Viral 11-year-old Nigerian ballet dancer Anthony Madu who dazzled many around the world after a video of him dancing in the rain went viral has been offered a scholarship from the American Ballet Theater in New York City.
The video of Anthony Mmesoma Madu dancing in the rain in Lagos, became a growing sensation after it went viral and spread across the internet as social media users praised the 11-year-old for breaking cynical stereotypes around male dancers.
The American Ballet Theatre in New York saw the video and has offered young Anthony a scholarship from Ballet Beyond Borders and provided internet access for the 11-year-old to experience virtual training sessions this summer.
Anthony chatted with Washington Post to share his excitement at the news he would be soon training in the US.
“When my friends see me dancing, they feel like, ‘what is this boy doing, is he doing a foreign dance?’?” he said.
“Now I have won a grand prize to go to the US… I will be in the plane and this is what I am waiting for, and ballet has done it for me.”
Anthony and his mother, Ifeoma Madu, had a video chat with CBS where they expressed their excitement.
When asked how ballet makes him feel, the little boy said: “It makes me feel strong and happy when I’m dancing. I see my future like that I’m going to be a professional dancer when I grew up.”
