Dancing is in Bobbi Eveleens’ blood. 17-year-old Osse is so good that she can participate in the largest international hip-hop dance event in the world on March 7: Juste Debout. She also sets the bar high for herself after the competition in Paris. “I want to perform with the most famous artists later.”
Bobbi was only two years old when she put on her first leotard. About five years later she chose hip-hop, becoming world champion at the age of 10 together with Senna Wijnbergen. With hip hop, but also with the style lockingshe continued to participate in the world top in the years that followed. One of the highlights of her career is qualifying for the Juste Debout world final on March 7 and 8 in Paris. With her partner Daley Monte (18), she recently won the preliminary round in the Romanian capital Bucharest.
“The fact that we can be in such a grand final is very cool. We are dancing in a basketball stadium and it will be completely packed with an audience,” says the Osse student. “A total of sixteen duos compete against each other in a knockout system. The draw has not yet been announced, but we want to reach the top eight anyway. And of course we prefer to go for the win.”
Cheerful dance style
Locking is a dance form with fast movements in which the dancer occasionally ‘freezes’. “It is a very cheerful dance style and there is interaction with the audience. You often see it at shows and on television.”
The competition, in which rounds last one minute each, partly relies on improvisation. “It’s freestyle, so you do what comes to mind. But there are also pieces that you have thought up in advance together with your partner. With that combination you have to try to convince the jury.”
Success does not come easy to her. Bobbi is busy with her sport almost every day. In addition to competitions abroad, she trains at least four days a week in Rotterdam or Amsterdam. “Condition is very important during training. You often have to dance several rounds of one minute, so weakening is not an option. I also work at locking for example, new techniques or tricks. My trainers are known worldwide and always know how to inspire me.”
The final in Paris is her main goal in the short term. Bobbi is also ambitious for the future. “I would ideally like to go to America when I complete my school in 2027. That’s where I want to go for my dream: performing with artists and traveling around the world. Actually, all the auditions are in America, so that’s where I have to be. Who do I most want to dance with? Beyoncé, Bruno Mars or Rihanna, it doesn’t matter to me.”
