40 Celebrities You Most likely Did not Understand Began as Dancers

Celebrities are similar to us! They’ve tons of passions and hobbies. And typically they’re a number of the most grueling actions—like dancing. Many stars have taken their skills from one stage to a different, together with the queens of going from dancer to celeb: Julianne Hough and Jenna Dewan. From Marvel stars like Zoe Saldana and Tom Holland to musicians like Jennifer Lopez and Madonna, all of the celebrities you are about to see began out twirling on their toes and doing the splits. Some even have the movies to show it.

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1

Jenna Dewan

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Lacking this right this moment! Dance has at all times been my emotional launch, the place i join the strongest, really feel my most sensual, highly effective and free. Might need to begin tik tok in any case😂 #tbt

A put up shared by Jenna Dewan (@jennadewan) on Apr 16, 2020 at 10:32am PDT

Jenna Dewan starred in 2006’s Step Up alongside her ex-husband Channing Tatum. However earlier than she confirmed off her strikes on the large display, the actress was a backup dancer for notable acts like Janet Jackson, *NSYNC, and Pink.

“Tour life is intense. I imply, there’s plenty of energy struggles that go on,” Jenna advised Harper’s Bazaar. “There’s plenty of drama. You grow to be this household that at instances feels dysfunctional, however then you definitely’re a household. You are caught on a tour bus collectively. All types of life classes occurred for me from 19 to 21.”

After internet hosting two seasons of World of Dance, Jenna went again to the manufacturing lot to mix her loves of dancing and performing, which included a lead position in Netflix’s Soundtrack.

2

Julianne Hough

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Julianne Hough burst onto the scene as an expert ballroom dancer at 19 on Dancing WIth the Stars. After showing on 5 seasons as dancer, Julianne began her profession as a rustic singer and actor with credit together with Footloose and Protected Haven.

Now, Julianne brings her dance power to her health regime KINRGY. “I imagine we’re all dancers,” she advised WH. “We had been rather more self-expressed after we had been children. I’m making an attempt to assist folks reconnect again to that internal youngster.”

3

Zoe Saldana

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CHECK IT OUT!! @aliciakeys Present Me Love,” music/video out now …in every single place!! thanks @aliciakeys for this superbly transferring opportunity- your imaginative and prescient is flawless. Hyperlink to full video in bio ⬆️

A put up shared by Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) on Sep 17, 2019 at 12:44pm PDT

Zoe Saldana’s first ardour wasn’t performing—it was ballet. The Guardians of the Galaxy actress enrolled within the Santo Domingo-based ECOS Espacio de Danza Academy, however she advised Vainness Truthful she “didn’t have the toes.”

However her dance background landed her one among her largest roles. “I feel I’d have by no means booked Avatar if it weren’t for my ballet background,” Zoe advised The New York Occasions. “The actress James Cameron wished was bodily in a position. I thank god for one thing like ballet, which gave that area for me to be on my own and discover peace. Ballet was my meditation, my remedy, my escape, my reply.”

4

Jennifer Lopez

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Everybody is aware of JLo has strikes. (I imply, have you ever seen her in Hustlers?) Earlier than she added singing and performing to make her a triple menace, JLo was a backup dancer for one of the crucial in style boy bands: New Children On The Block. Actually, she’s entrance and heart on this efficiency from 1991. That very same 12 months, she booked herself as a fly woman on In Residing Coloration.

In 1993, she launched her performing profession, however we nonetheless see her dance strikes and hearken to her experience on World of Dance. “I at all times take into account myself as a dancer first,” JLo stated. “I grew to become a singer and actress after dancing. For me, it is so a part of who I’m.”

5

Penélope Cruz

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Dreaming about #musicals #9 #robmarshall Soñando con #musicales #9

A put up shared by Penélope Cruz (@penelopecruzoficial) on Oct 21, 2019 at 4:06am PDT

Earlier than she was successful Oscars, Penélope Cruz skilled to grow to be a ballerina at Spain’s Nationwide Conservatory. At age 15, she signed onto a expertise company that led to her performing profession and subsequently her three Oscar nominations and one win.

“If I hadn’t had the self-discipline of all these years within the dance world, it could have been a lot, a lot more durable (to get performing components),” Cruz advised 60 Minutes.

6

Channing Tatum

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Sure, everyone knows Channing Tatum’s first main performing position was as a dancer in Step Up, however he needed to get these strikes from someplace. A 2009 Us Weekly article revealed that Channing was an unique dancer earlier than making it large.

Channing advised GQ he didn’t wish to cover it: “I had wished to inform folks. I’m not ashamed of it. I don’t remorse one factor. I’m not an individual who hides shit.” And all of us acquired Magic Mike and its sequel due to it, so I’m blissful he’s blissful.

7

Mia Wasikowska

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Earlier than she performed Alice in Tim Burton’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, Mia Wasikowska was nicely on her method to being an expert ballerina. She had been training because the age of 8, however an ankle damage at 14 induced her to hold up the ballet flats for some time.

“I tricked myself into leaving ballet,” she advised The Impartial. “I had a considerable sufficient damage to get a while off—I would acquired used to training 35 hours per week, leaving faculty at 1 p.m. and dancing until 9 each day—and I simply by no means went again.”

In 2017, she starred alongside Lakeith Stanfield in a Spike Jonez dance narrative for the stage known as Changers: A Dance Story.

8

Neve Campbell

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Neve Campbell did her personal dancing within the 2003 ballet movie The Firm. It was some extent of satisfaction for her since she spent most of her life coaching within the dance and was even a pupil on the Nationwide Ballet Faculty in Canada.

“It was my life, my love, and my introduction to the humanities,” she advised SFGate. “(However) I had handled plenty of accidents, and I knew that if I continued to attempt to have a profession in an organization, I’d at all times be combating that.” Possibly that additionally helped her evade killers within the Scream franchise.

9

Madonna

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Madonna has positively proven her strikes on stage earlier than, and her music pulsates via nightclubs in every single place. Earlier than she hit superstardom, she was on a dance scholarship on the College of Michigan, which she dropped to pursue a profession within the artwork in New York Metropolis.

“Once I first moved to New York I wished to be a dancer, I danced professionally for years, residing a hand-to-mouth existence,” Madonna advised The Guardian in 2005. “I by no means tapped into nightlife, all I knew was dancers, we went to mattress early and acquired up early and went to free live shows on the Lincoln Middle and Shakespeare within the Park.”

10

Heather Morris

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A put up shared by Heather Morris (@heatherrelizabethh) on Jul 20, 2020 at 9:49pm PDT

Earlier than starring as Brittany on Glee, Heather Morris was a backup dancer for the queen herself, Beyoncé. In 2007, she landed the coveted spot on the performer’s The Beyoncé Expertise world tour.

Heather confirmed off her strikes ceaselessly on Glee and even danced to “Single Women (Put a Ring on It).” Because the present’s finish, Heather was on DWTS, the place she got here in sixth and was famously eradicated after receiving an ideal rating.

Heather nonetheless dances and posts it on her IG. After the demise of Glee co-star and on-screen girlfriend Naya Rivera, Heather posted an emotional tribute to the late actress.

11

Natalie Portman

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Blissful #internationaldanceday! #blackswan

A put up shared by Natalie Portman (@natalieportman) on Apr 29, 2020 at 11:24am PDT

Black Swan wasn’t the primary time Natalie Portman did ballet, although the expertise was not like something she had gone via. “I actually thought I used to be higher than I used to be. It was a impolite awakening to get there, and to be, like, I don’t know what I’m doing,” Natalie advised The New York Occasions. “If I had identified how not near prepared I used to be, I by no means would have tried it. I’m glad I used to be slightly ignorant slash smug.”

Natalie studied ballet from a younger age via age 13.

12

Charlize Theron

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Charlize Theron confirmed off her dance strikes with Channing Tatum in 2013 on the Academy Awards. Her spectacular dance strikes and gracefulness was sufficient to shock some.

Early in her profession as a mannequin, Charlize nonetheless noticed herself as a dancer. She even moved to New York to review ballet, but it surely didn’t work out. “I used to be broke, I used to be taking class on the Joffrey Ballet, and my knees gave out,” she advised The New York Occasions. “I spotted I couldn’t dance anymore, and I went into a significant melancholy.” Now Charlize is an Oscar-winning actress, so it appears all of it labored out.

13

Kevin Federline

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Kevin Federline didn’t actually come onto the scene till he married Britney Spears. Previous to that, he was a backup dancer to a number of the largest acts together with Pink, Future’s Little one, and Michael Jackson. He was even featured in Justin Timberlake’s video for “Like I Love You.”

14

Columbus Quick

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Coming into Mondays w/ my bro @macw3rk exercise like….#POW #WhatsInTheFanny #Goodtimes #MondayMood #ELEVATED2020

A put up shared by Columbus Quick (@officialcshort) on Jun 15, 2020 at 4:47pm PDT

Scandal actor Columbus Quick was a backup dancer for one of many largest pop stars: Britney Spears. There are movies of him dancing subsequent to the “Poisonous” singer courting as early as 2003.

15

Jennifer Garner

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♥️🤍💙 It’s lastly right here 😁—time to vote! ♥️🤍💙 love, @TilerPeck and me (and Lizzo, hello @lizzobeeating, hello @donte.colley!) 🇺🇸🤩♥️

A put up shared by Jennifer Garner (@jennifer.garner) on Oct 10, 2020 at 11:09am PDT

Everybody is aware of Jennifer Garner can dance. (Have you ever seen her do “Thriller” in 13 Happening 30?!) Nevertheless it seems the actress studied ballet whereas rising up in West Virginia. Maybe that’s why she does Tutu Tuesday on her IG and performs with actual life ballerinas in her spare time.

16

Audrey Hepburn

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Abruptly the gracefulness of Audrey Hepburn is sensible. The Breakfast at Tiffany’s actress took up ballet throughout World Struggle II when her household fled to the Netherlands. Audrey skilled on the Arnhem Conservatory and was the “star pupil.” After that, she grew to become a pupil of Dutch ballerina Sonia Gaskell.

When her household moved to London in 1948, she was supplied a spot at Ballet Rambert solely to be advised her top and physique was not appropriate for a profession as an expert ballerina.

17

Sam Rockwell

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Sam Rockwell isn’t an expert dancer, however that doesn’t imply he can’t transfer. The Oscar-winning actor realized to breakdance rising up in San Francisco.

“I used to do actually unhealthy break dancing, when ‘Thriller’ and ‘Purple Rain’ got here out,” Sam advised The New York Occasions. “Most likely my largest inspiration was James Brown, and watching Tom Cruise in Dangerous Enterprise. I bear in mind training that, and watching James Brown do the splits.” It has positively turn out to be useful in a few of his roles.

18

Elisabeth Moss

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Fuck the hallway collection. 🎭

A put up shared by Elisabeth Moss (@elisabethmossofficial) on Jan 19, 2020 at 4:53pm PST

The Handmaid’s Story lead Elisabeth Moss took ballet very critically rising up. “Being a ballet dancer, you’re taking issues actually critically at a younger age,” Elisabeth advised Selection. “By 11 years outdated, you’re interested by what firm you wish to get into and the place you’re going to spend the remainder of your life.”

She studied on the Faculty of American Ballet in New York Metropolis after which went to Washington, D.C., to review with Suzanne Farrell on the Kennedy Middle. Elisabeth even produced a ballet documentary known as Ballet Now.

19

Amy Adams

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Amy Adams confirmed off her ardour for ballet in Vogue’s “73 Questions.” The Oscar-nominated actress grew up desirous to be a ballerina.

Now, she has shifted her consideration to wanting her daughter to do ballet. “I used to be a dancer, so I form of talked her into taking ballet,” Amy stated on Late Evening with Seth Meyers. “I wish to be a dance mother so unhealthy. I’d like it.”

20

Diane Kruger

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Actress Diane Kruger had desires of turning into a ballerina, however a knee damage at 13 shattered that imaginative and prescient.“When that ended,” Diane advised IndieWire. “I used to be actually misplaced for a very long time. Anyone noticed me dancing and stated, ‘You ought to be a mannequin!’”

That modeling profession finally led to her performing profession in movies like Troy, Inglourious Basterds and the upcoming motion thriller The 355.

21

Naomi Campbell

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With a dancer as a mother, it’s no shock supermodel Naomi Campbell contemplated a profession in dance. Naomi began attending the Barbara Speake Stage Faculty at 3 and was accepted into the Italia Conti Academy of the Theatre Arts to review ballet. She even appeared in two music movies: Bob Marley’s “Is This Love” and Tradition Membership’s “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya.”

Her musical previous and affect from her mom even helped on the runway. “(My mother) taught me find out how to stroll. It wasn’t that I did not know find out how to stroll,” Naomi stated. “She simply taught me find out how to have a bit extra swag and find out how to hearken to the rhythm of the music and find out how to stroll when there would not be music in any respect, and in addition to recollect the clothes that you just’re carrying.”

22

Colin Farrell

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Irishman Colin Farrell is know for his roles in motion pictures like The Lobster and Fantatic Beasts and The place to Discover Them. But earlier than these roles, he had a job as an expert nation line dancer. Sure, you learn that proper.

“I did receives a commission to do one thing that resembled some type of dance presumably for some time,” he advised Conan O’Brien of his CMT nation line dancing at age 19. Hey, he made some huge cash doing it.

23

Christian Bale

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Christian Bale studied on the Royal Ballet Faculty in London, and imagine it or not, he was the one boy within the class. His fellow dancers, particularly Annette McLaughlin, advised Wales On-line that Christian was the stud of the group.

“Then one time period he by no means got here again as he had auditioned for Stephen Speilberg’s Empire of the Solar,” Annette stated. “All the ladies within the class had been heartbroken, however he was on his manner. I’ve a great deal of textual content books from main faculty that say I ‘coronary heart’ Christian Bale. It’s hilarious to look again now as he’s such a mega star.”

24

Sarah Jessica Parker

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Sarah Jessica Parker grew up watching ballet in New York Metropolis and attended the Faculty of American Ballet in Manhattan. SJP even blended two of her passions—trend and ballet—to create the New York Metropolis Ballet Gala. “An concept was birthed eight years in the past when the tents had been positioned throughout this stunning promenade,” she advised The Hollywood Reporter. “I puzzled if there was one thing fruitful to be born of those two disciplines, of marrying.”

25

Kat Graham

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The Vampire Diaries actress Kat Graham was a backup dancer for a number of the largest in biz, together with Pharrell, Missy Elliot, and Usher. Kat acquired her begin at 15 as a backup dancer for Bow Wow after catching the attention of choreographer Fatima Robinson.

26

Sean Combs

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Sean “Diddy” Combs realized from the very best as a backup dancer for folks like Large Daddy Kane and Heavy D. He additionally appeared in music movies alongside Heavy D. and The Boyz’s after they carried out on In Residing Coloration. His profession as a rapper and producer formally began in 1993.

27

Jenna Elfman

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Blissful Mom’s Day to all of the mamas on the market, carrying the world & the long run on their backs! 💪🏼♥️ #happymothersday #mothersday // 📷: @jsarra

A put up shared by Jenna Elfman (@jennaelfman) on Might 10, 2020 at 9:05am PDT

Actress Jenna Elfman began ballet on the age of 5. The Concern The Strolling Lifeless star made her skilled dance debut in Depeche Mode’s 1990 video “Halo.” She starred in lots of different music movies and was a “Legs Lady” for ZZ Prime’s 1994 tour.

28

Megan Mullally

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marriage ceremony picture #❤️

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Will and Grace actress Megan Mullally studied ballet in Oklahoma Metropolis and within the summers attended the Faculty of American Ballet. She began the artwork when she was 6.

Ballet is finally what led to her profession in performing. “I used to be in a ballet firm and did plenty of roles that required plenty of performing,” Megan advised The Columbus Telegram. “I couldn’t do as many pirouettes as a number of the different dancers however I might act slightly higher.”

29

Vin Diesel

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Vin Diesel is not only a blockbuster motion star. He’s additionally a former rapper and viral breakdancing teacher.

If you happen to don’t imagine me, right here’s the proof. He even watched the throwback on Reside with Kelly and Michael and talked about his expertise of avenue performing in New York Metropolis.

30

Jessica Brown Findlay

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Downton Abbey star Jessica Brown Findlay began taking ballet when she was simply 2 years outdated. The actress continued in hopes of turning into a full-fledged ballerina.

However at 17, she skilled an ankle damage that pressured her to get surgical procedure and solid apart her dream. “I suppose I realized that placing all of your eggs in a single basket might be harmful,” she advised Marie Claire of the expertise.

31

Michelle Yeoh

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Bond woman Michelle Yeoh began her ballet coaching at age 4, and at 15, she studied on the UK’s prestigious Royal Academy of Dance. Sadly, her ballet profession was reduce brief in school after she suffered a spinal damage.

After instructing the artwork, Yeoh discovered herself in Hong Kong motion motion pictures, through which her dance expertise proved helpful. “That is like choreography,” she advised Vainness Truthful. Her performing profession landed her roles in Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Loopy Wealthy Asians.

32

Jamie Bell

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It’s no shock that the one that performed Billy Elliot within the eponymous movie can really dance. However for actor Jamie Bell, enjoying Billy Elliot on display mimicked his actual life.

“It is extremely impactful, it means every part, and every part type of comes again to that,” he advised The Guardian. “That wasn’t actually performing to me. That was my life. I would put ballet footwear down my pants to cover them from my mates. I would accomplished all this earlier than. So the Bafta would not really feel like an achievement. The achievement was getting the position. However I take into account that to be extraordinarily fortunate.”

33

Sutton Foster

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@bygonebroadway you’ve accomplished it once more. Will Rogers Follies 1992! 17 12 months outdated Sutton with Julie Lamar!

A put up shared by Sutton Foster (@suttonlenore) on Nov 11, 2019 at 3:28pm PST

You don’t land a task in Broadway’s Kinky Boots with out years of dance coaching. Broadway star Sutton Foster began ballet at age 3.

By 7, she had added faucet dancing to her expertise. “I simply beloved it,” Sutton advised Dance Journal. “I danced all through highschool, did dance competitions yearly, recitals, every part.”

Dancing led to singing, which paved the best way for musical theater, then finally performing. The Youthful star is understood to mix her skills, particularly on the small display when she was the protagonist within the extremely underrated present Bunheads.

34

Kelly Bishop

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Having additionally starred in Bunheads, it won’t shock you to study Gilmore Women actress Kelly Bishop has a background in ballet. All through her childhood, she skilled on the San Jose Ballet Faculty. She made her debut at Radio Metropolis Music Corridor in 1962 as a part of the corps.

35

Patrick Swayze

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Patrick Swayze’s mom was a dance trainer, so it’s not so far-fetched that he practiced ballet.

After leaving Texas, Patrick went to New York Metropolis for extra formal coaching. Proper round that point, his performing profession took off, however he was in a position to mix his skills in movies like Soiled Dancing. Patrick even met his spouse on the dance ground at his mom’s studio.

36

Catherine Zeta-Jones

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Faucet Tuesday 😂

A put up shared by Catherine Zeta-Jones (@catherinezetajones) on Oct 31, 2017 at 10:47am PDT

Everybody watched Catherine Zeta-Jones showcase her musicality within the movie adaptation of Chicago, however the actresses dance expertise started in childhood.

Catherine grew up taking faucet and ballet classes. She even grew to become a nationwide faucet dancing champion as a teen earlier than showing in lots of West Finish productions.

37

Tom Holland

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What a throwback! Webslinger Tom Holland was solid as Billy Elliot within the stage manufacturing at age 8. This text from the Richmond and Twickenham Occasions options and lovable picture of the actor, who on the time was taking hip hop lessons on the weekend. “I used to be so excited to be solid as Billy,” he stated on the time. “My mum and pop joke about who I take after. I’ve seen them each dance and I’ve to say, there should have been a combination up on the hospital!”

38

Lea Thompson

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Again to the Future actress Lea Thompson had her love for dance reignited when she competed on season 19 of Dancing with the Stars. Nevertheless it was ballet icon Mikhail Baryshnikov who stated Lea was “too stocky” to be a ballerina. “He stated, ‘I can’t take you since you’re too stocky and also you’re not versatile sufficient,’ and he was proper. It was the very best factor that ever occurred to me,” Lea stated. “I walked out, I grew to become an actress (and) I acquired seven motion pictures within the subsequent two years.”

39

Nina Dobrev

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Effectively, if you’re the BFF of Julianne Hough, it’s no shock dance is in your background. Nina Dobrev began dancing when she was a toddler. She took ballet and jazz classes, however The Vampire Diaries star realized early on that performing was for her.

40

Tupac Shakur

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The late rapper and actor Tupac Shakur acquired his begin within the hip-hop group Digital Underground. Although he was primarily the group’s roadie and emcee, he did do some background dancing.

From: Ladies’s Well being US