Julie began to positively impact her community by investing her time in mentoring kids & youth. For 17 years Julie has been working/volunteering with children & youth in London in various settings such as camps, church, youth programs and more. Over the years she has gained insight into leading groups through fun activities, storytelling and imagination.
Growing up Julie sang in multiple choirs and performed solos in various styles. Her passion for singing was accompanied by her technical dance training at studios and she later received the dance choreography award and business award at Beal SS. Julie continued to excel in dance and business at the university level. She was a part of multiple dance teams and excelled in the dance courses at Western University.
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In 2014 she graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree specializing in Kinesiology. Julie started her own virtual personal training business to help individuals create and sustain healthy habits at home. As an outlet for her creative side, Julie continued to explore her passion for the arts/entertainment industry. She got signed by a talent agency and began her professional modeling/acting career in 2021. She has appeared in magazines, commercials, music videos and model competitions. Julie is a role model on and off screen to girls at her church, her dance studio and in her community.
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In 2023 Julie's Princess Empowerment was created to fill a need for equal representation in the princess party entertainment industry. She wanted to give children of all colours the ability to see themselves as a princess or prince through positive role models. She combined her passion for arts/entertainment with her years of mentoring children in hopes of inspiring children to see how valuable they truly are. Julie believes every individual is royalty.
Shannon Nell
Performer
Meet Shannon
Princess Shannon was born in South Africa and, at a young age, embarked on a new adventure to London, ON. From before she can remember, she loved to pretend, whether it be the Spice Girls, princesses, or superheroes. Her passion for performance grew through school plays and church musicals, even if her role was as the 'Yellow Brick Road' (yes, she was the physical road—a vital role, without which Dorothy would never have made it to Oz)!
Alongside this love for make-believe, she balanced a competitive swimming career, eventually competing at the international level for Team Canada.
While Shannon never had formal singing or dance training, her heart was always in music and performance. She learned guitar in high school and sang along to her favourite songs daily.
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Shannon's professional journey has been diverse and enriching. She worked at the most magical (retail) place on earth, a dream come true where she fully embraced her passion for beloved stories and characters and putting on shows and mini-productions for kids. Throughout it all, her love for photography has been a constant, capturing the magic of the world for over a decade.
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Shannon's favourite princess is Rapunzel, and she admires her spirit, excitement, and wonder at the world. Like Rapunzel, Shannon is courageous and always sees the good in everyone. She values creativity, intelligence, and fearlessness. Additionally, she relates to the Ice Queen's protective nature, strong will, and independence. The Ice Queen's strength, intelligence, and compassion are qualities Shannon strives to emulate. The Little Mermaid's curiosity and determination also inspire Shannon; she admires her willingness to take risks to pursue her dreams and her love for exploring the unknown.
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In her spare time, Shannon loves to read epic fantasy books, crochet, play guitar, piano, and ukulele, take photos to capture the magic of the world, travel to see amazing places, go to the beach, and, of course, watch her favourite movies and dance along to the songs.
Through Julie’s Princess Empowerment, Shannon strives to bring a magical sparkle to kids' eyes and inspire them with a little bit of faith, trust, and pixie dust. She aims to show that, just like the princesses we adore, you, too, can live your dreams.
Monica Urrea
Performer
Meet Monica
Princess Monica was born in the enchanting kingdom of London ontario. As she grew this princess spent most of her time entranced in her imagination whether that be through make believe, story telling or the arts. Monica is very involved in her church community and made it a priority from the age of 14. You could find her helping out with sunday programs for kids or volunteering at a church event. At one of these events she found a love for face painting , planning parties and designing outfits for dress up.
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Currently, Monica brings the royal treatment to an engineering manufacturing company that she joined shortly after graduating from architecture. In addition she started a face painting business in 2024 and a customized/personalized item business in 2023. Her hopes are to start a party/wedding planning company with some decorating in the future. You could say she likes to dip her glass slippers into everything.
Monica's favorite pastimes include baking, designing, drawing, painting, crafting and pretty much any creative outlet. She is currently learning how to sew in hopes of giving her mice and bird friends a break from making fun outfits. You'll also find her involved in her church community by being the inhouse decorator, event coordinator, children performance director, community outreach director and the all year round christmas princess.
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When princess Monica was approached by princess Julie to join her team at Julie’s Princess Empowerment she couldn't hold herself back from saying yes. The values Julie has stated and built around her company resonated with Monica completely. Her hope is to help bring out magic and joy in every interaction and to make sure everyone knows they are brave, kind and true.