SHIVA PLANS TO USE POWER OF DANCE
DANCER Shiva Raichandani hopes starring on Britain’s Got Talent will help to heal a family rift.
He wowed the judges when he joined The London School of Bollywood on stage during last night’s show.
But his cross-dressing has caused tensions with loved ones back home in Indonesia.
Shiva told the Daily Star Sunday: “Most of my family are very supportive about my dancing.
“I hope the ones who aren’t supportive will see me on Britain’s Got Talent and change their minds. “Even if that doesn’t happen I’m sure it will start a dialogue which is necessary.”
In Indonesia bigoted views around sexuality and sex changes are rife and there is widespread disapproval ED GLEAVE of cross-dressing. Shiva moved to the UK because he regularly suffered taunts over his love for dressing up and performing.
He said: “It was hard. The background I grew up in, it’s very rigid. “You’re put in a box and if you’re a guy then you’re only supposed to perform a certain way.
“Being allowed to come out of that shell and be me is liberating. It was different in Indonesia.
“There weren’t many opportunities to perform in a way where I could creatively express myself.
“If I performed like this back home the reaction would be unkind.
“I have had people be unkind many times. But it hasn’t stopped me performing such an act. And now the platform of BGT encourages people from anywhere. “The diversity that London offers means we are able to bring such a performance.
“In London there is cultural diversity and acceptance.
“It’s easier here. Creative expression is allowed.”
Shiva is hoping his act will help to promote diversity on BGT.
He added: “The aim of our act is for anyone from any background or identity to create expression. “The fact that I am able to do that as a man wearing a skirt speaks for itself. We believe anyone and everyone can express their gender in a unique way. This is one of the ways.”