- UCLA senior gymnast Nia Dennis' near-perfect floor routine is going viral on social media.
- Her routine featured music from Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Soulja Boy, Tupac Shakur, and Megan Thee Stallion.
- Dennis received a score of 9.950 for her routine, and people can't get enough.
On Jan. 23, UCLA senior gymnast Nia Dennis performed a sh0wstopping, jaw-dropping floor routine that has since gone viral on social media. Her routine celebrated Black excellence, featuring music from all Black artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Soulja Boy, Tupac Shakur, and Megan Thee Stallion. She added in some fun choreography on top of her intense tumbles. (She also earned a score of 9.950.)
Perhaps unsurprisingly, people lost their minds over Dennis' routine after the UCLA Gymnastics shared a video of it to Twitter, writing, "This is what #blackexclellence looks like."
This is what #blackexcellence looks like. @DennisNia does it again! 🔥📹 @Pac12Network pic.twitter.com/2vxgyTvUCGJanuary 24, 2021
Not only did the UCLA Gymnastics tweet received more than 41,000 likes and 11,000 retweets, but a quote tweet from Twitter user Wells P got nearly 300,000 likes and 80,000 retweets. So, yeah, viral.
WE GOT A NEW SUPERSTAR pic.twitter.com/7HYI5lX8RsJanuary 24, 2021
"WE GOT A NEW SUPERSTAR," Wells P captioned the video.
But another person replied, "nia BEEN a superstar."
Gold medal Olympic gymnast Simone Biles was also blown away, saying on Twitter, "okay @DennisNia do the damn thing girl 🔥 this was so fun to watch! keep killing it!" Dennis replied with a sweet and simple, " thank you girl
okay @DennisNia do the damn thing girl 🔥 this was so fun to watch! keep killing it! https://t.co/eDntwMpC4RJanuary 24, 2021
In an interview with Los Angeles Daily News, Dennis shared the inspiration behind her routine and the impact she hoped it had on the audience and judges. "This routine definitely reflects everything that I am today as a woman, and of course I had to incorporate a lot of parts of my culture," she said. "I wanted to have a dance party because that's my personality and of course I had to shout out LA because we out here, UCLA."
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Last year, Dennis also went viral with her epic floor routine set to Beyoncé, which earned her a score of 9.975 from the judges.
A year after Katelyn Ohashi, Nia Dennis takes the Internet by storm. 😍@katelyn_ohashi @DennisNia @TeamUSA @uclagymnastics @gymnastics pic.twitter.com/Ywit6xP4DpFebruary 28, 2020
Dennis took to Twitter at the time to thank her new fans for all their kind messages from her Beyoncé routine. "I am overwhelmed with happiness and joy, thank you everyone for such positive messages, it means the world to me to have your support. this is so surreal i can’t even believe it! much love always."
I am overwhelmed with happiness and joy, thank you everyone for such positive messages, it means the world to me to have your support. this is so surreal i can’t even believe it! much love always.. -xx nations 💕February 28, 2020
Emily Shiffer is a former digital web producer for Men’s Health and Prevention, and is currently a freelancer writer specializing in health, weight loss, and fitness. She is currently based in Pennsylvania and loves all things antiques, cilantro, and American history.
-
Anne Hathaway Says This ‘The Idea of You’ Sex Scene Is the “North Star” for “Cinematic Sex”
The actress said it “makes it about her pleasure.”
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Zendaya Says She's Waiting for the "Right Timing" to Release New Music
"If there was a moment, maybe I would, you know, put out a little something."
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
All the Cult-Favorite Activewear in Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Rehearsal 'Fits
These pieces earned my immediate "Add to Cart."
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Flag Football Star Diana Flores on the Collective Power of Women's Sports
"I bet if you see a female athlete succeed, you're going to cheer with her."
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
The 60 Best Musical Movies of All Time
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
By Amanda Mitchell Last updated
-
The 21 Best Album Releases of 2022 (So Far)
Get your headphones out.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Last updated
-
The 50 Best Love Songs of All Time
The best, most romantic love songs ever written, spanning every genre.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
31 Different Pride Flags and What Each Stands For
Inclusivity matters.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
4 Best Sad Songs of 2022 to Play When You're in Your Feels
New songs from Maren Morris, Iann Dior, and more.
By Marie Claire Published
-
5 Best Love Songs of 2022 (So Far)
Raise your hand if you're very much here for the Avril Lavigne renaissance!
By Rachel Epstein Published
-
The 16 Best Sad Songs of 2021 to Play When You're Feeling Down
Not me still listening to "Drivers License" on repeat!
By Rachel Epstein Published