First she was an Internet sensation, now retired Surrey teacher Shirley Clements is a TV star following her performance on Ellen.
In June, a video of the 60-year-old Clements performing a hip-hop routine with her North Surrey Secondary School dance students to Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk was viewed by millions after it was posted to Ellen DeGeneres’ website.
The routine, which was to be Clements’ final performance with her North Surrey students, was shot in February at the school’s 19th annual Outbreak dance competition in January.
On Wednesday, DeGeneres invited the teacher and her troupe on her show for an encore performance.
Clements, who retired after 25 years teaching, talked about the 12 students she chose to accompany her on Ellen.
“Originally there were 40 kids in the video and I had to break it down to 12. So I thought to myself, (who) are the kids who worked the hardest … the very hardest for me? They are my love and they are part of my heart. They work their butts off and they show me love and respect. They are the nicest kids on the planet. I couldn’t ask for more wonderful kids to be here today.”
DeGeneres later presented Clements with a $10,000 cheque from Shutterfly to put towards a new dance studio at North Surrey Secondary.
Filed under: Now, STAFF Tagged: and Media, Arts, Bruno Mars, Competitive Dance, dance, Ellen DeGeneres, entertainment, Performing Arts, Shirley Clements, Surrey, Surrey Secondary School, Talk Shows, television
