UCLA star studded gymnast Nia Dennis became a sensation in our eyes for her Beyoncé and Homecoming floor routine in 2020. The senior is going viral again for her new routine for the 2021 season, and her performance at the Bruins’ first competition (and win!) of the year against the Arizona State Sun Devils on January 23rd. Dennis almost received a perfect score, earning a 9.95 for her first competition.
Dennis opened the competition with a high-flying double backflip while having Kendrick Lamar’s number one hit song “Humble” was bumping in the background. The young sensation also incorporated the Black Power salute in her choreography to make a statement.
.@DennisNia showing off with her floor routine 🤩 @espnW
(via @uclagymnastics)https://t.co/xMhJ0Tzw0b
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 24, 2021
Before the competition started, UCLA and Arizona State kneeled around the floor in what the Bruins called a “circle of unity” to show their support for social-justice efforts.
Dennis said in a press conference after the competition that her routine represents her personality, which is why she chose to have a “dance party,” as she described it, while also incorporating her culture as a Black woman. She’s seen stepping in one corner of the floor; this, she noted, is a tribute to her father, who was part of Greek life in college. “He was in fraternities, and stepping is really big,” she said.
