Mobile's Prancing Elites dance team got a Hollywood moment in the 10th episode of its Oxygen channel reality show, traveling to Los Angeles for an audition and getting a role in a music video.
One of the show's more upbeat episodes, "Prancing with the Stars" was light on setbacks, though not without some trepidation. For one thing, the team was more interested in dancing than in mounting a PR offensive, which caused some friction with media coach Jackie Jordan. Team member Kareem Davis was particularly reluctant to speak up in interviews. For another, there was the moment when the group's audition, which pitted them against some relatively conventional all-female troupes, left onlookers' jaws hanging. "I was not expecting that, at all," said director CJ Vinson, looking somewhat freaked out. "It was definitely very different. Thank y'all so much for coming out."
It looked grim, but the Elites' unconventional approach won out. (The promise of some cross-promotional synergy probably didn't hurt, though that's just a guess.) The finished product illustrates the song "Deconstruct You" by the pop band Driver Friendly. In it, the Prancing Elites play cheerleaders who save the day when the hapless band is getting roughed up in a basketball game.
Another win: The team made an appearance on the talk show "Dish Nation," talking to hosts Heidi and Frank from KLOS-FM 95.5. Praised by the hosts for their bravery, it was Davis who piped up: "The hardest thing to ever do in life is to be yourself. So that does make us brave, not just as gay men, but as people who are expressing themselves."
"So what's the big dream?" asked one host. "What's the endgame here?"
"Putting J-Setting in the professional dance world," responded team leader Kentrell Collins. It might be a lot to ask, but the episode's activities certainly did a lot to help popularize its distinctive dance style.
It might be a harder sell next week: A preview hinted that the Elites will participate in a co-ed dance competition, where the audience reaction will be mixed, to say the least.
For previously aired episodes of the show, outtakes and other material, visit www.oxygen.com.