Always one to exert her blond ambition, Madonna has gone on the hunt for the next best thing to back her up...on an international scale nonetheless - a dancer to fill the ranks of her dance troupe for her upcoming 2012 summer tour.
The undisputed Queen of Pop joined forces with "Smirnoff Vodka" and launched the global initiative.
The talent search entitled the "Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project" yielded hundreds of hopeful online submissions, and after months of searching the finalist culminate in an event on Saturday, November 12 in New York’s "Roseland Ballroom".
The dancers, 11 finalists are from all corners of the world - from as close as New York City and LA, and as far as Belgium and The Netherlands, arrived in New York City on Sunday and were relentlessly set to task.
Choreographed by Madonna’s lead dancer Shay Normann, who has been dutifully ordained by Madonna to turn these young upstarts into an ensemble worthy of an international platform starring the greatest pop icon on the planet.
"The chemistry between all of them is amazing", shared Shay Normann.
He’s performed with Madonna on tour and choreographed several of her recent videos.
Normann shares the artist’s unique philosophy, that the dancers enhance the palette of the stage as a canvas.
"It takes some people months - and they’ve done it in 5 days. They’ve become one...all for her."
Normann put the group through the rigors of an explosive opening number, that will feature them all in tandem, and at the center of it all will be none other than Madonna making her entrance.
"The diversity among them is amazing. Everyone is amazing with their unique style, and they keep learning."
Shay appeared eager to continue to test the limits of the talented team, many of whom are in New York City for the first time, pursuant of this amazing competition.
Give It Their All...
"You can’t really describe it", the soft-spoken, yet impressively present Alain Lauture (aka Hurrikane) offered about this chance to work with Madonna.
"We get to travel with one of the greatest artist and do what we love...and people enjoy it. It’s never too late to follow your dream...here I am."
And among the impressive female competitors Samara Cohen/"Princess Lockeroo" blends an unparalleled athletic strength in her dancing.
The powerfully constructed beauty has a gorgeously savage, yet gentile appeal that marks her undeniable stage presence.
"Everyone of us has a particular style that we do. The girls here are amazing, and we can go as all out as the guys."
To back up an artist as big as Madonna is a gift Cohen is bristling to experience.
"I’m ready to bring it. Just to see how Madonna works."
What is the binding thread amongst the ensemble is already the dedicated and deliberate work ethic that Normann has been drilling into them; certainly in preparation to keeping up with the intense energy that Madonna brings to her staged spectacles.
Each one of these skilled artists is expected to bring it from the git-go.
"I go full out to keep myself motivated", interjected "’Lil Buck" (aka Charles Riley).
The baby-faced Memphis born native demonstrates a fierce prowess on the dance floor, yet an unabashed admiration towards his competitors.
"Outside of the performance arena we’re all friends. Everybody’s cool."
Riley is focused on proven himself an outstanding contender.
"This doesn’t happen to people where I am from. They’ll say: if he can do it, I can do it."
And everyone had a favorite song of Madonna’s, that they would want to perform given the chance to work with the icon.
From the newer hits like "Hung Up" and "4 Minutes" to the signature songs like "La Isla Bonita" and "Frozen" - they all agree this is a life changing experience to criss-cross the world and audition for a living legend.
How among this talented troupe Madonna will pick just one to join her on the road will have to be seen, but Shay does grimace at the decision she is faced with.
"I wouldn’t be surprised if Madonna whispered in my ear and said...I’ll take them all", Normann says proudly and confident that he’s put together a team worthy of this opportunity.
"They are all hard workers, and this is what Madonna is looking for - bad ass dancers!"
Among them there is a lucky star.
Madonna’s "Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project" is set to launch on Saturday, November 12th, 2011, in the heart of Midtown Manhattan’s legendary "Roseland Ballroom" on 239 West 52nd Street.
When: 12,9:00 pm - 12:00 pm
Admission: Invite Only
source: edgeboston
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