Belizean Dances on Superbowl Stage with Kendrick Lamar

A Belizean dancer took the stage at the Superbowl yesterday! On Sunday night, tens of millions of people worldwide tuned in to watch one of the most highly anticipated sporting events in the United States. This year’s halftime show, featuring musical guest Kendrick Lamar, was a major highlight. Among his dancers was eighteen-year-old Adia Viltz, a Belizean American university student. News Five’s Britney Gordon spoke with her today about this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Eighteen-year-old Adia Viltz couldn’t have imagined she’d be dancing on one of the world’s biggest stages. But everything changed when her school sent out an email, urging students to try out for a spot as one of Kendrick Lamar’s backup dancers at the Super Bowl halftime show.

 

Adia Viltz, Belizean Superbowl Dancer

“So we were there for about two weeks doing practice at an off-site location from the stadium. And it was really confidential. We found out about different stuff in bits and pieces, really. But I’d say the week before is when we found out all the information. And everyone was so nice. And we all just were very excited because we all were Kendrick fans. And we were really looking forward to this big opportunity.”

 

Adia, a filmmaking student at Loyola University in New Orleans, grew up in Belize, attending Belize Elementary School and Belize Christian Academy. She stepped onto the circle stage as one of the dancers, dressed head-to-toe in sleek black.

 

Adia Viltz

“Yeah, at first I thought I was going to be really nervous because the minute we went into the stadium, it was a bunch of people. Which I’ve never been in an environment like that before, but I honestly was, I was really hyped and super excited and just being there and having all the fans yell and scream and feel, bring up the energy and feel as excited as we were in that moment. It was really awesome and so surreal.”

Even though she didn’t get to meet them face-to-face, Adia says one of the best parts of the night was the brief moments she shared with Kendrick Lamar and SZA. They made sure to show their appreciation for all the dancers’ hard work.

 

Adia Viltz

“The most fun part was learning all the hidden meanings and secrets in the Super Bowl the day before. That was really cool. And just like hearing Kendrick Lamar encourage us and say thank you for being a part of the show. And just, he acknowledged how hard we were working. That was the highlight of my entire year. I was so excited. I did have a small moment with SZA though, because we had just finished. And I was standing waiting for the next move and she literally came right next to me and everyone that was around me, we all were waving hi and screaming and she saw us and she waved hi and she did like this.”

 

Adia shares that her mom, who has always been her biggest supporter, pushed her to go for it and apply, even though Adia had doubts.

 

Adia Viltz

“ I really hope everyone was inspired by this because before I didn’t think that I would get a really big opportunity like this. It felt so surreal in my mind and insane to imagine. But despite that, I still did my best and I tried my best and I still applied. And because of that, I feel I was able to do that really big event. So I would just say for everyone watching that they should go after their dreams, no matter what. And even if someone’s impossible or, Oh, you should do something else. Don’t listen to them, listen to your heart and do what you want to do.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.