At The First Meet Of The Season For Her Collegiate Gymnastics Team, Nia Dennis Flipped, Leaped And Danced Her Way To A First-Place Finish On The Floor — And A Virtual Standing Ovation Of Applause On Social Media. The UCLA Bruins student’s dynamic routine, choreographed by Bijoya “BJ” Das, incorporated music from Black artists including Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, Missy Elliott, Dem Franchize Boyz, Soulja Boy and 2Pac. It was a reminder of the part of her identity that she often ignores in the gym.
For the first 17 years of her life, Nia Camille Dennis’ vision of stardom was to become an Olympic gymnast. From the age of four, she would swing around playgrounds in Columbus, Ohio, before her parents enrolled her in competitive gymnastics classes to channel her thrill-seeking behavior and put her athletic prowess to work.
Last year, at a UCLA meet, Dennis became an internet sensation with her viral floor routine set to a medley of Beyonce songs. The kinetic performance earned her millions of views online, a guest spot on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and shoutouts from stars like Missy Elliott. “Snappin,” the US rapper tweeted with a fire emoji.
The spirited routine was an expression of Dennis’ inner self, she says. It was an opportunity for her to showcase her love of hip-hop and celebrate her African-American heritage, which is a big part of who she is. In the future, she wants to incorporate more elements of her identity into her gymnastics routines.
Throughout her college career, Dennis would use the floor as her platform to tell stories, and she’d make it clear that her culture isn’t something to be hidden on the sidelines. In 2021, when she marched down the Met Gala red carpet in a custom blue Stella McCartney bodysuit, it was the culmination of months of media coverage, ranging from interviews on the likes of the Ellen DeGeneres Show to millions of social-media views of her Beyonce marching band routine.
Today, a few months after graduating from UCLA, Dennis continues to flip and leap and dance her way through her post-gymnastics life. She’s pursuing dancing, modeling and acting, preparing to launch her own business and advocating for issues like mental health awareness. She’s also a brand ambassador for Adidas Women and Sylvia P leotard lines, as well as a repping the USA on the world stage. But she still finds the time to hone her gymnastic skills at Buckeye Gymnastics in Westerville, Ohio and Legacy Elite Gymnastics in Naperville, Illinois. She trains with her teammates at both facilities, and competes internationally. Nia has won a gold medal with the USA National Team, as well as junior all-around and vault silver medals. Follow NBCBLK on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more updates from the entertainment and sports team. NBCBLK’s Cynthia Silva contributed to this report. Follow NBCBLK on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook for more videos.
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