Denise Sides, who runs Dens Dance Studio and teaches weekly classes at Wrexham Railway Club, was selected from hundreds of dancers for a secretive shoot in London for Swift’s new release, Opalite, from The Life of a Showgirl album.
“I couldn’t believe it was amazing,” Denise said. “Just… me? Why are you choosing me? I still feel excited now.”
A hush-hush casting process
Denise, who has been dancing for more than 60 years, first heard about the opportunity through an agency she is signed to for television extra work.
“They said they were looking for senior dancers for a music shoot, but it was all hush, hush,” she explained. “We had to send photographs of my dresses and a video of me dancing. Then you go through the elimination process.”
At first, she was told she had made a shortlist. Then came the call confirming she had been “specially chosen”.
Transport was arranged discreetly, with a taxi laid on from her hotel to prevent the filming location becoming public knowledge.
“We didn’t know who it was for at all,” she said. “It was supposed to be like a dancing competition in this big old social club in London with ballrooms. Then this young girl walks in, all dressed up, and she comes over and says, ‘Hi, I’m Taylor.’”
“I was like, no way. Oh my God.”
Meeting Taylor
Denise said the star immediately put everyone at ease, thanking the dancers for coming and explaining what she wanted from the scene.
“She was singing, dancing and directing it as well,” Denise said. “She knew exactly what she wanted. She’d say, ‘Try this, try that,’ and she was really nice about it. Some can be a bit abrupt but she wasn’t. She was lovely and so talented.”
Swift even took time to compliment Denise’s royal blue ballroom skirt which she has owned since turning professional in 1988.
“She came to me and said, ‘I love your dress. It really fits the set.’ Then she said she wanted me to look bored and fed up, like I didn’t want to be there,” Denise laughed. “I said, ‘Oh, I can do that easy!’”
After filming, Swift offered photos to some of the dancers.
“I told her my son and grandson are fans, the whole family love her music,” Denise said. “She said, ‘That’s what I want. I want to appeal to everybody.’”
When she watched the finished video for the first time, she admitted it came as a shock.
“You just can’t believe it’s you.”
Filming took place in November, but Denise had to keep the project secret until its release last week.
“That was hard,” she said. “I only told a few people in my dance class and my family. My grandson’s at university studying filmmaking, so he knew how it all worked. He’s telling everyone at Uni now!”
Six decades of dancing
Denise began dancing as a child and has never stopped. She competed as a teenager, later turning professional and running her own dance school since the 1990s.
“That’s my happy place, my passion,” she said. “If I’m not teaching, I’m dancing myself.”
She teaches Strictly-style ballroom, wedding dances, beginners’ classes and more advanced sessions, keeping numbers small to maintain what she describes as a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
“I like it technically correct,” she said. “But I’m not into regimental teaching. It’s a friendly night to meet people. It’s a good hobby to do with your partner or even a friend.”
Her weekly sessions run every Tuesday at Wrexham Railway Club, with a 7pm main class followed by an 8pm absolute beginners’ session.
Denise has also hosted inclusive workshops for young people with disabilities, she hopes the video appearance might inspire new faces to try dancing.
“I’m trying to get a new class going,” she said. “Maybe people will think, ‘Well, if Taylor chose her, why don’t we?’”
From Wrexham to London
Although she has previously filmed in Manchester and the North West (including ballroom scenes for television dramas) Denise said travelling to London for such a high-profile project felt different.
“You’ve been filming up north and you know your way around,” she said. “But going down south, it’s different territory. I was a bit nervous at first. But I’m so glad I went.”
With more than 20 years of background acting experience and several other productions under her belt, Denise describes the Swift shoot as the most important of her career.
“I’ve done quite a few things,” she said. “But she has been the most important person I’ve done work for.”
And at 71, she hopes her experience sends a message.
“You’re never too old,” she said. “I’ve been dancing over 60 years and I’m still going.”
“It was an experience I will never, ever forget.”
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.leaderlive.co.uk ’
