
Inspired by Strictly: 10-year-old joins Royal Ballet
After falling in love with dancing from a young age, Jessica was just four-years-old when she asked her mum if she could join a dance class. Speaking to the BBC Norfolk, she said: "My legs just wanted to move. "I did watch Strictly Come Dancing when I was younger, I was just wow. I want to do that."Since then Jessica has been training hard. When asked about how she feels dancing she said: "I just feel special. I just feel in my comfort zone and I just feel relaxed."
The Royal Ballet School's Junior Associate Programme only has 10 places available to young dancers every year.This means that competition is very high.At Jessica's audition there were more than 2,000 people.So, when she found out she had got a spot Jessica was "blown away" and "jumped up and down and cried".A spokesperson for the Royal Ballet School said they were excited to welcome Jess into the programme, which was created in 1948.Jessica's dance instructor said her "technique is beautiful" and that she has the ability to go "as far as she likes" with dancing.Well done Jessica... keeeeep dancing!
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Why England and Spain's unique rivalry goes beyond the Euro 2025 final
At kick-off in the Euro 2025 final, England and Spain will be rivals. But before and after, many will be friends and allies, united by a common cause. Keira Walsh is determined to win on Sunday, to become a two-time European champion as part of the first-ever England team to defend a title at a major international tournament. But Walsh also wants Spain to enjoy their moment, to make up for what was lost. Spain will undoubtedly enjoy the occasion more if they beat England to add to their World Cup triumph, but Walsh was aware of the wider meaning. England's players were hurt after their World Cup final defeat to Spain in 2023; though what followed in Sydney was the greater injustice. Spain's victory was overshadowed by Luis Rubiales kissing Jenni Hermoso without her consent during their trophy celebrations. 'I don't think, for them, there was enough spotlight on how incredible they played and how incredible some of their players were,' Walsh said. 'It was all about the other stuff that had gone on.' Spain's stars lamented that there was not enough change in the country after winning the World Cup, now the focus is solely on them and the unique control they can bring to the pitch. 'They play incredible football and they deserve to be there,' said Walsh. 'As a human being I just want them to go out and just enjoy the game.' Walsh's two and a half years with Barcelona mean she has a deeper connection with several members of the Spain squad. When she felt homesick, the Spain captain Irene Parades would invite the midfielder to her family home for dinner. She grew close with many of their stars, such as Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey. But England stood as a collective with Spain after the World Cup final, even if they had not shared a dressing room or spent time as teammates. The Lionesses felt Spain were robbed of the boost they received by winning the Euros in 2022. There is respect and admiration on both sides, in understanding that their role as players is not just what happens on the pitch but in leaving the game in a better place from where they found it. England used their platform to call for social change after winning the Euros, while Spain have made sacrifices to fight for what they deserve. Patri Guijarro sat out of the last World Cup in protest of unequal treatment. Now Spain's players have seen improvements off the pitch, Guijarro is back and has been the best holding midfielder at the Euros. Sarina Wiegman has previously spoken of the relationship between England and Spain as an example of the 'special community' in the women's game, where both sides are aware of their higher purpose. After the Rubiales scandal, Spain took a stand with Se acabo, a #MeToo movement in Spanish football and beyond. Wiegman has similarly empowered England to use their voices, as seen during the Euros by the defiant response of the team following the racist abuse suffered by Jess Carter. England have supported Spain even as they have emerged as the dominant force and their battles on the pitch have grown. After the World Cup, Spain learnt their talent was not enough to stop what happened to them with Rubiales, but the changes within the Spanish Football Federation mean there is now nothing to hold them back from expressing their joyful, flowing passing. It is on the pitch and in their respective playing styles where there is the clearest contrast between Spain and England, who embraced 'proper England' for the first time in a rugged, disciplined 1-0 win at Wembley in February – the last time the world champions lost a match. The blueprint Arsenal used to dethrone Barcelona in May's Champions League final in Lisbon is one that England may need to replicate. Arsenal were organised off the ball and committed to frustrating the world's best players, while they took their chance when it came. There was also a bit of needle in the heat of the moment, with Chloe Kelly involved as she pushed Alexia Putellas off the ball. Barcelona's stars will also remember that pain, with Bonmati particularly devastated after the defeat. There will be many of the same players involved in Basel, with the links between England and Spain also illustrated by the success of Arsenal and Barcelona in growing the game domestically and across Europe. Arsenal and Barcelona have become the two best-supported women's teams in the world, and in Switzerland during Euro 2025 there have been as many 'Williamson' and 'Russo' or 'Aitana' and 'Alexia' club shirts as some national sides. There may as well be two other teams in the Euro 2025 final, to go along with England and Spain. Within that, there is also the connecting influence of Caldentey, who swapped Barcelona for Arsenal last summer and ended up taking the Champions League with her from Catalonia to north London. Caldentey's winning mentality, forged at Barcelona, influenced an Arsenal team who had consistently failed to win the biggest prizes. It was said Caldentey brought a 'contagious' mindset that 'moved the culture forward' - that feeling is still fresh in the England squad, through its sizable Arsenal contingent. Walsh and Lucy Bronze, meanwhile, can bring insight into the opposition after their time at Barcelona. When playing in midfield with Bonmati and Putellas, Walsh was expected to play short passes all the time, to the extent that she experienced something of a reverse culture shock when she returned to England and signed for Chelsea in January. She admitted she had 'lost' her ability to play long but it has returned at the Euros, where most of England's success has come when they have mixed it up and gone direct. The Lionesses are technical and can play too - but not like Spain, no one can. Instead, England have taken pride in their resilience throughout the Euros, in knowing they are never beaten. 'They can do the same,' Walsh said, after Spain also came through extra time in their semi-final to beat Germany. It is another reason for England to admire Spain, as well as another hurdle to overcome when they meet as rivals on Sunday.


The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Australian actor Rebel Wilson sued by production company behind her own film
The legal drama surrounding The Deb, Rebel Wilson's directorial debut, has made landfall in Australia, with one of the production companies behind the venture filing a lawsuit against Wilson in the New South Wales supreme court this week. UK-based AI Film, represented by Australian legal firm Giles George and high-profile barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC, accused the Pitch Perfect Australian actor of deliberately sabotaging the film's release, alleging threats and defamatory claims had caused the production company financial and reputational damage. The suit also claims the motive behind Wilson's actions was to devalue the production's worth and pressure AI Film and Australian company Dunburn Debutantes Commissioning Company (DDCC – the entity managing the film's rights and named as the second plaintiff in the lawsuit) into selling their stake to Wilson's company Camp Sugar. Originally conceived as a quirky musical comedy celebrating Australian culture, The Deb was co-produced by AI Film and Camp Sugar, with Wilson directing and starring. But the partnership fractured in mid-2024 when Wilson took to Instagram to accuse fellow producers Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden of alleged embezzlement, sexual misconduct and obstructing the film's release. The allegations, broadcast to Wilson's 11 million followers, were swiftly denied by the producers who began defamation proceedings against Wilson in the Los Angeles superior court last July. In November, the film's lead actor, Charlotte MacInnes, who Wilson claimed was the victim of the alleged sexual misconduct, filed a declaration in the US court stating that Wilson fabricated the claims, describing them as 'completely false and absurd'. The court subsequently threw out Wilson's bid to strike out the defamation suit, not accepting her lawyer's argument that under California's anti-Slapp laws, the accusations she had made against the producers of her The Deb constituted 'protected activity' and were a matter of public interest. That defamation case remains ongoing. After filing its lawsuit in the supreme court's equities division on Thursday, AI Film issued the following statement: 'These proceedings are regrettable but essential to ensure The Deb's timely release. It's a joyous, fun film, and we are sure that audiences are going to love it.' And MacInnes issued a second statement, saying: 'I love this film and I can't wait for it to be released … it would be wonderful if these proceedings can help make that happen.' Wilson's Californian legal team, Freedman Taitelman + Cooley, which is handling the defamation case, did not respond to the Guardian's request for comment. In its lawsuit filed this week, Giles George claims that on 5 January, Wilson's lawyer Bryan Freedman responded to correspondence by AI Film's legal team, saying that 'Wilson is currently in active discussions to outright purchase The Deb (the 'Film') and all associated rights and title'. The Freedman letter also threatened to 'pursue all claims and damages should Al Film or any agents acting on its behalf interfere with that business opportunity'. AI Film is alleging that Wilson's motivation behind her alleged undermining of distribution efforts, including making threats to seek an injunction against the film's release, was personal financial gain. AI Film's lawyers claim that on 6 June 2025, Wilson had a discussion with film distributor Kismet, who was bidding to secure the rights for the theatrical release of The Deb in Australia, during which she said words to the effect that she was supportive of Kismet as the Australian distributor of the film but while there was a legal case involving the film in the US she could not support the film's distribution and would seek an injunction if any attempts to distribute the film were made. Giles George alleges Wilson knew the legal proceedings in the US were not impeding the film's release, and knew the threat of injunction was against her and her company, Camp Sugar's, contractual obligations. But as evidence in Byran Freedman's correspondent to them in January, Wilson was delaying the film's release so that she could pursue the 'business opportunity' of buying all rights to the film outright. AI Film is seeking damages, a formal apology, corrective advertising and a permanent restraint on Wilson and her company making any further disparaging and incorrect claims relating to other companies and individuals involved in the making of The Deb, which have come to been know in legal circles as 'The Wilson Statements'.


Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Emily Ratajkowsi strips naked to soak up the sun – and wears very cheeky hat
Her baseball cap said 'take off your clothes' - and Emily did as she was told BARE BEAUTY Emily Ratajkowsi strips naked to soak up the sun – and wears very cheeky hat Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMILY Ratajkowski has stunned fans after stripping fully naked for a sizzling nude sunbathing session. The model and actress, 34, took to Instagram to share a photo dump from moments she enjoyed in July, with the racy nude snapshot nestled among the more PG photos. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Emily Ratajkowski shared a nude photo on Instagram last night Credit: Instagram 4 She also showed off her figure in a green bikini Credit: Instagram 4 The photos were part of her July photo dump Credit: Instagram In the racy nude photo, Emily could be seen sunning herself on a sun lounger while donning only a red baseball cap which had a quote that read, "take off your clothes". Ditching clothing entirely for the photo, as per the request of her cap, Emily did not don a bra, nor did she wear panties. Covering her breasts with her arms and raising her legs so her private region was covered, Emily was seemingly mindful about what she was showing her fans. With her brunette locks down and tousled, the stunning model looked sleepy as she looked at the camera while someone took the snap. Read More about Emily BODY HEAT Emily Ratajkowski stuns as she strips down to tiny swimsuit as fans go wild Emily was holding her phone, which had a yellow phone case, and she had a pink child's handbag sitting next to her. Also among the shocking naked photo were several other stunning snapshots of the starlet. One other snap saw Emily pouting for the camera while donning a seriously tiny green bikini. Another then saw her showing off her slender figure in a smart black suit comprised of some pedal pusher trousers and a blazer-style top. TRIP TO THE BIG APPLE Last week, the starlet was out and about in New York to promote her new Netflix show. For the occasion, she wore a stunning blue frock covered in a snakeskin pattern, complete with a plunging neckline cut-out at the front. Emily Ratajkowski rocks the tiniest thong bikini ever on beach in Brazil as model friend applies her sunscreen She also appeared on TODAY and chatted to Jenna Bush Hager about her new Netflix role while in the Big Apple. While on the show, Emily chatted about her role in the new Netflix series Too Much where she plays an influencer named Wendy Jones. Emily does not have the main role in the series, with the leading role of Jessica, played by Megan Stalter. Megan's role of Jessica is a New York workaholic is reeling from a broken relationship. In the series, she takes a job in London and meets Felix, a walking of red flag, but their connection is seemingly undeniable. Emily's character, who is influencer Wendy, then begins dating Jessica's ex-boyfriend. Wendy gets Instagram-stalked by Jessica, who drunkenly breaks into their New York apartment to confront them one night. Emily, who was born in London to American parents and raised in California, has had dated several famous faces. She had a brief romance with Pete Davidson, a potential connection with Brad Pitt, and a reported fling with Eric André. She also had a public kiss with Harry Styles in Tokyo. Emily split from her husband Sebastian Bear-McClard in 2022. They married in February 2018 and welcomed a son, Sylvester Apollo Bear (nicknamed Sly), in March 2021.