Jennifer Lopez Books Another Kiwi Dancer
International pop-star Jennifer Lopez has booked yet another Kiwi to dance in one of her shows.
Twenty three year-old Michael Metuakore, resident of The Palace Dance Studio (The Royal Family), has been signed as a back-up dancer for Jennifer Lopez's 2016 Las Vegas show, All I Have.
Auditioning alongside 300 other male dancers, he was one of the final seven chosen to be a back-up dancer.
"We are excited for Michael to be booked [for JLo]," says The Palace Studio Manager, Brett Goebel. "He moved to Auckland with a dream in 2012, and with hard work, dedication and passion he is about to start living his dream in Las Vegas."
Michael, who joined The Royal Family with his brother Joseph, is from small town Tokoroa. “The move to Auckland was the biggest sacrifice I had to make. I always saw Tokoroa as my home. I was comfortable, I had my family and didn't know the outside world.”
His achievements this year also extend to his role in New Zealand's first multi-million dollar dance film Born to Dance, which was choreographed by Parris Goebel.
Michael has set up a Givealittle page to help fund his flights, accommodation and visa so he can dance for JLo in Las Vegas.
His mentor and close friend, Parris took to Instagram to congratulate Metuakore saying, “I’ve seen him at his worst and at his best, but this man took every inch of potential within him and worked so hard in hoping his opportunity would one day come.”
The Royal Family has had a huge flux of successes with Parris Goebel working with the likes of Janet Jackson, JLo and Nicki Minaj. Past member, Lance Savali, has been touring with Chris Brown and has also been signed to Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour, and Alexandra Carson is dancing alongside Janet Jackson in her world tour Unbreakable.
See Chris Brown, Janet Jackson, Madonna and The Palace Dance Studio