Wellington’s Maddie Brown Competing On Hit NBC Show ‘World Of Dance’

Wellington’s deep reservoir of untapped talent continues to find its way to shine. Most recently, an up-and-coming star from the community is being featured this summer on NBC’s “World of Dance.”

Madison “Maddie” Brown, a 12-year-old Wellington native, can be seen on Season 2 of the hit summer show, which began airing May 29 and wraps up in September. Brown grabbed the attention of judges and dance superstars Jennifer Lopez, Derek Hough, Ne-Yo and host/mentor Jenna Dewan.

The 16-episode series from Universal Television Alternative Studio and Nuyorican Productions brings amazing dancers together to compete in epic battles of artistry, precision and athleticism. Solo dancers compete against duos and crews in an unlimited range of dance, including hip-hop, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom, stomping and more.

The contestants are handpicked from qualifying events around the nation and thousands of online submissions. New this season, the competitors are divided into four divisions based on age and number of dancers on the team. A panel of experts score the acts using a precise point system based on performance, technique, choreography, creativity and presentation.

The competition consists of five rounds. In the first four rounds, dancers only compete within their division, but in the World Final, the winners from each division compete against each other for the grand prize.

What began in 2008 as a single event is now a continent-spanning, tour de force of human spirit and amazing dance moves. The World of Dance Tour attracts YouTube stars, industry icons and tens of thousands of fans to events in more than 25 countries.

And in the mix this year is Brown, vying to stand out among the competition because, if she comes out on top, she’ll receive a life-altering grand prize of $1 million and the title “Best Dancer in the World.”

For her, it all started with a phone call. “I thought it was another interview call,” said Brown, who explained that the show’s producers had already called four or five times with questions. “They had already been asking me how much I liked to dance, how I felt about what was going on, what I’d do if I won or didn’t win, what I wanted to be when I grew up. I didn’t realize that this time they were calling to tell me I’d made it onto the show.”

Brown’s father, Redick, was at her side during the phone call, but as soon as she hung up, Brown called her mother, Jennifer Mazyck-Brown. Then they drove to the Lents Dance Company studio in Boca Raton to tell Brown’s coach, Brittany Lents. Family was next.

“Everybody was super-excited and happy for me. They were proud of me for making it,” Brown said. “And my brother and sister (Trey, 11 and Jordan, 8) were excited that their older sister was going to be on a TV show.”

She is very happy with all the support she has received from friends and family.

“They thought it was super-cool, and I’m hoping we can all come together and watch the show sometime,” Brown said. “When I told other dance teachers who’d pushed me, they were happy that all the hard work we do paid off.”

No one in Brown’s extended family has embraced the art of dance like she has. The youngster has been dancing since she was a tot. “I started when I was two, just because my parents thought it would be a good outlet for me,” Brown said. “I would be able to make friends and be a little less shy. I took to it right away.”

By age six, she was entering dance competitions — and winning. Today, she dances five or six hours a day, six days a week. “I lost myself in the music and movement, and it helped me express myself, to become more of an open person in general,” Brown said. “You can be shy when you’re dancing, too, but dance helps me work on talking to people who aren’t my friends and family.”

Turns out she would need those communication skills. Meeting “World of Dance” Executive Producer Jennifer Lopez and the other stars of the show might rattle some young fans, but Brown felt she already had a connection.

“‘Jenny from the Block’ was my mom’s nickname, and Ne-Yo was one of my dad’s favorite singers. Derek Hough was one of my favorites on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ It was pretty awesome to learn from them and get their feedback,” she said. “I felt like they all had a positive vibe and were nice and sweet.”

Because of her previous experience in dance competitions, Brown knows both victory and defeat. “I think that competing becomes easier as we do it more often,” she said. “When you don’t win, it is always a little bit disappointing, but it doesn’t affect my love of dance. If anything, a loss propels me to work harder.”

For the “World of Dance” competition, Brown chose “contemporary solo” as her style. “It combines ballet with other styles that I enjoy,” she said. “Contemporary was a way to show a lot of my best qualities.”

“World of Dance” enjoys an audience of 8.3 million viewers with another 30 million per month watching performance videos online, making it the largest dance entertainment channel on YouTube.

“That’s a lot of people. I hope that they enjoy my art and that I am able to strike a chord with them,” Brown said.

A big influence on Brown is Misty Copeland, a dancer with American Ballet Theatre, one of the nation’s leading classical ballet companies.

“I watch her videos all the time,” Brown said. “Misty Copeland is a huge inspiration, and, as a young dancer of color, I’m aware that the opportunities for me have not always been there. She gives me confidence that I can achieve my dreams and become an inspiration to others.”

Brown’s dream is to move to New York and become a principal ballerina with the American Ballet Theatre, just like Copeland, her idol. In the meantime, Brown believes that Wellington is a great place for aspiring dancers to grow up. “There are lots of studios for dancers who want to start,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of nice and friendly people here. In New York, people are on-the-go and not so easy-breezy.”

To the people of Wellington who will be glued to their screens, watching this local girl throughout the summer, Brown said, “I’d like to thank them for all their support. It’s a wonderful feeling to have the community stand behind me and cheer me on for success. I want them to know I will always be my best and represent my community.”

And if she does win the grand prize?

“My parents might let me get a dog,” she dreamed. “Even if I just did ‘pretty good,’ I think I would still get a dog for working that hard… Hopefully.”

Watch “World of Dance” on Tuesdays this summer on NBC. Learn more at www.nbc.com/world-of-dance.