A GROUP of plus-size dancers in New York prove size is no barrier to being a great dancer. When Akira Armstrong appeared in not one but two Beyonce videos, she thought she had hit the big time. But as a plus-size dancer she struggled to find regular work and, for a few years, even gave up on her dream of becoming a professional dancer. Determined to succeed – and give other fuller-figured women the opportunity to perform - Akira founded Pretty Big Movement, a plus-size dance group who train in New York City and have performed across the globe. Pretty Big Movement is made up of eight core dancers who train together at least twice a week. The troupe also puts on monthly dance workshops in NYC that women of all shapes, sizes and ages can attend – no matter what their dance ability. Most recently Pretty Big Movement has run an apprenticeship scheme for aspiring professional dancers. Together they hope to challenge the stereotypes that you can only be a good dancer if you are a size zero. Akira, who describes Pretty Big Movement as “her baby” founded the group 10 years ago and challenged the assumption that larger-sized women are unable to dance.
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