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Sophie puts her back into it in Birchfield’s Park, Rusholme, as she shows off the curves that have made her a hit on Britain’s Got Talent
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Sophie's choice is belly dancing
8/ 5/2008
FALLOWFIELD’S Sophie Mei is a girl on a mission - to bring belly dancing to the masses.
Sophie has become the surprise hit of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent - where she mesmerised Simon Cowell with her moves.
And now the 20-year-old Manchester University student, in the second year of her degree in philosophy and Italian, says she hopes her curvy figure can make her a positive role model for women everywhere.
Sophie, who lives on Brighton Grove, says: "My feet haven’t touched the ground since Saturday, the reaction has just been crazy. Everyone has this stereotypical view of belly dancing being sleazy, and I thought I’d have a go at challenging that by going on Britain’s Got Talent.
"I hope to be a role model for girls. I’m not going to hide away in baggy clothes just because I’m not a size zero. Belly dancing is empowering to all women and girls - whatever your size - it’s about being your natural self."
Sophie revealed there were two reasons to be nervous at her audition at Manchester’s Palace Theatre. She said: "When I auditioned, my boyfriend, Laurence, came along and he’d never seen me dance before."
Sophie has been belly dancing now for six years and practises once a week at Manchester High School for Girls in Fallowfield with renowned dance instructor Tracey Gibbs - who Sophie credits with taking her to the ‘next level’ of the dance.
Sophie will have to wait another couple of weeks before finding out if judges put her through to the live finals of Britain’s Got Talent at the end of May.
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