Dance Prodigy Asia Monet Ray: A Curly Cutie and Mini Beyoncé

If you haven’t heard of Asia Monet Ray, allow me to introduce to you the next super diva pop star that is destined to take the world by storm. Asia was born in 2005, and is the daughter of former professional bodybuilders and fitness competitors, Shawn and Kristie Ray. Though Asia began dancing at the age of 2, she busted her way into the spotlight on season one of the children’s dance competition show in 2012, Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition. Each week, she faced off in a head to head challenges with her much older and more experienced competitors. She also performed for a judging panel of the highly esteemed leaders in the world of dance; Ritchie Jackson, who has choreographed for artist’s such as Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Brandy, and Lady GaGa, Robin Antin, founder of the Pussycat Dolls burlesque troupe, and of course, the infamous Abby Lee Miller, whose dance studio has been churning out prima ballerinas and Broadway superstars for almost three decades. At age 6, Asia was the youngest amongst all the contestants, but she proved to audiences and the judges that she was a fierce competitor and that age was merely a number, when you have raw talent, determination, focus, heart, and a lil bit of swag. Though she did not take home the grand prize, placing in third amongst the 14 total contestants, it was always evident that this little girl is a force to be reckoned with every time she took the stage.

Her elimination was merely the beginning of this petite powerhouse’s climb to success. She was invited to join Abby Lee’s competition dance team, the ALDC Junior Elite Team, and danced an undefeated season of solos, all of which were captured on the hit Lifetime TV show, Dance Moms. Now revered by the world as “the next Beyoncé”, Asia’s progressive rise to the top is currently being documented on her own primetime reality TV show, Raising Asia. The show provides a unique glimpse at the making of a triple threat performer, while also profiling her family dynamic, as her career continues to blossom. There is no denying that inside the body of this tiny little girl is a fearless performance beast. Check out some of her dances below, and I’m sure you will agree that Asia Monet Ray is a mini Beyoncé, and when she dances, that girl don’t play!

And don’t forget to catch Asia every Tuesday night at 10/9c, only on Lifetime!

*Sources: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8