Auckland teen 'so emotional' over Will Smith shout out
A dance crew from Manurewa High School in south Auckland earned second place in a recent national dance competition.
Waking up to the news that a Hollywood star had shared a social media post about his school's dance performance was the "best thing ever" and "so emotional" for Iavana Seula.
Fresh Prince star Will Smith shared a social media post about Manurewa High School's dance performance at the Hip Hop International NZ Mega Schools Street Dance Competition.
The "Rewa All Stars" hit headlines when a video of their dance production, inspired by Smith's 1990s sitcom, became an online hit. It was viewed hundreds of thousands of times on Facebook alone.
Iavana Seuala, centre, played Will Smith's character in Fresh Prince.
Seuala, who played Smith in the dance production, said he was teary-eyed when he found out his 'idol' had shared their post.
READ MORE:
*Auckland hip hop dancers nail killer Fresh Prince moves in viral video
* Manurewa students say originality, creativity made their dance a hit
The American actor shared the video on his Facebook page.
"NEW ZEALAND. Turnin' Up! Shout out to the Rewa All Stars…this piece is HOT!!," he said.
"I was so emotional, man that's huge," the 17-year-old student said.
"Will Smith recognised our hard work and it's just great.
Smith in the 1990s American sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
"I'm a huge Fresh Prince fan and I'm always trying to talk like him and dress like him – this was the best thing ever."
Seuala said he felt like a king playing Smith in the dance performance and while he was definitely excited about the recognition, his mum was quick to bring him down back to earth.
"I still have to wash the dishes, clean my room and pass school but Will Smith, wow!
The Rewa All Stars dance crew on stage.
"He's my biggest inspiration ever and I am just overwhelmed."
Seuala said their next goal was to get on the Ellen Show.
Social media users were tagging the Ellen Show on the video, hoping the popular American talk-variety show would feature them next.
"Definitely Ellen next – that would be next level insance."
Manurewa High School principal Pete Jones said south Auckland was finally getting on the news for all the right reasons.
"I'm so proud of the dance team, they put in so much work into this," Jones said.
"These kids get really downhearted when bad stories about south Auckland get on the news so this in their positive contribution to the image that's out there."
He said the goal now was to attend the World Dance finals in America in 2019, and build a performance space in the school for students and the community.
"The World Dance will be a challenge because we have to raise enough money to send the group.
"Hopefully this bit of good news about Will Smith will get people digging into their pockets in recognition for the talent these kids have."
He said Smith's shared post topped off an amazing week for the group of south Auckland teenage dancers.
And the dancers pulled off a great tribute to Fresh Prince character Carlton (Alfonso Ribiero), as they danced to the song he famously danced to in the show, It's Not Unusual, by Welsh crooner Sir Tom Jones.
- Stuff
Comments