Miss D does not play. Anybody who has watched her star in the Lifetime Network hit “Bring It” over the past few seasons knows this to be true of the dance troupe leader.
“I’m a coach and I’m passionate” said Miss D, also known as Dianna Williams. “Just like any other coach – whether it’s little league sports or something like that – I want my girls to give their all…and to win.”
She uses dance as a platform to get her team in the habit of exhibiting excellence and hopes that the show inspires other young people to do the same.
When the show debuted in 2014, audiences instantly connected with Williams and her Dancing Dolls of Jackson, Mississippi. An unlikely place for reality shows, young dancers and dance moms saw themselves in the personalities on the show.
“Bring It” was a breath of fresh air that stood out against the several franchises of reality programming that perpetuated negative stereotypes of black women. “Bring It” gave a platform to a woman using her background in dance to sow into the lives of young girls in her community. Sure the show has its drama, but it’s harmless – and helps push the show’s narrative that reality for black women also includes shaping the lives of young girls in the community.
Miss D and the Dancing Dolls struck such a nerve that they were being asked to visit places all over the world. The unyielding requests spawned the idea to take their show on the road by way of “Bring It Live.” She was all for it.
“Even though you are watching it on television, you don’t get to see it all,” Williams said. “This way you get to see the girls up close and personal and get to be a part of the actual live experience of their performances.”
Last year Williams and the Dancing Dolls came to St. Louis and danced the Peabody Opera House down. They had such a ball that they are coming back on Sunday (July 30).
She wants St. Louis to be ready for them to do what they do best – bring it – for a second time.
“We are giving them a show like they’ve never seen before,” Williams said. “As you’ve seen on the show, the girls give their all.”
It seems like they give even more live. The high kicks, “death drops” and seamless formation the Dancing Dolls inspire even more awes when seen in the flesh.
For Williams, “Bring It” goes beyond dancing. She started the Dancing Dolls 16 years ago to use her love of dance to empower other young women – to build confidence, self-esteem and to become comfortable expecting the best from themselves and others. She is thrilled to be embraced by those who have been doing the same for generations outside of the limelight and happy that others are inspired by what she does on television each week and with “Bring It Live” on stages across the nation.
“This is a movement, and we are happy to be a part of that,” Williams said. “Seeing a trend that includes people who have same passion that we have for dance, our youth, community involvement and uplifting and empowering young African American girls is definitely something we want to stand on.”
Bring It Live will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 30 at The Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market. For more information, visit www.peabodyoperahouse.com or call (314) 499-7600.
