Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty; Paras Griffin/Getty
GymnastNia Dennis' recent floor routine has been viewed millions of times (and counting!), but there’s one person the athlete still can’t believe is a fan:Michelle Obama.
Nearly one week aftercompeting with her now-viral floor routine, the UCLA athlete appeared onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show, airing Thursday, where she discussed the inspiration behind her routine and her reaction to the former first lady’s response.
“This routine, I believe, is a reflection of everything that I am as a woman today,” the UCLA senior told DeGeneres. “I picked a lot of really influential artists, Black artists that had a huge impact on the Black community.”
For example, the 21-year-old said she used one of Lamar’s tracks as he is “a huge activist in music.”
“We’re not allowed to use words and sounds in our floor routine so I figured if I wasn’t gonna be able to say it, I wanted to do it in a different way and shine a light on gymnastics,” she continued.
“Now that’s what I call fierce! You’re a star, @DennisNia! ⭐️👏🏽,” theBecomingauthortweetedTuesday.
Speaking to DeGeneres about Obama’s reaction, Dennis said it was “so insane” that the former first lady shared the clip.
“Oh my gosh.Michelle Obama, first of all I love you, I was speechless,” she admitted.
Dennis said she first found out that Obama had responded while at practice with her teammates.
“All my teammates came over to me and we were all cheering and so excited,” she shared.
“Not only did she tweet me, she actually posted the entire video so that means she must have it in her camera roll or something and must watch it in her free time,” Dennis added with a laugh.
Nia Dennis.UCLA Gymnastics Twitter
“Snappin,” wrote Elliott, 49, in areply to the video, adding her own flames emoji.
UCLA Gymnasticstweeted the full videoof Dennis' impressive routine on Sunday, with the caption, “This is what#blackexcellencelooks like.”
As for what’s next for Dennis, the athlete told DeGeneres she hopes to get into “stunt doubling or dancing” after she graduates.
source: people.com
