Sophia Lucia is an American dancer. Described as a "phenom" by multiple media publications,[1][2][3] she holds the Guinness World Record for most consecutive pirouettes. She is also known for her appearance on the reality television show Dance Moms.

Sophia Lucia
NationalityAmerican
OccupationDancer
Years active2012–present

Early life edit

Sophia Lucia was born to mother Jackie Lucia. She is from Poway, California, United States. She began dancing at the age of two at San Diego Dance Centre, which is owned by her cousin Kristen Hibbs.[4] Lucia moved to Arizona to train in ballet. She joined Phoenix's Master Ballet Academy in 2015 or 2016.[1] She has also danced at Phoenix Ballet as a volunteer.[2]

Career edit

In January 2012, a video of Lucia performing 40 turns was uploaded to YouTube.[4] It went viral, garnering over 800,000 views by February 2013.[5] The video was also sent to The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Her mother recalled that a representative "called back in a week and said, 'We have to have her on the show'". Lucia performed a tap dance in the "hidden talent" portion of a February 2012 episode.[4] She also briefly made an appearance in the reality television series Dance Moms as one of Abby Lee Miller's "replacement" dancers.[5][6] In 2013, Lucia broke the Guinness World Record for most consecutive pirouettes at age 10 after completing 55 turns,[7][8][9] surpassing Alicia Clifton's record of 36.[10] The following year, she was named the Junior Female Best Dancer at the Dance Awards in New York City.[1] At age 13, she portrayed the Harlequin Doll in Phoenix Ballet's production of The Nutcracker at Orpheum Theatre. In a review, Kerry Lengel of AZCentral said she played the role "with humor and aplomb".[11]

Public image edit

Multiple media publications have described Lucia as a "phenom".[1][2][3] According to the magazine Dance Spirit, Lucia's rapid rise to fame was due to her "top-notch technique and unreal flexibility", as well as her appearance on Dance Moms.[12] Her ballet teacher Rachel Sebastian stated that she exhibits the "perfect storm" of natural talent and tenacity that helps her turn well.[4] Lengel partially credited the popularity of Phoenix Ballet's The Nutcracker to Lucia and her fame from reality television.[13]

Credits edit

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2012 Shake It Up Dancer Episode: "Copy Kat It Up"
2012, 2016 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Herself 2 episodes
2012–2013 Dance Moms Herself 5 episodes
2013 Dancing with the Stars Herself 1 episode
2013 America's Got Talent Herself 1 episode
2015 Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn Russian kid Episode: "I Want Candace"
2015 The Nutcracker Harlequin Doll At Orpheum Theatre
2016 So You Think You Can Dance Herself Contestant (season 13); 3 episodes
2016 A Nutcracker Christmas Sadie Television film
2022 Gummies Cathy Industry reading at Open Jar Studios

Awards edit

Award Year Category Result Ref.
The Dance Awards 2014 Junior Female Best Dancer Won
Guinness World Records 2013 Most consecutive contemporary dance pirouettes Won
Youth America Grand Prix 2016 Classical Dance – Women (Junior) Top 12
Contemporary Dance (Junior) Won
Pas de deux (Classical) (with William Jackson Beckham) 2nd place

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Fouhy, Craig (February 25, 2016). "Small Stars: Dancing phenom Sophia Lucia". KNXV-TV. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Lengel, Kerry (May 12, 2015). "Phoenix Ballet mixes classical discipline, reality-TV flair". AZCentral. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Barrett, Annie (May 15, 2013). "Dancing with the Stars recap: Ingo Rademacher and Kym Johnson eliminated". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Warth, Gary (February 12, 2012). "POWAY: 9-year-old dancer eyes world record for pirouettes". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Lucia, Sophia (February 20, 2013). "Meet Sophia Lucia!". Dance Spirit (Interview).
  6. ^ a b Marek, Emily (July 31, 2022). "Dance Moms: 5 Times I Agreed With Abby... And 5 Times I Agreed With The Moms". CinemaBlend. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  7. ^ Bell, Diane (May 15, 2013). "Pirouette champ turns heads on 'DWTS'". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  8. ^ Feidelson, Lizzie (December 21, 2017). "Inside the High-Drama World of Youth Competition Dance". The New York Times. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  9. ^ Polus, Sarah (October 6, 2014). "Kids break fitness Guinness world records with Mia Hamm at 'Fit Made Fun Day'". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  10. ^ "Sophia Lucia Sets New Guinness World Record for Pirouettes!". Dance Spirit. March 31, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Lengel, Kerry (December 22, 2015). "Dance review: 3 'Nutcrackers' in Phoenix range from so-so to spectacular". AZCentral. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  12. ^ Lucia, Sophia (November 6, 2017). "10 Quick Questions with Sophia Lucia". Dance Spirit (Interview). Interviewed by Alison Feller. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  13. ^ Lengel, Kerry (November 22, 2015). "Holiday dance guide: Not just 'Nutcrackers'". AZCentral. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  14. ^ "Sophia Lucia". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  15. ^ Oldenburg, Ann (May 14, 2013). "'Dancing With the Stars' narrows to Final Four". USA Today. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  16. ^ "Sophia Lucia Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  17. ^ Russo, Gianluca (June 6, 2018). "5 People You Didn't Know Auditioned for "SYTYCD"". Dance Spirit. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  18. ^ Radetsky, Sascha (December 8, 2016). "Sascha Radetsky Spills About His New Holiday Movie". Dance Magazine (Interview). Interviewed by Courtney Escoyne. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  19. ^ Brunner, Raven (May 19, 2022). "Lawryn LaCroix and Andi Villa Stover's New Play Gummies Announces Industry Reading". Playbill. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  20. ^ "Hall of Fame: Junior Female Best Dancers". The Dance Awards. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  21. ^ "Most consecutive contemporary dance pirouettes". Guinness World Records. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  22. ^ "YAGP 2016 – San Diego, CA Winners". Youth America Grand Prix. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  23. ^ "YAGP 2016 – New York, NY Winners". Youth America Grand Prix. Retrieved December 17, 2022.

External links edit