Miami Heat Dancers Keep Miami Hot
From WSVN.com
When it comes to keeping it hot, nobody fires up a crowd like the Miami Heat dancers.
From shaking it center court, to jetting across the globe, these ladies are the definition of white hot. Their faces are almost as popular as the players’ faces, and their sexy moves are watched just as closely as a slam dunk by King James. “The one routine that gets us all pumped up is ‘Crazy Legs,'” said Jamie, a Miami Heat dancer. “It has a little hip hop and booty in it, and the crowd just seems to love it.”
It’s safe to say that the Miami Heat dancers are living their own NBA dream. “It’s an experience of a lifetime to be in this arena, with the energy of the players, of the fans,” said Tamara, another Miami Heat dancer.
These women have a lot of pride in what they do. “We are the four-time most popular dance team in the NBA. We said it loud and proud, everywhere we go,” said Nic, a Miami Heat dancer.
When it comes to jewelry, not much compares to the coveted bling the Heat dancers sport. Six of the 22 ladies now have two precious, championship rings. “I got to ride the best heatwave I possibly could,” said Nic. “I made the team when I was 18 years old, and now I’m 21, and to have two championship rings before I’m 22 years old, before I graduate college, is a really important thing to me. I’m very prone to losing things, so what I do is keep them in a safety deposit box.”
But it’s not just the glamor of rings or dancing for the two-time defending champions. Being a Heat dancer has taken these ladies to exotic places they never imagined visiting. “Last season, I went to China with them for games, which was amazing, a life experience. These are opportunities I never thought I would have, and it’s a dream come true,” said Tamara.
“Last year, I was able to travel with a few other girls to the French All Star game in Paris,” said Miami Heat dancer Michele.
This season, the dancers jetted over to the Dominican Republic to shoot their steamy, swimsuit calendar. “It was so new to me, you know, fresh out of high school,” said Jeanelle, a first-year Miami Heat dancer, “and I’m going to a whole new country. It was my first time in another country. The scenery was breathtaking.”
“I’m actually Dominican, so going to the Dominican Republic for the first time with the Heat was amazing,” said Priscilla, a second-year Miami Heat dancer. “I got an early shoot, so I got up at 5 a.m. and got my makeup done, and I was able to see the sunrise.”
Don’t let all that fun in the sun fool you, though. These young women work hard. They practice four to five times a week, perform at games and are involved in a lot of charity work in the community. “Being a Heat dancer is not only what we do on court, but we do a lot outside, and that’s really humbling,” said Miami Heat dancer Shea.
When they aren’t dancing, some of the dancers are full-time students, dance teachers and even school teachers. “Some of my kids come into class, and they’re like ‘Miss Priscilla, I saw you last night on TV, and it’s exciting to hear their excitement for me,” said Priscilla.
While the excitement builds now for a heat three-peat, these young dancers’ dreams go beyond this season. “Everytime we perform, we talk about how we’re going to grow up, and once we hit 60, we’re all going to audition for the Golden Oldies and make a huge comeback,” said Priscilla.
The Heat dancers do get paid, but they will not reveal how much.
