A gymnast at the University of California, Los Angeles, went viral for her incredible dance routine celebrating black culture after dancing to a mashup of hits by black artists.
Nia Dennis, 21, was competing against the state of Arizona on Saturday when she impressed the judges with her playful yet impressive routine with songs by Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, Soulja Boy, Tupac and Megan Thee Stallion.
“This routine definitely reflects everything I am today as a woman and, of course, I had to incorporate many parts of my culture,” Dennis told the Los Angeles Daily News.
Winning fans: UCLA Gymnast Nia Dennis, 21, went viral for her incredible walking routine celebrating black culture
Fun: Dennis impressed the judges with his playful yet impressive routine with songs by Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, Soulja Boy, Tupac and Megan Thee Stallion
‘I wanted to have a dance party because that is my personality and of course I had to shout LA because we are here, UCLA.’
The talented gymnast scored 9,950 in the solo exercise for her almost perfect performance, helping UCLA to defeat the State of Arizona in the confrontation.
When she wasn’t jumping or spinning in the air during her complex passes, she made the crowd go crazy with her dance moves.
Dennis looked like he was having a great time performing the powerful routine, and UCLA Gymnastics proudly accessed Twitter to share a video of her.
Playful routine: when she wasn’t jumping or spinning in the air during her complex fall passes, she made the crowd go crazy with her dance moves
Success: the talented gymnast scored 9,950 in the solo exercise for her almost perfect performance, helping UCLA to defeat the state of Arizona in the fight
Viralizing: Dennis’s performance video has been viewed more than 7.7 million times and has even caught the attention of rapper Missy Elliot
Impressed: Olympic gymnast Simone Biles tweeted that Dennis’ performance was “so much fun to watch” and told her to “keep killing”
Work: Dennis also received praise from Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez
‘This is what #blackexcellence looks like. @DennisNia does it again! ‘ they wrote.
In just one day, Dennis’s performance video was viewed more than 7.7 million times and even caught the eye of rapper Missy Elliot.
At the beginning of the routine, Dennis danced the opening of Elliott’s hit ‘Pass that Dutch’, and the rapper tweeted that the routine was ‘snappin’.
Dennis also received praise from Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez, who were impressed with the performance.
Incredible: Dennis’ widely celebrated performance comes almost a year after she went viral for her Beyoncé-inspired solo routine last March
Meaning: Dennis said that her last routine “reflects everything” that she is as a woman, as well as her culture
Making fans: Dennis is one of the brightest stars on the UCLA gymnastics team and has been an online sensation for years
‘Okay, @DennisNia, do that damn girl. It was so fun to watch! Keep killing! ‘Biles tweeted, while Hernandez commented,’ YOU BETTER SISSS WORKS. ‘
Dennis’s widely celebrated performance comes almost a year after she went viral in her Beyoncé-inspired solo routine last March, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic led to blockades across the country.
The then third-year student performed with a medley of orchestral versions of Queen Bey’s songs, including ‘Crazy in Love’, ‘Ego’ and ‘Lose My Breath’ by Destiny Child.
Dennis has been an online sensation for some years now. As part of one of her 2018 routines, she became famous for spelling her name in the air with her finger – a bold move that set her apart from the rest.