Top 10 Celebrities Who Started Out As Dancers
#10: Elisabeth Moss
Before Elisabeth Moss broke ground with television series like "Mad Men" and "The Handmaid's Tale," she had other aspirations. Growing up, the California–born actress dreamt of being a dancer and even traveled around the country training. Gaining experience at places like the American School of Ballet and the Kennedy Center, Moss worked with some of the industry's most esteemed teachers. Eventually, she made the giant leap to acting. However, in 2018 she returned to the world of dance when she signed up to co-produce the documentary "Ballet Now," reuniting with her first passion.
#9: Colin Farrell
It might be hard to believe, but before he was lighting up the big screen, Colin Farrell was a line dancer. During the ‘90s, the country style caused quite a sensation in Farrell's native Ireland. And the future "Total Recall" star, then only 19 years old, was crossing, shuffling and pivoting across many dance floors to make a living. Not only that, but he also dressed head to toe in a cowboy hat, boots and sleeveless shirts. His two-stepping days might be behind him, but luckily for fans, there are pictures for fans to obsess over!
#8: Michelle Yeoh
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Michelle Yeoh has been rightfully praised for her acting and physically demanding performances in films such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Everything Everywhere All at Once." So, it shouldn't surprise us that she started her career as a dancer. Yeoh began studying ballet at a very young age, and her passion continued through her teens. She even moved from Malaysia to England to study at London's Royal Academy of Dance. However, a devastating injury halted her plans. She continued to work in dance as a choreographer and eventually found acting, which helped her continue to pursue her love of the arts.
#7: Zoe Saldaña
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Actress Zoe Saldaña knew early on that dancing was in her blood. After her family settled in the Dominican Republic, she discovered her passion for the art form. She began to study and was especially drawn to ballet. Years later, Saldaña admitted that she didn’t feel like she had the “feet” to pursue the craft professionally. Indeed, her training probably came in handy for her dance-centric film "Center Stage'' in 2000. It followed the ups and downs of a group of aspiring ballet students in New York City, and was Saldaña's silver screen debut. She’s been slaying the game ever since.
#6: Jenna Dewan
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Powerhouse performer Jenna Dewan is among the most talented dancers in the entertainment industry today, and she’s been honing her skills ever since she was a kid. As an adult, her love of the craft led her to touring with Janet Jackson, dancing backup for the likes of *NSYNC, and appearing in music videos. Film fans, meanwhile, got acquainted with Dewan after seeing her star in dance-themed films like "Take the Lead" and, most notably, "Step Up." Today, the starlet balances her passion for dancing and acting by lending her talents to shows like "Come Dance with Me" and "The Rookie."
#5: Sean Combs
Years before Sean Combs had people dancing and bopping along to his music, he was providing backup moves for some of the biggest acts of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Indeed, the mogul, also known as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, was a dancer for acts like the Fine Young Cannibals and Father MC. Eventually, Combs worked his way up to be front and center with his own music. He often draws from his dance roots in his videos, showing off a step or two. He even has his own move, the “Dippy Bop”
#4: Madonna
For decades, Madonna has been a pop music and culture icon, and her legendary career all began with dance. Enrolled in ballet lessons at a young age, the Michigan born Grammy winner's undeniable talent earned her a college scholarship. She left the post-secondary dance program in favor of moving to New York City, where she studied at the prestigious Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and worked with renowned artists like Martha Graham. Sometime after her move to The Big Apple, the "Material Girl" singer found her way to the microphone and started singing. Still, dance has remained integral to her artistry and brand throughout her career.
#3: Tupac Shakur
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One of the greatest rappers of all time, the late Tupac Shakur's journey has its broader roots in the arts as a discipline. Indeed, as a student at the Baltimore School for the Arts, the dearly departed legend even portrayed the Mouse King in the school's production of the Christmas classic, "The Nutcracker." The teenage Shakur enthusiastically took advantage of all the possibilities art school offered him, thriving across the various disciplines. And it was a legacy that would carry fourth in his own work. His art training eventually led him to mainstream musical success, and of course, he soon became one of the industry’s most admired figures.
#2: Tom Holland
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He impressed everyone with his jaw dropping performance on "Lip Sync Battle," but that wasn't the first time Tom Holland cut a rug. One of the "Spider-Man" actor's first professional credits was playing the title character in the West End production of "Billy Elliot." Based on the 2000 film starring Jamie Bell about a young boy who has a deep passion for ballet, the role required an actor who could handle the challenging choreography. Holland was perfect for the part, as he’d prepared himself by securing a solid foundation in various dance styles. Although he's since traded pirouettes for web-slinging, we’ll get to see his moves soon enough, as he's slated to play the late great Fred Astaire in an upcoming biopic. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Jean-Claude Van Damme Before He Was Kicking Butt, He Was Tearing up the Floorboards Studying Ballet Catherine Zeta-Jones This Oscar Winner Has an Impressive Dance Background Anya Taylor-Joy This Rising Star Was a Ballerina Back in the Day Jennifer Garner This “13 Going on 30” Star Mastered Ballet in Her Youth Amy Adams Before She Lit up the Silver Screen, This Actress Was a Dancer
#1: Jennifer Lopez
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There's no denying that Jennifer Lopez is an outstanding triple threat. She can move like no one else, and it's all due to years of hard work and persistence. Born in New York City, Lopez started her dance education when she was just 5 years old, and continued throughout her teens. Much to her family's dismay, she ultimately walked away from school, opting to focus on her energy on her craft. Her ambition paid off when she began working with artists like MC Hammer and New Kids on the Block. Most importantly, she was hired as a Fly Girl for "In Living Color," and soon enough, she became the star she was always meant to be.
