Dancing with Taylor Swift: A 71-Year-Old Ballroom Dancer's Dream Come True
A 71-year-old ballroom dancer from Wrexham, Denise Sides, had a surprising experience when she was chosen to appear in a music video for a mystery artist. Little did she know that the artist turned out to be none other than Taylor Swift. Sides, who has been dancing for 60 years and teaches ballroom classes, was selected by Swift herself out of hundreds of applicants for the top-secret project. The whole experience was kept under wraps until just ten minutes before filming began, when Sides discovered she would be dancing in a video for a track from Swift's latest album, The Life of a Showgirl.
Swift, who sang in and directed the video, made Sides feel at ease during filming and was praised for her talent and kindness. Sides, a self-proclaimed Swiftie, was thrilled to be part of the project and was amazed when she saw the final video, which was released earlier this month. The video, titled Opalite, features a star-studded cast including Domhnall Gleeson, Lewis Capaldi, Greta Lee, and a cameo voiceover from Cillian Murphy, all of whom appeared on the Graham Norton show with Swift in October.
In the video, Sides is seen wearing a royal-blue ballroom-dancing outfit that she has owned since she became a professional dancer in 1988. Swift complimented her outfit and praised how well it fit the set. Despite her extensive dancing and acting experience, Sides described the shoot with Swift as the most significant moment of her career. She hopes that her experience will inspire others to pursue dancing, regardless of age.
Apart from running her dance studio since the 1990s, Sides also hosts inclusive workshops for individuals with disabilities. Dancing is her passion and happy place, and she believes that it is never too late to start dancing. The entire experience of being chosen by Taylor Swift for the music video is something that Sides will cherish forever and hopes it encourages others to follow their dreams in the world of dance.