Just six years ago, when Hanna-Lee Sakakibara plunged through the floor of a Jerusalem wedding hall in an infamous disaster that left 23 Israelis dead, it was unclear whether she would ever pirouette again. But next week she will become the first Israeli to appear on the Fox reality show “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Born in Jerusalem to a Japanese father and an Australian mother, Sakakibara was only 16 when the floor of the Versailles wedding hall, where she was working as a dancer, suddenly collapsed. A fellow dancer found Sakakibara, her legs pinned under rubble and her face shattered. Lying in a hospital bed, with metal plates in her face, the Christian Israeli dancer asked for divine intervention. “I just prayed as I lay in that bed,: ‘If you let me get out of this, God, I will pursue dance until the end.’”
She survived and, ever since, has been living up to her end of the bargain.
After high school, Sakakibara moved to New York, where she studied at the famed Alvin Ailey school. Now 22 and done with her studies, Sakakibara is pursuing her professional dance career. She calls the second round of auditions for “So You Think You Can Dance” the most grueling of her life. During the first round of auditions, which were held May 1 in New York, Sakakibara said she was so nervous that she forgot her choreographed moves when it was her to turn to perform.
“I started dancing like a maniac. I can’t remember anything I did.”
But apparently the show’s producers liked what they saw. They were so taken with her moves — and her triumphant story — that they are also set to air a special May 24 segment on the Israeli dancer.
Great Story..Let's hope that Hanna-Lee wins...She is inspirational and deserves much support...
We know Hanna Lee is a star and can't wait to see what the future holds for her.
I'm so thankful for what G-d has done in Hannah's life. This is a great chapter in the amazing story that's yet to be told about Hannah Lee Sakakibara. I'm proud to know her and her family. They are truly Israelis! This story just adds to the many miraculous stories of triumph over tragedy that she and her family have seen written in their 'book of life'.
I love the story of a girl who's determined, at any and all cost, to persue her dream and, with G-d's help, make it a reality. The sky's the limit, Hanna Lee!
Kol HaKavod - Hanna!
Hanna-lee is a remarkably talented dancer, with the intense drive to succeed. She has gotten to where she is by her inner strength. We, here in Israel are proud of all she has achieved.
Go, Hanna, go! All of Israel is on your side! Hope to see you in the finals!!
Hanna Lee is the most beautiful woman inside and out-her dancing is one of her amazing assets. "Yes She Can Dance" is what one says at her magical movements that makes one have goosebumps. Hannah-lee, to all those whom have seen you dance and those whom still haven't encountered that moment, you have won-
We're all so proud of Hanna Lee. Our only disappointment is that "So You Think You Can Dance" isn't broadcast here in Israel so we could see it, too! At least our relatives in the States will be watching and cheering Hanna on!
VICTORY IS TO THE COURAGEOUS. KEEP ON THE GOOD WORK !!!!
Does anyone know where to find the video of this? I know there's one out there.
Here is a video of the wedding hall collapse: http://youtube.com/watch?v=vt__AaFtmIk
What was the song she danced for her life to?
Does Hanna Lee have a web page?
GO HANNA MISs NEW BOOTY lovin you gilr
who's that girl! hanna-lee!!!!!!woehoeeeee
Does anyone know what the song she danced for her life is?
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