Lana Turner was discovered at a soda fountain, Marilyn Monroe at a munitions plant and Kate Moss at an airport.
And Eva Igo?
“They saw me on YouTube,” says the 14-year-old dancer from Inver Grove Heights. “I was invited to audition through direct message on Instagram.”
Not as catchy as a soda fountain on Sunset Boulevard, but it’s still exciting for this rising star, who is one of three local contestants on NBC’s and Jennifer Lopez’s upcoming dance competition series “World of Dance.” The 10-episode series debuts Tuesday, May 30.
“It was the coolest thing ever,” Eva says. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and so I’m lucky I got to do it.”
The series gives dancers of all ages and styles, both individuals and teams, a chance to win a prize of $1 million. The dancers are judged by Lopez (an executive producer), Derek Hough (an alum of “Dancing with the Stars”) and entertainer Ne-Yo. The show is hosted by dancer Jenna Dewan Tatum, who also serves as a mentor to the contestants.
Eva is a contemporary dancer in the junior category. She is a dancer from the Larkin Dance Studio and secured regional titles by age 7 and national titles by age 11.
The other Minnesota connection is Al Taw’am, a twin sister hip-hop duo from Minneapolis. According to the show, “Iman and Khadijah are self-taught, professional dancers who fine-tuned their skills in their home studio. Devoted to their Muslim faith, these twins never step on the stage without their hijabs.”
FYI
What: “World of Dance,” a dance competition TV series
When: The 10-episode series debuts at 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, on NBC