In 1997 I was eleven years old and obsessed with Mariah Carey. So much so that I did a solo dance to “Fantasy” for the end of year talent show at my elementary school. There was a lot of sashaying across the stage, a few high kicks, and a split for the grande finale. I choreographed the whole thing myself, and was very proud of it. Of course, I was an awkward white girl nearing adolescence who was trained in classical ballet, not hip hop. Needless to say, it didn’t go over so well.
Now that well over a decade has passed since my performance, I am no longer ashamed or embarrassed about it. In fact I’m totally proud of my 11 year old self for having the courage to get up on stage and shake my nerdy ass. And you know who gave me that courage? Mariah Carey.
