UCLA gymnast blasts her way to viral glory with floor routine that honored ‘black excellence’



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A gymnast at the University of California, Los Angeles has gone viral for her incredible floor routine celebrating black culture after falling and dancing to a mix of black artist hits.

Nia Dennis, 21, was competing against Arizona State on Saturday when she wowed the judges with her playful but impressive floor routine with songs from Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, Soulja Boy, Tupac and Megan Thee Stallion.

“This routine definitely reflects everything I am today as a woman and, of course, I had to integrate many parts of my culture,” Dennis told the Los Angeles Daily News.

Winning fans: UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis, 21, has gone viral for her incredible floor routine celebrating black culture

Winning fans: UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis, 21, has gone viral for her incredible floor routine celebrating black culture

Fun: Dennis wowed the judges with his fun but impressive floor routine featuring songs from Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, Soulja Boy, Tupac and Megan Thee Stallion

Fun: Dennis wowed the judges with his fun but impressive floor routine featuring songs from Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, Soulja Boy, Tupac and Megan Thee Stallion

Fun: Dennis wowed the judges with his fun but impressive floor routine featuring songs from Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, Soulja Boy, Tupac and Megan Thee Stallion

“I wanted to throw a dance party because that’s my personality and of course I had to yell LA because we’re here, UCLA.

The accomplished gymnast scored a 9.950 floor drill for her near-perfect performance, helping UCLA defeat Arizona State in the game.

When she wasn’t jumping or spinning in the air during her intricate passes, she made the crowd go wild with her dance moves.

Dennis looked like he was having fun performing the powerful routine, and UCLA Gymnastics proudly took to Twitter to share a video of it.

Playful routine: When she wasn't jumping or spinning in the air during her intricate passes, she would make the crowd go wild with her dance steps

Playful routine: When she wasn’t jumping or spinning in the air during her intricate passes, she would make the crowd go wild with her dance steps

Success: The accomplished gymnast scored a 9.950 floor drill for her near-perfect performance, helping UCLA defeat Arizona State in the game.

Success: The accomplished gymnast scored a 9.950 floor drill for her near-perfect performance, helping UCLA defeat Arizona State in the game.

Success: The accomplished gymnast scored a 9.950 floor drill for her near-perfect performance, helping UCLA defeat Arizona State in the game.

Going viral: Video of Dennis' performance has been viewed over 7.7 million times and even caught the attention of rapper Missy Elliot

Going viral: Video of Dennis’ performance has been viewed over 7.7 million times and even caught the attention of rapper Missy Elliot

Impressed: Olympic gymnast Simone Biles tweeted that Dennis' performance was' so fun to watch 'and told him to' keep killing her '

Impressed: Olympic gymnast Simone Biles tweeted that Dennis’ performance was’ so fun to watch ‘and told him to’ keep killing her ‘

Work it: Dennis also received praise from Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez

Work it: Dennis also received praise from Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez

“This is what #blackexcellence looks like. @DennisNia is doing it again! ‘ they wrote.

In just one day, the video of Dennis’ performance was viewed over 7.7 million times and even caught the attention of rapper Missy Elliot.

At the start of the routine, Dennis danced to the opening of Elliott’s hit “Pass that Dutch”, and the rapper tweeted that the routine was “snappin”.

Dennis also received praise from Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez, both impressed with the performance.

Unbelievable: Dennis' widely celebrated performance comes nearly a year after she went viral for her Beyoncé-inspired floor routine last March

Unbelievable: Dennis’ widely celebrated performance comes nearly a year after she went viral for her Beyoncé-inspired floor routine last March

Meaning: Dennis said her latest routine 'reflected everything' she was as a woman as well as her culture

Meaning: Dennis said her latest routine 'reflected everything' she was as a woman as well as her culture

Meaning: Dennis said her latest routine ‘reflected everything’ she was as a woman as well as her culture

Make fans: Dennis is one of the brightest stars on the UCLA gymnastics team and has been causing a stir online for a few years now

Make fans: Dennis is one of the brightest stars on the UCLA gymnastics team and has been causing a stir online for a few years now

“ Ok @DennisNia, do this thing, girl. It was so much fun to watch! Keep killing him! Biles tweeted, while Hernandez commented: ‘YOU ARE WORKING BETTER SISSS. ”

Dennis’ widely celebrated performance comes nearly a year after she went viral for her Beyoncé-inspired floor routine last March, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lockdowns at the nationwide.

The then junior performed on a mix of orchestral versions of Queen Bey’s songs, including Destiny Child’s “Crazy in Love,” “Ego” and “Lose My Breath.”

Dennis has been causing a stir online for a few years now. As part of one of her 2018 routines, she spelled her name in the air with her finger – a cheeky gesture that sets her apart from the rest.

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