Originally Posted by missfrankiecat:
“Alesha learnt to perform a single routine in each of the dances she danced with matthew over approximately a week's tuition, dancing for approximately 14 weeks in total. She claimed never to have taken any classes before and she certainly hasn't since. It is fairly insulting to Darcey Bussell to suggest on that basis Alesha is more knowledgeable in any aspect of dance. Darcey is, of course, best known as a prima ballerina. She is also President of the Royal Academy of Dance, which over sees not only ballet but contemporary and jazz dance education in the UK, in part in recognition of her wide-ranging dance experience and interests. She has to my knowledge danced exhibitions in tango since her retirement from ballet, on Strictly itself she has performed Jive and AS with Ian Waite; studying at White Lodge she will certainly have learnt waltz and VW (the little girls always perform those in their Xmas show). Just examples from a lifetime of dance immersion. While she is no ballroom specialist, it is ludicrous to suggest she isn't far more experienced and knowledgeable than Alesha Dixon.”
Paragraphs would help here!
Alesha may have claimed not to have taken any classes, but then so did Jill Halfpenny. Alesha's wiki and IMDB both state she attended dance classes and was scouted there. After becoming part of Mis-Teeq, she worked as their choreographer, as mentioned.
Also, the comment about Darcey seems to be fairly contradictory. Most here claim that people with dance experience but no ballroom/latin training don't count as ringers, so by the same logic, Darcey isn't qualified to comment on it. 15 weeks
part-time is extremely vague too...Alesha trained for around the same number of weeks, but no doubt with
considerably more hours.
Yes, I saw the jive, which looked very bizarre and unlike a jive...and the AS seemed to be 90% lifts and showing off her flexibility.
Alesha consistently showed an understanding of and an aptitude for ballroom and latin technique. As stated, this, combined with her previous dance experience - makes her a more credible source for Strictly info,
in my opinion, of course.