Hip-hop dancers appeal to US world championship tour

The Blings are best friends who bonded out of a love of dance.

The girls spent years perfecting their hip-hop and now they would be on the cusp of hitting the big screen, after qualifying to compete on the world stage.

“We used to be called the Mini Blings, but then we got too old, so now we had to be called the Blings,” Stevie said.

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Giselle, Stevie and Chloe are three of the Blings.

The girls say it takes more than just talent to be a strong hip-hop crew.

“The competition is tough and we have to train really hard,” said Stevie.

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It’s also about the costumes.

“The costumes represent our personality, like mine is a steam train, because that’s my nickname… Steam Train,” Stevie said.

“My dad, he took our pants off…they have graffiti on the leg and it says ‘blings’ on it,” Chloe said.

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And it’s also about the faces.

“You have to match your face to the beat and the music,” Giselle said.

But the Blings say each other is their greatest weapon.

“We’re all just great, you know, and that put together… it’s just on another level,” Stevie said.

So, with the help of their dance teacher Miss Cass, the girls decided to put their skills to the test and take part this year in a competition called Hip Hop International.

“It’s the first time we’ve entered it and we were a little nervous because it’s the biggest selection competition in Australia,” Cass said.

They were eliminated in Sydney qualifiers but they didn’t give up and tried their luck again in Canberra.

“We just thought we’d do our best and see what happens, and yes, and then the girls there qualified for the national championships, so we went to Queensland,” Cass said.

“They’ve worked really hard and they have a place to go to America, so yeah, they really want to go to Australia to represent Australia.”

The Blings are one of five Australian junior class teams to qualify for the World Championships, but the dream won’t come true without sponsors to help them get there.

“My stomach really caved in when I found out we could go because I was like, ‘oh no,’ because they’re going to be so disappointed because we just can’t get them there,” Cass said.

It will cost at least $60,000 to get the Blings to Arizona in August and parents are not included.

“It’s also a big demand in such a short time. I still don’t think we’ve got our head around it,” Josie said.

I spoke to dance moms Josie, Natalie and Jemma.

“We’ve all seen the TV shows, you know” Toddlers and diadems with the crazy dance moms. Is that you?” I asked.

“I think we’re the most relaxed kind of dance mom you can get and we just help each other, lean on each other and it’s not like that,” Jemma said.

And it will take a village to get their girls to the Olympics of hip-hop.

“Even if we all worked 24 hours a day, we’re still not going to make it, so we need help,” Jemma said.

“It’s their last year dancing together, they have different age groups, so starting next year they have to split up and it’s a really unique opportunity for them,” said Josie.

Joel Gallarde of Hip Hop International Australia said it’s a big problem.

“World Championships, there will be more than 4000 dancers from all over the world,” Gallarde said.

“There is a cash prize, but I think the final prize is just street cred.”

It’s a thought that makes Cass cry.

“It makes me cry…I just don’t know…I just love my kids very much,” Cass said.

“I’d be so happy if we could get to America,” Chloe said.