Oxygen Media dances to the beat of its own drum with the uplifting, inspiring and humorous new docu-series “The Prancing Elites Project” premiering Wednesday, April 22nd at 10PM ET/PT. This African American, gay and gender non-conforming dance team comprised of Adrian Clemons, Kentrell Collins, Kareem Davis, Jerel Maddox and Timothy Smith is challenging societal norms while overcoming several obstacles with passion and wit on their journey to be their authentic selves. The series delves into the personal lives of these five best friends in Mobile, Alabama as they fight to be accepted in the female-dominated dance culture of J-Setting.
“The Prancing Elites’ positive perseverance through life’s countless hurdles and rejections will tug at the heartstrings of Oxygen’s young, open-minded and diverse audience,” said Rod Aissa, Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Development, Oxygen Media. “With vibrant personalities, an abundance of humor and even more determination, this authentic group holds true to themselves and never stops celebrating who they are.”
Currently excluded from competitions and banned from participating in several hometown and national parades, The Prancing Elites seek other ways to showcase their talent from dancing in the stands at college football games to performing on a boat cruise. Despite professional rejections, family disapproval and tensions, personal health crises and heartbreak, the group won’t let anything stand in their way as they continue to lift one another up and band together in the face of adversity. Hoping to build a name for themselves outside the walls of Mobile, this dream team is determined to see their name in lights and go wherever the music takes them.
MEET THE PRANCING ELITES:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/peadrianc
Instagram: www.instagram.com/peadrianc
Sharp and extremely driven, Adrian Clemons is a classically trained dancer who was born to move. His dedication to dance began shortly after he could walk and continues to this day. His natural skills and experienced technique led to an invitation to join the world-renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. However, Adrian decided to turn this opportunity down to pursue his dream of becoming a dancer on his own terms. Even with his “all-in” attitude and extremely likeable personality, Adrian can sometimes be misconstrued as the “ditz” within the group. He is honest and savvy enough to want the world on a silver platter but also naïve enough to believe no one will care when he steps out in hot pink lipstick and fabulous false eyelashes. As Adrian tries to make it as a professional dancer, he fights the hardest to be accepted by an unsupportive family. Despite his family’s lack of approval, he believes The Prancing Elites will open doors for him that would have never been opened otherwise. His dreams reach beyond dance stardom to high-fashion runways and even as far as the silver screen. Adrian has faith in himself and his talent and won’t let anything stand in the way of making it to the top.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/pekentrell
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pekentrell
As captain and founder of The Prancing Elites, Kentrell Collins knows the biggest dreams sometimes take the most resilience, and he is determined to see the team rise above the clutches of Mobile, Alabama, and take on the world. Kentrell discovered his love of dancing in high school and has never looked back. His passion has evolved from practicing alone in his bathroom, embarrassed by who he was, to openly devoting every waking moment of his life to the craft and growth of his team. The natural leader among the group, Kentrell bases his coaching style on his time in the U.S. Army when he was stationed in Germany. This diligent approach to leadership can create friction on the team as he often struggles to find a balance between being a strong captain and a compassionate one. He believes in earning the team’s trust rather than demanding it, but the other Elites question his authoritative ways. Kentrell also functions as the team’s seamstress and hand designs every costume for the group. Unapologetic about who he is, Kentrell doesn’t let anyone tell him or his teammates that they can’t live life exactly how they want to.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/pekareem
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pekareem
Kareem Davis is the newest member of The Prancing Elites. In high school, he played on the baseball, football and basketball teams, but has since traded in his jerseys for a dance leotard. He loves to twerk and is the team member that brings the most hip-hop vibe to the dance floor. He has always been fiercely independent in all aspects of his life, so joining the group has given him the sense of family he was missing. Typically known for his quiet personality, Kareem is not afraid to speak up when he has something to say, and he dreams of a life with no boundaries in which he can take his passion for dance to the next level. Kareem devotes his heart and soul to the Elites because he wants to become a role model for other people and encourage them to break boundaries and live their lives fully and openly.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/pejerel
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pejerel
Pint-sized and sassy, Jerel Maddox dances with a fighter’s spirit because he learned that being tough is necessary to survive. Growing up, he struggled to be accepted by those closest to him, but his troubled youth taught him to never be ashamed of who he was. Dancing is Jerel’s escape from the troubles of everyday life. Prior to joining The Prancing Elites, he was captain of his own dance team, but he will now defend the troupe with every bone in his fabulous body as he believes they can create real change in the world. Unafraid to speak his mind, Jerel is always pushing the group to go bigger, be bolder, and reach farther than the rest think possible because he believes that they have a deeper message to share than just dance.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/petimothys
Instagram: www.instagram.com/petimothys
Tim Smith is the peacemaker of the group. She loves each of the members dearly, but often finds herself in the middle of the drama. The dance floor is Tim’s safe haven where she truly comes into her own when the beat drops. Although she believes she is a shy person, Tim can create many personal problems within the group, as she sometimes has a flair for the dramatic. Tim’s ultimate dream is to create a safe environment to have a family of her own. Tim is riding the delicate balance of her current relationship and her commitment to The Prancing Elites with the hope that one day, she can have it all.
For more of “The Prancing Elites Project,” fans can visit the official show site to see exclusive videos, dance footage, GIFs, photos, interactive polls, interviews and bios. Viewers can also create and share memes after each episode. Check out the official Facebook page, and join the conversation on Twitter or Instagram using hashtag #PrancingElites.
“The Prancing Elites Project” is produced by Crazy Legs Productions with Tom Cappello and Alana Goldstein serving as Executive Producers.
