Latest news with #dancer
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wheelchair Dance Team Inspires Girls Nationwide
Every July, Disability Pride Month honors the strength, resilience, and achievements of people living with disabilities — and among those who inspire thousands is Chelsie Hill. After a spinal cord injury left her paralyzed, the lifelong dancer refused to give up on her dream. Instead, she founded The Rollettes, an empowering all-women wheelchair dance team that's inspiring girls across the world to embrace who they are, move with confidence, and chase their dreams — no matter what challenges life brings. Her journey from heartbreak to hope began in a hospital in Monterey, California. Here, Woman's World tells Chelsie's inspiring story. Chelsie Hill lay in her hospital bed, tears of despair stinging her eyes. A car accident had just left the Monterey, California, 17-year-old paralyzed from the waist down. 'You'll never walk again,' doctors told her…and Chelsie's whole world shattered. She'd been a dancer since she was just a little girl, had won many competitions and had even dreamed of dancing professionally one day. Turning to her dad, she choked, 'Why did this happen? I had something I wanted to do with my life!' Her father took her hand. 'Maybe this happened to you because you're supposed to do something even greater with your life,' he said, wiping away her tears. All through her recovery, those words echoed in Chelsie's mind. And as she learned to dress herself, get in and out of bed…do everything she'd done before, but in a wheelchair, it suddenly hit her: Why can't I dance in my wheelchair? She knew dancing had always come from her heart, and her passion for it was still as strong as ever. Suddenly, Chelsie saw her future brighten. 'I don't want to stop doing what I love just because I'm different,' she told her dad. 'And I want to show other women that being in a wheelchair doesn't mean their dreams can't still come true!' A place where everyone belongs With her father's encouragement, Chelsie decided to start her own wheelchair dance squad. And when she put feelers out on social media, her inbox quickly filled up with messages from interested young women. After holding several auditions, Chelsie whittled the group down to five girls. And in October of 2012, 'The Rollettes' danced at a local charity event to promote awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities. Everyone was amazed by their talent and energy, so when Chelsie's dad shared a video of their performance on Facebook, it immediately went viral. Soon, the squad began receiving messages from other girls who'd also suffered spinal cord injuries and who loved to dance. Chelsie's heart swelled reading the inspiring responses. 'What if we hold dance classes and a camp for women and girls in wheelchairs?' she asked the team. They happily agreed, and that summer, Chelsie and her teammates hosted the first 'Rollettes Experience,' a four-day workshop that not only included dance sessions but also seminars on makeup, wellness, health and fitness. Looking around at the smiling faces, Chelsie's heart was full. This is our place, she beamed as she watched beautiful friendships blossom. A place where everyone belongs. Dreams come true In the past decade, The Rollettes' fame has continued to grow. And today, Chelsie and her team—Conner Lundius, Joci Scott, Samantha Lopez, Edna Serrano, Danika Whitsett—perform at all kinds of events across the country and internationally. As for the Rollettes Experience, which hosted just six girls that first summer, they just welcomed over 250 women in Los Angeles in July. 'The camp was the most incredible week filled with empowering girls,' a past attendee from Ohio says. 'It changed my life!' Another dancer from Connecticut adds, 'I didn't just find inspiration and friendship: I found home.' Chelsie has since graced the cover of Women's Health magazine, performed at the Paris Paralympics opening ceremony, and appeared in Lady Gaga's 'Abracadabra' music video. and has a growing portfolio of high-profile partnerships—from Reebok and Disney to Dove, Target, and Aerie. But hearing from others about how she has been an inspiration to them still fills Chelsie's heart with joy. 'I know how frightening it is to have your whole life change in an instant,' shares the now 33-year-old. 'I don't know what my life would be like if I'd never met these girls. They gave me purpose and have shown me that if you never give up, anything is possible. Life may turn out differently than we plan, but it can still be so wonderful!' For more inspiring stories, keep reading… Teen's Mission to Honor WWII Women Leads to National Rosie the Riveter Memorial in Washington, D.C. Her Lunch Money Helped Friends—Now Her Family Feeds 1,500 Hungry Kids Every Single Week She Left Her Job to Bring Free Music Lessons to Kids—Now Her Program Has Helped Thousands Solve the daily Crossword
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
‘More important than life': cancer-stricken China dancer keeps performing in major shows
A famous dancer in China who was diagnosed with breast cancer and endured dozens of rounds of medical treatment last year still devotes herself to dancing. Advertisement Zhu Jiejing, a 39-year-old principal dancer with the Shanghai Dance Theatre Company, says dancing is more important to her than life itself. Zhu shot to fame with her lead roles in prominent dances at the state media CCTV's Spring Festival Gala Show four times in the past five years. The show is the most watched TV programme in China. She was absent from the stage for almost a year in 2024 after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Zhu Jiejing shot to fame with her regular appearances on the most watched television show in China. Photo: Baidu Zhu surgery on her left breast and endured chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the Xinmin Evening News reported.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
‘America's favourite dancer' joins Strictly line-up
'America's favourite dancer' will join Strictly Come Dancing. Alexis Warr, who was given the accolade in 2022 for winning the television show So You Think You Can Dance, will seek to make a similar impression on British audiences when the new series airs this autumn. She will be joined by another newcomer, Julian Caillon, the Australian ballroom dancer and physiologist. The announcement comes amid changes to the Strictly line-up following a series of scandals on the show. Giovanni Pernice was left out of the 2024 line-up following an accusation by Amanda Abbington, the actress and former dance partner, of 'inappropriate, mean, nasty and bullying' behaviour in training. He was cleared of any physical wrongdoing following a BBC investigation, but a complaint was upheld for his use of 'belittling' language. Fellow Italian Graziano di Prima was initially confirmed for the 2024 series, but was let go by the BBC after reports of misconduct with his partner Zara McDermott. In an Instagram post at the time, he wrote: 'I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime. Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it's best for the show that I step away.' Warr said: 'I've admired Strictly for years, so joining this incredible family is such an honour. I can't wait to step into the ballroom, pour my heart into every moment, and share my love of dance with the UK.' Caillon, who shares videos on social media of his work training with the elderly, added: 'I've watched it for years, especially cheering on all the amazing dancers I know and work with who've been part of it. I can't wait to get stuck in, have some fun, and be part of something special.' The new pair will join fellow professionals Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
18-Year-Old Dancer Found Dead in Her Home Remembered as the 'Most Vibrant Girl': 'Her Time with Us Was Far Too Short'
Layla-Maria Grubb's loved ones said she "brought so much joy, light, and love into the lives of everyone who knew her" An 18-year-old dancer is being remembered by her loved ones following her tragic death. Layla-Maria Grubb was found dead in her home in Australia on Saturday, July 19, according to the Daily Telegraph. Her family told the outlet that the teenager died just hours after she was sent home from a hospital following a suspected seizure. "We all want to know what happened. We are searching for answers," Grubb's mother, Beth Ashton, told the Daily Telegraph. Grubb studied at the dance company Village Nation. The company's director, Briden Starr, described her as a "healthy, positive, focused girl," per the Daily Mail. In a heartfelt social media post shared after her daughter's death, Ashton wrote, "Our baby girl left us far too soon." "Layla-Maria brought so much joy, light, and love into the lives of everyone who knew her. A gorgeous dancer, who moved through life with the same beauty and passion she brought to the stage," she continued. "Her laughter, kindness, and beautiful spirit will be deeply missed and forever remembered." "Though her time with us was far too short, her impact will remain in our hearts, forever 18. ❤️," the grieving mother concluded. "We kindly ask for your thoughts and prayers for our family during this incredibly difficult time." The JLC Dance Company — which Grubb belonged to in Western Australia — also shared a tribute. The organization said the teen left for Sydney in 2023 to pursue a professional career in dance. "Layla was on a trajectory to stardom and had immense potential," the JLC Dance Company wrote on Facebook. "Layla was an amazing student, and friend, with a great personality and huge smile that lit up any room." The group continued: "Layla was an amazing friend to a lot of our staff and students and this devastating news has affected the entire JLC family and everyone that knew Layla for no matter how long, or short. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In a GoFundMe page, Grubb's friends said they wanted to "give Layla the send-off she truly deserves" and celebrate her life in a way "that reflects the incredible love and joy she brought into our lives." "Layla was pure light — an amazing dancer with an infectious laugh!" the friends continued, also remembering Grubb as "the funniest, goofiest, most vibrant girl you could ever meet, lighting up every room with her laughter and fun." A funeral service for the dancer will be held in Sydney on Friday, Aug. 1. Grubb's death investigation has been referred to the New South Wales coroner, local police told PEOPLE. "Due to the early stage of the matter, we cannot provide further detail at this time," a spokesperson said. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Talented young dancer is found dead in her home as her family demand answers
An aspiring dancer has been found dead in her home after suffering a suspected seizure hours after she was sent home from a hospital. Sydney woman Layla-Maria Grubb, 18, was found unresponsive by her family last Saturday afternoon. The 'bright, kind and talented' woman had been rushed to hospital earlier that morning after suffering from a seizure, before she was released hours later. Her family have said this was highly unusual and that their daughter had never experienced anything like this before. Prior to her death Ms Grubb had been described as a 'healthy, positive, focused girl' by the director Village Nation which was the dance studio where she studied. 'We all want to know what happened; we are searching for answers,' director Briden Starr told the Daily Telegraph. Ms Grubb's family have since launched a GoFundMe for their daughter as they come to grips with what has happened. 'We are absolutely broken, there is nothing that can take this pain away. Life will never be the same,' her mother Beth Ashton said. more to come
