DOCUMENTARY: The journey to join the world-famous Radio City kickline. Follow 2 Rockette hopefuls.

For seven months, we've followed the journey of two Rockette hopefuls -- and the precision dance company they hope to join -- through auditions and life-changing decisions.
Video by Tania Savayan/lohud/USA Today Network New York
The Rockettes wanted a kickline that looks more like America. Could they do it? (For our subscribers only)
www.lohud.com/...

[@KandeShack]

It’s on my “bucket list” to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular!

[@Fumi007]

To the massive amount of people who are disliking this video, I'm sure you are upset because you think it's about forcing diversity. Keep in mind when it's not just about the most talented dancer getting the part. It's about who is the most talented *out of the women who actually showed up to audition*. Think of it this way: Rose is amazing but not as good as Amanda. But Amanda stays at home while Rose auditions and wins the spot. Is Amanda a better dancer? Yes, but since she didn't show up, Rose wins the part. The Rockettes are not promising women of color they will get cast. They just want them to feel comfortable showing up and proving themselves. It's a win/win. The Rockette's get a larger pool of talent and women of color get a chance.

[@Green.heron24]

Very well done. Hard work, dance talent, experience and beauty pay off. Great piece, and much respect for all the dancers. At least the conservatory gave them an extra boost and chance.

[@carlhicksjr8401]

OK, so I'm not a dancer. I'm a military historian, veteran, and Civil War reenactor. I've written and erased my comments on this video probably three or four times at this point. Weeding out the hyperbole, cutting through the fat, and boiling what I have to say down to the essential statement, I've come up with this: There's room at the table for everybody. Positive change DOES happen. I'm almost 60, and looking back that seems to be the theme to era in which I've lived. Keep working, keep pushing. You're making it happen. Please accept the sincere respects and honest regards of an old cavalry corporal. A tip of the Stetson to you.

[@sustuart8099]

I worked at RCMH for over 20 years & the line had been homogeneous with 1 exception every so often. Often dancers or color were sent to be a Rockette in one of the satellite location. The Xmas Spectacular is seen by millions of all backgrounds so finally making it reflective of not only America but of their paying audience. It good to see they are finally creating a pipeline for all dancers to become Rockettes

[@stanksinatras]

maybe dancers of color aren't as good so thats why there arent many of them

[@menotme5560]

I feel sorry for the dancers who want to be a Rockette but are too short because no matter how good they are, they will never realize their dream.

[@TXgirl]

That was my situation

[@Wenderzs1]

Yup. 5' 6" minimum without shoes. So many amazing dancers that will never even have a chance because of that.

[@rachel453]

I realized at age 9 I’d be too tall and my dreams were crushed

[@TXgirl]

@@rachel453 darn 5’1, to bad we couldn’t split the difference 😊

[@jgilc2691]

I experienced this when auditioning for Ice Shows decades ago. As a male chorus skater; the height requirement for the shows that I truly wanted was 6 feet plus. And there were strict weight requirements. Brutal! Ot didnt stop me. I landed a spot in a show at 5'10", got show experience and some how landed a spot in one of the shows that I truly wanted. I understand the frustrations out there. I don't know how weight requirements are dealt with today but, back in the day the weekly weigh ins weren't a highlight of the week. I was required to be 145 lbs at 5'10". We would get a fine out of our paycheck if over or under 3 lbs. And if we didn't get within requirement within 2 weeks of tour... FIRED!

[@tamrid.graves6974]

I'm not even a dancer but I am so inspired. Thank you for sharing!

[@mildredkrisik8888]

Wish Radio City Hall would make a DVD of the updated show. I have an older DVD of the Rockettes and it is wonderful. I'm sure an updated Rockette show would sell widely!

[@LaReginaPatrizia]

I don’t see any dislikes. I think that this is a wonderful documentary.

[@Fumi007]

KZbin has hidden the dislike count on all videos. But if a video has 17k views and less than 300 likes, then it means there is a massive dislike ratio. We just can't see it.

[@LaReginaPatrizia]

@@Fumi007 thanks so much

[@andreahill1543]

Loved this!!!

[@Fandomonium456]

Love this!! Wish I had the guts to be a trailblazer back in the day

[@Ms.Opinionated]

I have been watching sista gurl for years. Congrats on 17 yrs. Love that diversity is finally a priority!!! Rockettes and DCC have similar kicklines: you need great stomach muscles and kick control. One Love ❤️

[@francisalanbeattie4458]

Positive healthy attitude.

[@skybaker6104]

This is mind blowing but NATALIE BUTT IS MY doppelganger!! Like exactly we look alike it shocked me at first!!!

[@CutesyBubblez]

This is a beautiful and needed initiative to level the playing field and bring proper representation to the stage. Little kids who watch the Rockettes shouldn't have to ask themselves why they only see 1 or 2 girls who look like them.

[@nancydavieau]

DEI

[@MrPAPAGAYO46]

Varias integrantes del cuerpo de bailarinas sincronizadas y ya reconocidas como Las Rockettes relatan una semblanza de todos sus intensos entrenamientos diarios a fin de conseguir toda la perfección y calidad únicas y sobresalientes en todas y cada una de sus frecuentes presentaciones.

[@roxysimmons]

Love the diversity, but where are the Asian ladies?

[@danabuck6461]

One possible answer could be that many Asian females fall below the Rockette height requirement of a MINIMUM of 5'6".

[@tiffyjade690]

I know, that really sucks that many Asian women are great dancers but genetically are not tall enough to meet the minimum height requirement to be a Rockette.

[@luv2icesk8lots]

@@danabuck6461 Just FYI, the minimum height requirement changed this year and is now down to 5’5” instead of 5’6”. It is kind of splitting hairs though...many women of varying backgrounds will never reach that minimum height. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I would be incapable of being a Rockette bc I am too tall (6’0”, 1.5 inches over the 5’10.5” limit).

[@yolandaortiz8438]

Will be going to see the show in a few days

[@skybaker6104]

And we are both dancers and I'm only 15!!

[@janetkeen8280]

Loved the video and the Rockettes team diversifying because there are equally talented women of color(s). I am a 5'1" (very white) ex professional ice skater who battled for positions due to lack of height. Congrats to all!

[@ashleybucci23]

This!!!!! I came here to say the same. I'm Also 5'1 and could never audition simply because of the height requirement :(

[@diane5836]

Yeah but their aren't ANY white dancers in alvin alley, or dance theatre of Harlem. Not very diverse . It cant just go one way.

[@Tonetwisters]

Anhh ... Sounds like my Rockettes have gone WOKE like the rest of this ludicrous country. I love that black women are dancing in the Line. But choose the best dancers, not just percentage numbers. But whatever you do ... Time is running out. Choose LIFE. Choose Jesus: He is the only way out of this world alive and is the only way to escape what is coming. God bless.

[@twistoffate4791]

This isn't a religion or political discussion page.

[@Jennifer-gr7hn]

Praying for these beautiful women showcasing their God-given talents and hard work, that they are safe from the shots/boostrz because they are young and healthy and so don't harm them!

[@BigT-vk5yn]

That’s just how things were back then. Yes it’s awesome to see a diverse of women and men dancers. Don’t focus on the past, focus on the present, it’s diverse now.

[@lesleysears9808]

Sasha, you didn’t make it because you did not smile while dancing in the audition! You need to dance with your joy showing on your face❤you can do it! You have to turn on your face!!!!

[@Rae8Anne]

I JUST said this exact same thing out loud. I believe this is true as well. When Sasha showed her *beautiful* smile, saying she'd be back, I said, "And bring that next time!"

[@deliafredericks7578]

People of colour--- So what do we have -- Different people of different colour but we all a human

[@nancydavieau]

So if you are not Caucasian then you have a much better chance of being chosen / DEI

[@kham6006]

Omg

[@ericwright1840]

You wonder 🤔 about the ones who didn't make it.

[@MaryCircus]

If I am white can I be hired Dance Theater of Harlem. I am not being sassy. It is a honest question? If things become truly equal that would be great.

[@atlsuperstar]

Ask the white dancers that are presently in the Alvin Ailey Company

[@MaryCircus]

@@atlsuperstar cool

[@julias2977]

I think ALL of these women are beautiful and sooooo talented! I didn’t know that the Rockettes wouldn’t audition women of colour until now. I couldn’t choose any one of them, as they’re all fantastic! I don’t like ‘wokism’ but this is the part of being woke that I do love and support.

[@anapaladi4499]

They do for a while because they have pictures with different backgrounds

[@makenziecely]

I believe you are mistaken about the rockettes only just now allowing black/African American dancers to audition. If I remember correctly, it has been over decade (possibly two) since they hired the first racially diverse dancer.

[@luv2icesk8lots]

Must be over 2 decades bc the one black/African American Rockette who was helping teach at the conservatory said she was entering her 17th year as a Rockette (classifying herself as a “career” Rockette vs one who would only perform for one or two seasons before moving on to something else).

[@makenziecely]

@@luv2icesk8lots Could not remember the exact year she was hired, but I knew it was quite a while ago.

[@luv2icesk8lots]

@@makenziecely I read an article about this after I replied last night. Jennifer Jones, the first racially diverse (black/African American) Rockette was hired in 1988 to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in San Diego then the following year she was hired as a part time/fill in Rockette for the Christmas Spectacular. She almost didn’t try out for the halftime show job because she didn’t know what a Rockette was (she didn’t even know at the time of her audition), but a friend happened to see the audition announcement and it said that minorities were encouraged to audition. She nearly left the audition because the rest of the dancers didn’t look like her and one of her favorite dance teachers was holding class that day, but her brain told her to stay and the rest is history.

[@chaneltyler]

3? That’s NOT enough!

[@morganrondo]

I love that they’re moving towards racial diversity! But the country and dancing community also includes fat dancers and short dancers. Where are they?

[@BrownieWithCaramel]

Karen spotted 1:44

[@odalyslarissa3690]

😩 ᵖʳᵒᵐᵒˢᵐ

[@Digeroo123]

Three out of Eighteen. Not enough.

[@budzcreates]

Had to stop watching. Won't even bother explaining why.... I love the Rockettes. I want entertainers to entertain. We look to entertainment to escape

[@amyparker9816]

You just had to comment, didn't you? But you took the cowards way out and couldn't even explain that you don't want people of colour to have opportunities that have been traditionally reserved for white people.

[@budzcreates]

@@amyparker9816 False. You are making this about color not me, not at all. I chose not to continue to watch because this is America and anyone can be anything regardless of color or circumstance. Have you ever traveled abroad? I dont play the victim game- never have and never will. No one, NO ONE, who lives in this country is a victim. You didn't make the Rockettes- start your own dance company. You aren't tall enough? Start your own company. I would love to see an all black or Hispanic or Asian Rockettes, freaking awesome as we can all appreciate the power of the human spirit. NOTHING and NO ONE is stopping that from happening!!! All of these dancers are incredible and can go places. Nothing to do with color at all. So you can take your judgement of me and fuel more hatred, or you can try and comprehend there may be more depth to what I am saying- entirely your choice. I am not sure where you live but where I am no gives a flip about skin color- its all a modern media division ploy designed to suppress ALL people. Grow up, wake up, may God be with you, and may you and everyone with a dream be grateful they live in the US. Trust me- there are many who do not have our opportunities. Hope that clarifies for you and anyone else making inaccurate assumptions :) ps - the coward name calling is really weak. Be better.

[@am-lo1pz]

Weird how you think it's less entertaining to have Rockettes who aren't just white. Surely the show is exactly the same regardless of whether or not there are more dancers of colour?

[@budzcreates]

@@am-lo1pz I didn't say or imply that at all- that is all your projection.

[@julieartemova]

Gave it thumbs down. I’m a dancer and was excited to see a documentary about young girls getting into a prestigious company. Sadly, it turned out to be the same woke garbage with race batting that we came to accept from the American videos lately. Very sad.

[@bubbybets9336]

its not woke garbage to encourage POC to audition too

[@psymompa]

Having amazing dancers from different backgrounds is great.

[@kiki0girlify]

Sad that only 3 out of how many girls (40? 50?) are girls of color

[@MillennialMountainMama]

What’s “woke”? Maybe use proper English with your hateful comment.

[@atlsuperstar]

I hope you don’t come to New York with that attitude sweetie. You won’t make it very far! Do you even know what woke means? 😂😂😂😂😂. You missed the entire point of the video.