At 90, we’d be happy enough to still be on our feet. But one incredible 90-year-old isn’t just walking like somebody half her age – she’s dancing like it too.
Hollywood swing dance legend Jean Veloz has had a long life in showbiz. After learning to dance with her brothers in her living room, she began dancing professionally, and her career took off when she did a dance cameo in the 1943 movie, “Swing Fever”.
Over the years since then, Jean has danced in both movies and TV shows, and embarked on a world tour, sharing her knowledge of swing (and her slick moves!) with her adoring audience.
The dance industry can be a little tough when it comes to age. Many dancers retire in their thirties or forties, when their bodies can’t take anymore. But once she reached typical retirement age, Jean was still going – and she still hasn’t stopped now!
You would never believe that Jean was 90 by watching this video of her dancing at the FatCat Ballroom in Phoenix, AZ. She completely commands the dance floor, with all the composure and confidence of a much younger woman.
With a large crowd standing in a circle around them, Jean’s partner guides her around the floor to a traditional swing song played by a live band. She moves with a fluidity that even younger dancers can struggle to achieve, swaying her hips, tapping her feet and spinning in circles while holding onto her partner’s hand.
There’s no evidence that this particular dance has been slowed down for Jean’s benefit; in fact, she seems to be pulling off much more complex moves than the average swing dancer could manage.
But it’s not only her dancing talent that makes Jean’s performance so enjoyable. Her cheeky personality on the dance floor is what really sells her routine. She has a huge grin on her face from start to finish, and it’s obvious how pleased she is when she pulls off a particularly impressive move and her audience whoops and cheers.
Dancing is Jean’s passion; there’s no denying that. She’s shown that there’s no reason to quit a hobby at an older age if your body wants you to keep going. And the novelty of her 90-year-old dancing ability has attracted quite a bit of attention her way, with more than 5 million people watching the video of her dancing online.
Even better, it seems that Jean is still dancing today. A more recent video from 2019 shows Jean aged 95, still jiving like she’s in her thirties! She’s clearly become a popular figure amongst the swing and jive communities, and rightly so. She’s an absolute legend.
The people in the comments agree too, with one person writing:
“Yeh you go for it Jean . . You are one hell of a lady!💃”
Someone else added:
“Wow Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee girls got the moves what is her diet and secrets?”
We’d love to know ourselves!
Jean’s amazing dancing skills are a huge inspiration to everyone, and she’s definitely an example of #GrowingOldGoals. Perhaps her love of dance, and her refusal to retire when her industry dictated she should, are to thank for her exceptional motor skills as an older woman.
The video of Jean doing her thing on the dance floor is just below. Click play and prepare to be amazed!
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