magic dancers

Josh Cohen

ORLANDO –   Getting an invitation to NBA All-Star Weekend – whether it’s for the Rising Stars Challenge, any of the Saturday night events or Sunday’s primetime game – is a major accomplishment for any NBA player.
 

What you may not be aware of is that players and coaches aren’t the only ones to earn a trip to All-Star Weekend to be part of the show. And getting that call is just as exhilarating as it is for the players and the experience is equally fulfilling.
 

This season, one of the Orlando Magic’s dancers will be joining in on the All-Star fun. Nicole F., who has been a Magic Dancer since 2012 and is a team leader on this year’s squad, was selected to be part of the 2017 NBA All-Star Dance Team.
 

“When I found out I had the opportunity to represent the Orlando Magic at NBA All-Star Weekend, I was more than excited,” Nicole said.  “I feel so blessed and honored to represent our organization, my teammates and coaches. It feels amazing to have so much support from them. I can't wait.”
 

This will be Nicole’s first time performing at All-Star Weekend. Some of her current and former teammates who have attended All-Star festivities in the past have been giving her plenty of advice and encouragement. Fellow Magic Dancer team leader Victoria R., for instance, attended last year’s All-Star Weekend in Toronto and has helped Nicole prepare for what’s ahead.
 

“Her advice has been to enjoy every moment, the fellow dancers are great girls, and to have fun,” Nicole said. “My teammates and coaches even put together a gift basket for survival of All-Star week. They are truly the best teammates and support system.”
 

“With my experience last year in Toronto, the only advice I would give to her is to just take in the experience because it's a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Victoria said. “She is already an extremely talented and fierce dancer, so she definitely won't have a hard time killing it on the court; and she's extremely professional and hard working.”

“I know she will represent Orlando and the Orlando Magic organization well,” she added.

Nicole has an extensive and extraordinary dancing resume. She’s performed at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, been a backup dancer for Melissa Gorga from “Real Housewives of New Jersey” at Orlando’s Red Hot ‘n’ Boom and back up danced for many artists signed under Johnny Wright (most known for artists such as NYSNC, Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys). She also has been a professional dancer on the hit Telemundo TV show “Yo Soy El Artista” with artists like Luis Fonsi, Lucero and Olga Tanon.
 

Nicole has represented her favorite team throughout the world since becoming a Magic Dancer. She’s traveled to Brazil, Colombia and the Dominican Republic and has met countless NBA fans. She expects her time in New Orleans to be very similar.
 

“The fans are so dedicated to whatever team it is they support,” she said. “It's so much fun to be a part of and truly an honor to experience.”
 

Aside from learning some new dance routines, Nicole is looking forward to meeting and bonding with her All-Star teammates.
 

“I am ecstatic to be able to meet fellow dancers of the NBA and to be able to dance with them,” she said. “I'm excited to be a part of a group of women who all share the same passion.”

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Magic Dancer Nicole Excited to Represent Magic at NBA All-Star Weekend

ORLANDO -- It’s been a little over four weeks since 2016-17 Orlando Magic Dancer final auditions took place. Since then, the 20 selected for this season’s squad have been hard at work and having a blast.

In fact, a few have already taken part in some ‘global’ fun. Last week, several of the dancers attended an NBA grassroots program in the Dominican Republic to help celebrate and grow the game of basketball. They performed dance routines, taught their passion to kids at a clinic, signed autographs, took pictures with fans and joined in on other interactive activities.

“The experience was so much fun,” said Kori, who starts her fifth season as a Magic Dancer. “We danced, they went crazy for us. We felt very welcomed. I love the Latin culture so being able to meet the people in their environment was awesome.”

“We enjoyed the different demographic of fans there,” said Victoria R., an eight-year team veteran. “They showed so much love to us. They were extremely supportive.”

On Saturday, the entire team was back at it. Except this time, it was to ‘say cheese.’ With Michael Cairns, an Orlando-based photographer, behind the lens the dancers posed for costume portraits. Stylists from Stella Luca Salon and artists from MAC Cosmetics took care of hair and makeup.

While the veterans are experienced with the process, rookies like Olivia had to do some research before deciding what poses work best for them.

“At first it’s a little nerve-wracking but definitely once you get a few poses in, it gets a lot easier,” she said. “All of us rookies have spent the last hour watching and trying to emulate what the vets are doing because they do it so elegantly and we are definitely trying to replicate that.”

Zuli, another rookie who previously was a dancer for the Orlando Predators, points out that it’s important to be observant and take notes.

“I went online and I mainly looked up the Magic Dancers from the previous years and looked at their poses,” she said. “Watching them (vets) and seeing what they were doing gave me an idea of what I can do.”

Photos from Saturday will be seen on local billboards, in television ads and in other promotional campaigns throughout the season. Between poses, the dancers recorded their bio interviews. These videos will be aired on the jumbotron during Magic games at Amway Center and will be posted on OrlandoMagic.com.

Between practicing and performing at games, the Magic Dancers spend much of their time in the community. Most say that assisting underprivileged children and families is a huge reason why they audition in the first place.

“The community experience is one of my favorite things,” Kori said. “It’s great to make their day and get more familiar with fans. It’s so awesome.”

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Orlando Magic Dancers Off to Action-Packed Start in 2016-17

NASSAU, Bahamas – Regardless of the outcome, each of the 28 finalists vying for 20 spots on the 2015-16 Orlando Magic dance team got all they could ask for during auditions.

Thanks to the Baha Mar Casino and Hotel, they got a free trip to the Bahamas.

They all got a chance to meet several revered figures in the Bahamas and learn about the history and culture of this picturesque island.

And thanks to the outstanding work from photographer Michael Cairns, hair stylists from Stella Luca Salon and makeup artists from MAC Cosmetics, each finalist posed for professional swimwear portraits along the beach outside Baha Mar.

The finalists performed on stage at the Baha Mar Convention Arts & Entertainment Center in front of a jam-packed, in-person audience and for thousands watching live on OrlandoMagic.com.

And most importantly, they all got a chance to bond with one another and share laughs that will last a lifetime.

While it was a difficult proposition for the judges, only 20 could be selected for the squad. And while disappointing for those that didn’t hear their names called at the end, this experience was undeniably worth the attempt.

For 15 dancers, a dream will be relived. Alex, Bethany, Brittany, Cassie, Elyse, Gizelle, Jamie, Kori, Krystle, Lauren, Lily, Nicole F., Rachel, Victoria Q. and Victoria R. will rejoin the team and add to their growing collection of amazing experiences as a Magic Dancer.

“Hearing my name called was definitely a relief and the best feeling,” said Gizelle, a now four-year Magic Dancer veteran. “I’m looking forward to being on the court again with the girls and getting to perform and doing what I love best in the community.”

“It’s a dream come true to be on the team for a fourth season,” Elyse said. “Everyone here (Baha Mar) has been so kind to us. Everything was perfect. It’s been amazing.”

For the remaining five dancers, this is all just the beginning of a dream come true. Cierra, Kiki, Nicole H., Molleigh and Sarah will now have the opportunity to experience all the wonderful things that come with being a part of the Magic organization. That includes entertaining fans at Amway Center during Magic games, spending invaluable time in the community and growing friendships with their new teammates.

“Words can’t explain it,” an emotional Cierra said. “We have already formed a great bond over the last two weeks together and I'm looking forward to continuing that with the girls. It was an incredible experience here in the Bahamas.”

2015-16 Orlando Magic Dancer Audition Content

Magic Dancer Costume PortraitsSwimwear Behind the Scenes PhotosFinalists Welcomed at Baha MarI Want To Be A Magic Dancer Because...Auditions Now Headed for BahamasThree Words to Describe Me...Magic Fans Should Vote For Me Because...Audition Finalists PortraitsDancer Auditions Will Be Extra Special This Year

Replay of Final Auditions From BahamasInterviews with Team MembersInterviews with Finalists in BahamasBehind the Scenes Pre-Audition ClassesPure Magic Pass Winner: KoriPure Magic Pass Winner: Sarah

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2015-16 Orlando Magic Dancers presented by Baha Mar Announced to Conclude Bahamas Trip

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Due to Tropical Storm Nicole, the NBA has announced that the Dallas Mavericks at Orlando Magic game on Wednesday, November 9 will tip-off at 5:30 PM. Amway Center doors open at 4:30 PM.