Kiwi kids can live their dreams

We want Kiwi kids to know that we can achieve anything in the world . . . life is what you make of it, so make it the life you’ve dreamed of. Kiwi hip-hop crew Request’s leader Parris Goebel

KIWI hip-hop crew Request have danced their way to stardom.

This week, the nine-strong allgirl dance troupe from Auckland starred in the American Idol final alongside Jennifer Lopez – a performance watched by a 40-million strong TV audience in America alone.

Request have shown that with a lot of hard work – and a sprinkle of luck and good timing – Kiwi kids can succeed on the world’s biggest stages.

As she celebrates her group’s global success, leader Parris Goebel hopes Request’s achievements will inspire our nation’s youth.

Speaking to Sunday News from Los Angeles on Friday night via her dad and manager Brett, she said: ‘‘We want Kiwi kids to know that we can achieve anything in the world . . . life is what you make of it, so make it the life you’ve dreamed of.’’

The seeds of Request’s success were sown at Palace Dance Studio, based in the Auckland suburb of Penrose.

The studio’s rules state it is a ‘‘supportive, smoke-free, alcoholfree, no swearing, no arrogance and a friendly environment’’.

Hard work is demanded from those who enter its doors.

And in the case of Request, that hard work has been rewarded with international TV exposure dancing with American Idol judge and charttopper Lopez.

Request will now team up with Lopez for two days in LA next week as back-up dancers for her new single, Goin’ In.

Further stardom awaits, with Parris and six of her crew members being signed for Cirque Du Soleil’s latest tribute show to Michael Jackson.

The girls’ success is one that all New Zealanders should celebrate. It is also one which hopefully will encourage a whole new generation of young Kiwis to live their dreams.