Amanda LaCount: A Dancer Challenging The Body Standards Of The Industry and Championing Body Positivity
Even before meeting Amanda LaCount, I felt like I already knew her. As a dancer myself, I’ve witnessed her climb the ranks, from competition kid to industry newcomer to seasoned pro. From her performance to The Greatest Showman hit “This Is Me” on The Ellen Show, to her feature in Katy Perry’s “Swish Swish” music video, to her performance in Rihanna’s “Savage x Fenty” show, Amanda has gotten to work with some of the most famous names in the industry. Her Instagram feed is flooded with videos from dance classes, hitting every beat with a confidence that radiates through my phone screen. Amanda is making bold moves not only on the dance floor but on social media, using her online presence as a platform for promoting body positivity in the dance world and beyond.
Many people may know Amanda from Season 15 of America’s Got Talent, where she was able to show her dance moves on a national stage. Despite making it past the first round of auditions, some judges did not love her act. 30 seconds into Amanda’s performance, judge Heidi Klum hit her red buzzer, leading some to accuse Heidi of body-shaming. Amanda explains that she wasn’t even given the opportunity to perform in the next round due to the backlash Heidi was receiving. “The Heidi situation wasn't ideal, but I went there willingly. I knew there was a possibility that they wouldn't like me,” she recounts. “Even though it kind of soured the experience a bit, I wouldn't change anything.”
This experience on American’s Got Talent was not the first time that Amanda received criticism for her body in the dance industry. Growing up, Amanda was never concerned with her differences, happily flaunting a kids medium with no cares in the world. It wasn’t until she was 11 years old when she noticed a problem with body inclusivity in dance. At the time, Amanda was living in Colorado, finishing up her first season at a prestigious competition studio when she was approached by her director. He decided to kick her off the team, his excuse being Amanda’s body type, claiming it didn’t fit his vision. “This was a big wake-up call for me. Growing up we're so innocent. We’re such happy and free kids” she reflects. “As you get older, you start to realize all these things that you're supposed to hate about yourself. If you don't look this certain way, then you're wrong and you need to change it to please other people.”
“For me, dance has always been about entertaining and how you make someone feel. It's not about what you look like.”
The initial shock from being kicked off turned into an eagerness to break the boundaries of the traditional dancer image. Amanda brushed her director’s comments aside, not letting it crush her dreams of becoming a professional. She pushed on, and in 2015 moved to Los Angeles and signed with Bloc Talent Agency. She was a full-time student in public high school while attending auditions and training at Millennium Dance Complex, Playground LA, and The Edge. She earned spots dancing with Lizzo at Coachella, Meghan Trainor at the Radio Disney Music Awards, and Disney's Descendants 2 cast on Dancing With The Stars, all while challenging an industry dominated by tall, thin dancers. “Casting directors and choreographers need to realize that representation is really important,” she says. “It's crucial to making the world a more accepting and loving place.”
With every opportunity she gets, Amanda is breaking the “dancer body” stereotype in her own way, creating a movement which she aptly named #breakingthestereotype. “It's honestly not that exciting of a story,” Amanda recalls when asked about how the idea for the hashtag came about. She was in the car as her mom drove her to dance, scrolling through Instagram when she noticed an influencer she was following had created a project with a hashtag. “I wanted to come up with one that meant something to me and explained what my goal was,” she says. “There are so many different stereotypes in dance but the one that affects me the most is the body image stereotype where you have to be so thin and so tall.”
Amanda defines body positivity as being comfortable in your own skin. “There's such an importance on physical appearance in dance that I've never really agreed with,” she explains. “For me, dance has always been about entertaining and how you make someone feel. It's not about what you look like.”
Through #breakingthestereotype, Amanda has become a body positivity advocate. In 2019, she was the guest speaker and performer at a female empowerment summit called "Beautiful U,” featured in the "Werk the Skin You're In: Body Positivity" panel, and performed at RuPaul's DragCon. She can be seen in ads and commercials for well-known brands, such as for American Eagle Outfitters’ “Young Money” curvy jeans campaign and JCPenney’s “Here I Am: Plus Size Athletes Fit At Any Size” campaign. Amanda has received countless direct messages from followers, who have shared how she’s helped them feel more confident in their own skin. “What I'm doing isn't just about me. It's about the tons of other people who might not have the same opportunities I do or may not be as confident as I am,” she says. “Even if you don't think you're changing someone's life, people's lives are changing. I never would've thought that dancing and doing what I love could have such an impact on someone.”
At the same time, Amanda also faces a misconception: the idea that she only gets jobs out of pity or so that companies can seem more “inclusive.” “This is really dangerous and damaging to the body positivity movement because if anything, I haven't gotten things because of my appearance,” she says. “It’s really hurtful when someone credits all my success to my body.” Her goal is for dance careers to be solely based on talent so others don’t feel prejudiced because of their size, race, or gender identity.
Nothing stops Amanda from persisting in both her career and movement. Some of her upcoming projects include teaching outdoor classes at LA dance school Snowglobe Perspective and working with the activewear company Athleta to expand their sizing. Her thick skin has helped her reach the top, becoming a well-known figure in the dance scene. With every move she makes, she continues to challenge some of the industry’s longest-held stigmas all while inspiring others to follow their dreams. Her philosophy: "If you love it, do it. It's as simple as that."
STORY JACQUI PASH
PHOTOS LEE GUMBS PHOTOGRAPHY