Latest news with #StreetWomanFighter
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Marlee Hightower Reps Team USA On ‘World Of Street Woman Fighter'
Marlee Hightower of MOTIV Dance Crew // World of Street Woman Fighter MOTIV Crew dance leader Marlee Hightower is a force to be reckoned with. At only 25 years old, the choreographer/dancer is leading her dance crew up against veteran dancers from all over the world in MNET's World of Street Woman Fighter. The South Korean series features some of the world's top women's dance crews competing in a series of challenges to determine the champion. Now, with only two weeks left in the competition, MOTIV Crew, aka Team USA, is fighting for their lives to stay for the finale. Considered the underdogs of the series, partly because the show is a week behind for American viewers, MOTIV has proven their worth through the judges' high marks for the crew. For the team, what they lack in video 'views' and 'likes,' they make up for with their technical and creative scores. Hightower acknowledges that there is a disadvantage to the episode airing a week behind schedule for U.S. viewers. By the time many American fans watch the show, voting for a particular video is already closed, and too late to be included in the final results. She gives the Saweetie episode that aired two weeks ago, but only a week for American fans, as an example. 'A couple of days ago, my friend posted the Saweetie mission, and was like, 'Guys, go vote!'' Hightower shares over Zoom from her hotel in Seoul. 'By then, the voting period is done. It really does show that it takes a while for things to travel. So, that's been tough.' But for Hightower, it doesn't bother her that much as she's more focused on creating dances that she's proud of. She doesn't expect handouts or any favoritism. The lowest score due to the number of views isn't a reflection of their work. 'The judges still take part in ranking us,' she says. 'For the most part, the judges have been receptive and encouraging to what we've created thus far. There may be a disadvantage, but that doesn't change the fact that we keep pushing through and trying to make stuff that we're proud of. Regardless of the outcome, it has to be quality.' Although the show is promoted as a street dance-type competition, it's hard to ignore how K-pop has heavily influenced the show, given that the majority of the dancers on the show have choreographed for K-pop groups. When Team USA was first introduced on the show, they were revealed to be experts in the foundations of hip-hop. Hightower admitted they didn't all know much about K-pop, other than knowing peers who created K-pop choreography. There was even a scene where MOTIV member Ruthie Fantaye was asked to list the K-pop groups they knew and was only able to list BTS. 'I was not very knowledgeable on it, and I knew there was a K-pop mission coming,' Hightower explains. 'There was a moment on the show where we were like, 'How do you define K-pop style?' I still have a very interesting relationship with what you would consider K-pop because I think it has everything to do with the choices the choreographers make.' Marlee Hightower of MOTIV Dance Crew // World of Street Woman Fighter Although Hightower and her crew have competed in several American reality competitions, including World of Dance and America's Got Talent, she wasn't sure she wanted to participate in the World of Woman Street Fighter. She didn't want to do more shows and such, but was finally convinced when Fantaye, who was based in LA, said she'd be down to join MOTIV on this adventure. Hightower began recruiting her members and dancers outside of her crew. 'We got approached to do it, but I never thought to ask [others] or outsource to join the team,' says Hightower. 'I started warming up to the idea of agreeing to join the show. Then I sat down and thought about who I would bring together and what would be possible.' Bella Olsen, Abby Diaz, and Kaidi Lindo were already part of MOTIV, and those Hightower praises were among the strongest from the original team. Breakdancer and Olympian Logan Edra, aka Logistx, had taught at MOTIV a few times, so Hightower knew her from the dance community. Hightower thought a B-girl would be a perfect addition to the show. Logistx had been asked by several other potential dance crews to participate in the show, but felt a vibe with MOTIV. There was no audition process. Instead, after the show reached out to Hightower, they had a few conversations with the producers and were then placed on the show. TEAM USA // MOTIV Crew on World of Street Woman Fighter '[Being on this show] differs a lot [from American shows] in terms of the content and structure of the show,' Hightower explains. 'I've never been on a show that's focused on not just the dance, but also the reality of it and who we are as people, separate from the dance itself. The drama aspect is all very new to me.' Initially, Hightower felt a significant amount of pressure as the workload began to accumulate. She believes it's due to Korea's work culture being a bit more intense than what she's used to in America. She understands that it's just their way of life, and she is just to adjust to it, learning together with her team. They all film on a very tight schedule. 'Everyone's very passionate, and is more about getting the work done,' she says. 'In America, it's about maintaining labor. It's very different. I've had conversations with the show and showrunners, and they [tell me] it's very different. They're working with so many different crews from all over the world. Every single part of the world has different standards.' Hightower does enjoy the experience of being in another country and learning their culture, but does have moments of uncertainty due to not understanding the language or when things get lost in translation. Despite that, the team is loving the attention they've received from the show, which is hugely popular in Korea. People have recognized and stopped Hightower on the street, and express their love for the show. She wonders if this kind of attention would transfer when she returns home to Florida. 'I think there is a more niche group of Americans who watch the show,' says Hightower. 'Here, this is the show. So, it's been interesting. I enjoy experiencing the fan culture here because it's so passionate. The people come with gifts! I just learned what a coffee truck was – where the fans [rent] a coffee truck [for their favorite celebrity]. I'm still so perplexed by it, but I'm so appreciative of it.' Marlee Hightower of MOTIV Dance Crew // World of Street Woman Fighter She is also appreciative of the way the show portrays Team USA. She was initially worried about how Americans might be perceived by Koreans, especially since Korea is a relatively homogeneous country. Hightower felt a lot of pressure at the beginning of filming because she was unaware of the reception they'd receive, especially since their style had not been as popular in the competition in the past. She didn't want to disappoint anyone, especially since they're representing their country. 'I've grown a lot more confident in what MOTIV has to offer,' she reveals. 'Initially, I did feel a lot of pressure, but the American people who are watching the show have been really supportive. Even when the Mega Crew Mission came about, I felt that was finally the opportunity to lay everything on the table.' The Mega Crew Mission required each team to have a large number of dancers participate, regardless of age and gender. The dance video and routine must incorporate cultural elements and a high-angle shot, with a focus on storytelling their national identity. With the current events unfolding in the U.S. (as well as the ongoing struggle for People of Color), Hightower didn't want to be ignorant of what was happening in their country. As director for the video titled 'We The People,' she says she wanted to represent America honestly, especially in the realm of hip-hop, which has always been about resistance and rebellion. She refused to make the piece happy-go-lucky, and told the story of the diverse faces and cultures in America that have struggled at the hands of politics. 'There was no other way to address my feelings,' she explains. 'The MEGA CREW MISSION was finally time to represent the U.S.A. and what is [currently] happening in the U.S.A., and let that be known to the rest of the world.' Mission captured the attention and hearts of many for its symbolism and well-crafted choreography. The judges scored their video highly, receiving a perfect score from the guest judge and former Street Woman Fighter participant, Lia Kim. Hightower had also read the comments from the video from Korean fans, who broke down their understanding of the video, despite many of them never visiting America. 'It shocked me, honestly,' says Hightower. 'I didn't think that people would fully understand it unless they were from America. I was overwhelmed with emotion. It was validating, but also an overwhelming feeling, just because I wasn't expecting it.' Hightower felt she was doing something important, telling the world what was going on as an artist and storyteller. As the most diverse group on the series, she felt seen, especially beyond the silly and humorous moments that the show displays. She does say that the show edits are 'very much who we are.' The lighthearted moments are very real, which stand out to viewers. The team's lack of knowledge about K-pop culture has been a recurring subject of jokes in the series, particularly in their misunderstandings of K-pop styles and the concept of 'Ending Fairies.' Hightower leans back and laughs, thinking about the 'Ending Fairy' moment. She admits they were a bit annoyed during the filming of it when they had to hold their pose for an extended period after finishing their dance. They didn't know why until the Ojo Gang performed afterward and 'served face' for the Ending Fairy. '[The film crew] were helping them correct their posture and poses,' she exclaimed. 'We were so annoyed and mad in the moment because we were in competition mode. Why were they doing that? What's going on? Then, we watched the videos, and you saw us bursting out laughing because we were so embarrassed. Then the episode came out, and I saw the overarching theme of showcasing MOTIV's lack of understanding of what K-pop has to offer.' Hightower wasn't offended by this because she understood what the writers and producers were trying to do. It also made the group look adorable in the eyes of viewers, who saw the group as good sports for their reaction. 'It was cute,' she admits. 'I see everything they're doing.' TEAM USA // MOTIV CREW for World of Woman Street Fighter As the competition comes to a close, Hightower is still adjusting to this newfound fame. And, how to navigate around it – especially to see if it does change anything when she returns to the U.S. She does feel that she's grown from being on the series, especially her threshold for pressure. At first, she was gut-wrenchingly nervous ('Like I was gonna throw up'), but as time progressed, she realized she could accomplish this difficult task. 'My nervous system is regulating now, so it's tested me and made me stronger,' she says. 'That's something I'll carry on in my life now.' As for after the series wraps, she won't have time to relish in her newfound fame as she's scheduled to participate in the Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final. The Red Bull ambassador admits that she hasn't thought about the Final because the show has been consuming most of her time and focus. She is excited to return to dancing for the fun of it, 'because I really think that's what dancer style is all about, the more you have fun and the more you engage and bring the audience in with you, and the more they're receptive to that.' She does think the show is prepping her mindset for the Final, as she feels stronger regarding her threshold for pressure. 'When I do these battles, it's 'do or die,' whether or not we're going to make it or go home. So, what I'm able to handle and how I'm able to compose myself in the face of extreme adrenaline and intensity is something I'm going to take with me into the National Final.' And, hopefully, for Team U.S.A.
Pink Villa
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Hyeri and rumored boyfriend Wootae's past romantic moments resurface amid dating speculations
Netizens are revisiting Hyeri and professional dancer Wootae's unseen moments. In a video from last year, where the actress was promoting her sports film Victory, her first few moments hanging out with the Street Woman Fighter star were revealed. Their teasing and helpful moments are being termed as 'romantic' by fans who are happy for the actress' love life. Hyeri and Wootae were seen practising for her role as Chu Pil Sun, the cheerleader in the musical drama film. Behind-the-scenes moments from their rehearsals showcased the two bonding over sweet moments from the session. Having difficulty with the structured choreography that is usually seen on cheerleaders, the singer and actor sought help from her dance instructor, Wootae. Initially appearing focused on their work to ensure the maximum positive result, it seems that the duo developed feelings over time after working on Victory for a long period. If the reports are to be believed, the two began dating around the time of the release of the film, but an exact timeline has not been specified. When the reports of their relationship first hit the internet on July 1, fans were surprised; however, as Hyeri's agency responded, it became clear that much would be kept under wraps about their rumored romance. So far, neither Wootae, who became well-known for his contained but strong appearance on Street Man Fighter, nor Hyeri, whose last project, drama Friendly Rivalry, went viral, have commented on the dating rumors personally. Previously, the two exchanged fun banter on social media, which fans have now begun digging into, including now-deleted vacation photos on the professional dancer's Instagram account. Talking about the reports swirling through the communities, Sublime Artist Agency shared that, 'It is difficult to confirm as it concerns the actor's private life. We ask for your understanding.' This further fueled the fire as fans thought of it as indirect confirmation, in the lack of a denial. Hyeri joined the management label in May 2024 and has since observed continued success in her projects.
Forbes
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘World Of Street Woman Fighter' Dance Competition Is A Must Watch
World of Street Woman Fighter MNET It's been a while since shows like America's Best Dance Crew, World of Dance, and So You Think You Can Dance have showcased the world's best dancers and dance crews. It's about time we have a good dance battle competition. Well, look no further than Mnet's World of Street Woman Fighter. Based in South Korea, the home of K-pop's synchronized groups, Street Woman Fighter enters its third season with an International Dance Battle between crews and individual dancers from Korea, Japan, the U.S.A., New Zealand, and Australia. It's truly a battle between the best of the best. The first season centered on crews based in Korea, which later expanded to include international crews in the second season, resulting in several viral moments and dance challenges. This season goes even bigger to see who is the world's best dance crew, including well-known groups like RHTokyo, Royal Family, and Motiv. Several iconic dancers from Season 1 returned to represent Korea in their group Bumsup. World-renowned choreographer Riehata, who served as a guest judge during Season 2, is leading the team, RHTokyo. World of Street Woman Fighter Mnet 'Legendary,' says judge Mike Song during the show's press conference. 'This season is going to have absolutely legendary battles, but there are also legendary collaborations. Having all these dance legends in one place at the same time is miraculous.' Song is joined by judges – JYP Entertainment CEO J.Y. Park, a.k.a. JYP, and professional dancer and choreographer Aliya Janell - to select the winners for each challenge. So far, three episodes in, the show is becoming even more intense with its challenges and battles. 'This show is the only way that you can bring this level of dancers to compete against each other,' says Song. 'It's so big for dance culture because if you look at these crews, these are people that are deep into their dance careers. They would never, in any other situation, compete against each other. So I feel like, especially for the dance culture, this is a very, very rare celebration of dance.' JYP, known for discovering K-pop groups such as Stray Kids, TWICE, and ITZY, had been a fan of the series and wanted to be part of the action as a judge. He says during the press conference, 'Although I wear many hats in the entertainment industry, dance has always been the most instinctive part of who I am. I started my career as a backup dancer. That's how I first stepped into this field. Dance has been second nature to me since I was young. What made me so happy about this show was being able to feel and react with just dance along, putting aside everything else, like singing and other things. It was truly exciting to watch all the best dancers from around the world gathered in one place.' World of Street Woman Fighter MNET The series premiered in Korea on May 27th, with the first two episodes available on the Mnet Plus app and their YouTube dance channel, The CHOOM. Other episodes will be available on Prime Video and Apple TV+ via the CJ ENM Selects add-on, a week after broadcast. So far, three episodes have been released, and they're filled with intense drama and dancing. The finale is set to air on July 22nd. World of Street Woman Fighter has performed well throughout Asia, ranking Number 1 on the global OTT streaming service iQIYI and in the Top 20 Overall on Japan's streaming platform ABEMA, while holding the #1 position in their K-Pop category. In the U.S., the series has the highest viewership on CJ ENM's premium SVOD add-on service on AppleTV+ and Prime Video. 'World of Street Woman Fighter' Crews MNET Let's get to know the crews: Team USA: MOTIV Led by Marlee Hightower, the Orlando-based crew has headlined the World of Dance in New York this year. With the U.S. being the birthplace of hip-hop, Motiv plans to show the other crews what that truly means. The team is also the only one to have an Olympian as part of their crew – Logan Edra, also known as Logistx. Logistx participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics breakdancing competition. She previously won the Red Bull BC One World Final in 2021. Team Korea: BUMSUP Led by Season 1 winner Honey J, the Korean crew have all been part of the competition before. With the competition being on their home turf, they're more determined than ever to take home the trophy, but have been seen as both the most experienced and the weakest of the crews. But many are proving to their young competitors that age is just a number. Team New Zealand: Royal Family One of the most legendary crews founded by Parris Goebel is finally making its appearance on the show. But it's not the dancers you have come to expect from the crew. This is a new generation of Royal Family members, led by Teesha Taulepa. The pink-haired beauty is recognizable as one of Goebel's right-hand dancers. She's ready to show the world that the new generation is the best. Team Australia: AG Squad Many will recognize the members of AG Squad as former or inactive members of the Royal Family. Leader Kaea Pearce, Kyra, Ruthybaby, and Kaleece are all first-generation Royal Family members. There's some tension between TRF and AG Squad, but that makes the competition even more exciting. It's hard not to be impressed with AG Squad, as they're considered icons in their own right in the dance world. Team Japan: Osaka Ojo Gang Leader and waacking legend, Ibuki, is a well-known face in the dance and competition scene. She won 3rd on Street Dance of China Season 6. The team is comprised of experienced, battle-ready dancers, including Kyoka, whom all the teams have praised. The crew is a force to be reckoned with. Even when watching, there were moments that I, as a viewer, felt intimidated. If you are wondering why hip-hop dancer Hana looks familiar, she bears a striking resemblance to her little sister, TWICE's Momo. Team Japan: RHTokyo Yes, there's ANOTHER Japan team. It's hard not to include multiple Japanese crews as Japan has been dominating the hip-hop dance scene. Led by Riehata, RHTokyo consists of dancers who have been under the guidance of the successful choreographer for years. Many competitors call the crew: the teacher and the students. But many of the RHTokyo members have accomplished so much on their own. Rena was part of last season's Japanese crew, Tsubakill. The most interesting battles have been between the two Japanese crews as they are determined to be the ones to represent Japan best. Though the competition is intense and there can only be one winner, in the end, we, as viewers, are the real winners. New episodes of World of Woman Street Fighter drop every Tuesday.
Korea Herald
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
‘Street Woman Fighter' goes global
JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young, Beyonce tour dancer Aliyah Janell and Mike Song to judge popular dance competition The popular dance competition series "Street Woman Fighter" is back for a third season — this time, with only one Korean team. "World of Street Woman Fighter," the show's latest iteration, features competition between dance crews from five countries: South Korea's Bumsup, the United States' Motiv, Japan's Osaka Ojo Gang and RHTokyo, New Zealand's Royal Family and Australia's AG Squad. Series producer Choi Jung-nam said the decision to include crews from other countries was aimed at showcasing more global talent to Korean audiences, building on the success of their introduction in season two. 'When it came to casting global crews for the program, we didn't approach it with the mindset that specific countries had to be represented. We wanted to introduce crews that have a certain level of skill and status, and who could tell compelling stories within the context of our program,' Choi said during a press conference held Tuesday in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Due to the diversity of participants this time around, the production team said it is facing new challenges in the editing process to ensure a seamless viewing experience across languages. 'Since we're trying to show viewers the best version of the footage through editing, many translators are involved. Because we're dealing with multiple languages: Korean, English, Japanese and more. It's taking a lot of time to translate. ... Even if there are some rough or imperfect parts, I hope you'll look forward to the dancers' expressions through the language of their bodies.' Joining the judges' panel this season are three powerful figures from the dance and entertainment industry: JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young, Beyonce tour alum Aliyah Janell, and renowned dancer and choreographer Mike Song. Park, who brings perspectives as a performer and a producer, reflected on his approach to judging for the new season. 'In the past, when I was judging singers, there was some connection to my company, so I had to be careful. But this time, I felt I could speak based on what I saw and felt. Some of the contestants this time are dancers I paid to choreograph for me. So while I'm watching as a fellow dancer, I also naturally see things from the perspective of a K-pop producer who commissions choreography," said Park. Despite the nation-versus-nation frame of the competition, producer Choi emphasized the broader mission of the show. 'I found myself returning to the original mindset -- rather than thinking about which country to root for, I saw it as a way to introduce international dancers to fans who loved 'Street Woman Fighter' and to help build a fandom for them.'
