Paris is Popping
How do you keep showing up when confidence wavers? We meet professional dancer and movement artist Paris Crossley, who’s turning vulnerability into fuel – one pop, one battle, and one bold step at a time.
By Glorious
Photography By Heiko Prigge
As I arrive at the studio in central London, a silhouette moves against the white backdrop, each motion sharp, controlled, and impossibly precise. Muscles contract and release in perfect rhythm – ‘hitting’ – isolating limbs to create the illusion of something almost mechanical. It’s mesmerising to watch – extraordinary, even. I pause for a moment, caught in the flow, before setting my bags down and preparing for the day ahead.
This mysterious figure isn’t just anyone, but Paris Crossley, a London-based movement artist who specialises in popping. Our friends at Sweaty Betty have teamed up with Glorious to find and produce a shoot with athletes from our community who go beyond physical strength and are redefining what power looks like – just like Paris, whose movement is reshaping the dance world. Today, we’re bringing that idea to life through a shoot centred on their Power Collection – a name that couldn’t be more fitting, not just for the clothes, but for Paris herself.
Paris gets off the studio floor and steps behind the laptop to peek at some of her photos, her infectious smile lighting up the room as it passes through the production crew. I introduce myself, “Hi, you must be Ellë!” She walks over with open arms and a relaxed energy, pulling me into a hug. “Whenever you’re ready, let’s chat,” she says, settling into the day like it’s second nature.
Paris is cross-legged on the sofa, it’s leather soft and balmy, sinking slightly under her weight as if it has moulded to countless moments of comfort. Her presence is relaxed and totally at ease. Now, I’m no dancer at all, and I’m intrigued to find out if it’s something Paris was genetically gifted with. “I got into dance quite naturally. My dad was a musician and he would always be playing records around the house, with his other artistic friends always coming over. I grew up in that richness of art, and I was always dancing because of it!” She tells me that over the years, her practice has evolved – from contemporary dance to more modern styles within street dance, and even participating in popping battles.
For me, popping battles conjure up visions of the noughties Step Up films – but I’m sure they’re something far more sophisticated than the scene where Channing Tatum is slapping the floor to a fountain of sprinklers setting the backdrop. I need Paris to take me through the basics. “A lot of people don’t know that it’s very different from body popping! That’s a very old-school term which isn’t used within our community,” she informs me. She goes on to say that while things have improved in recent years, modern popping remains a very male-dominated dance. “When I started out, there weren’t many women succeeding in the field because they were outnumbered.”
Paris explains how the mechanics of men and women make us move differently, and how this has impacted the space. “Before, there was a lack of recognition and appreciation for women’s unique touch within popping, whereas today, even though there are more women in the community, there are still only a handful of them at the top. I am involved in that, but there’s still disparity.” Despite this, she sees it as motivation rather than a barrier. “If anything, it gives me more of an incentive to work within this field and climb up the ladder to make lasting change!” For Paris, it’s about leading by example and not passively waiting for change to happen.
Like many of us, Paris wasn’t necessarily born with this confidence, and she tells me that she’s had to train herself to celebrate her successes. “I began celebrating my achievements after I started working in different spaces, where treatment varied depending on social status or gender. It helped me build this maturity and a deeper appreciation for who I am.” Adjusting her seat as she leans forward, Paris tells me she first recognised this in 2023, when she returned to competing after a stint of theatre projects. “Two weeks before the Summer Dance Forever competition in Amsterdam, I decided I might as well go for it without any care about the result. I care more now for being who I am in spaces that can easily take away from you.”
I ask her to elaborate on the meaning of this. “The thing is, environments like competitions can often make or break your self-confidence! I went into this competition with an approach that respected me as my fullest self. There were a few things – for example, my flight was delayed, so when I arrived I was the very last to do my pre-selection performance. I got through! And honestly? I felt calm. I’m not sure if that’s because of my break, the development in maturity – it’s probably a combination of all of it,” she says, pride in her voice. I understand what she means now.
go for it!
Of course, Paris isn’t just talking about competition as a challenge, but any scenario where we step into the unknown. It’s these moments that remind us growth and discomfort go hand in hand. “There’s always this initial nervousness, stepping into the unknown,” she admits. “But I don’t shy away from it. I embrace it. It gives me energy, makes me more alert. I feed off that uncertainty, and rather than seeing it as something I could lose from, I view it as an opportunity to gain – whether that’s new insights, new connections, or just a deeper understanding of myself.”
I sense that this mindset has not only shaped Paris’s approach to dance, but to life itself. She’s not waiting for the world to change; she is making it happen, one pop at a time. And when she steps onto the competition floor, she’s not just showcasing her art – she is proving that power comes in all forms, because after all, it’s not about the title you hold, but how you hold your ground when you’re most vulnerable. “I went in with an inner sense of peace,” she reflects on her Summer Dance Forever experience. “It wasn’t about the result. It was about being unapologetically me.”
I ask Paris what owning her power means to her, and she adjusts her posture slightly. “Owning my power is something I’ve been actively working on,” she admits. “I aim to be a lot more vocal about how I’m feeling. I’ve often kept things in, processed them on my own. And while that’s helped me build a thick skin, I’ve learned that there’s also power in speaking your truth, especially when you can do it with calmness and clarity. It’s not about shouting; it’s about being heard without having to apologise for your feelings.”
She pauses for a moment, reflecting on where she is on her journey. “I’m still working on it. It’s not easy, but it’s important!” There’s a quiet strength in her words, reminding me that owning your power doesn’t mean having it all figured out. Instead, we must continue to show up and approach things with a certain self-awareness, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Despite the busy schedule that comes with being a professional dancer, Paris recognises the importance of self-care. “There have definitely been times where I’ve overworked,” she admits. After periods of back-to-back shows, shoots or competitions, she makes it a priority to recharge. “I’ll take a day to literally just sit down. I might watch a good film, read, or do yoga to reset.” Paris adds that sometimes she spends time with friends and family, but she is intentional with where she uses her energy. “I’m very particular about socialising,” she explains. “It can be draining, so I always check in with myself to see where my energy’s at before making plans.”
“And when it comes to your mental health?” I ask, trying to understand how Paris balances everything as someone who is self-employed. She sighs slightly. “Living in London is, of course, financially challenging at times, especially with dance, where the pay is project-based. I never know when the next job will come, so I often take as many opportunities as I can, occasionally leaving little time to rest!” She pauses before adding,
“It’s my choice to be this way and I approach it with passion and with practicality. I’m so grateful for the opportunities and to do what I deeply love as a career. I don’t need to be rich – just enough to live and keep doing what makes me happy!”
Her tone shifts as she offers advice. “Most role models were once where you are. Once you open the door to opportunities, you’re on the path to success.” She leans in, adding, “Find a mentor to guide you through the highs and lows. Build a supportive network. Experiment, and understand your ‘why’ – then nothing can stop you.” Paris shares that it’s okay to appreciate your successes and to find joy in the process of self-development. “Not everyone will be for you, and that’s fine. You have yourself and your people. The journey never ends, so find joy in it and remember your purpose.”
So what is next for Paris? She tells me, “I’m developing my own work, which takes time, but I believe I’ve got the right tools and connections to support this transition. I’m also planning on starting up some small courses based on my own movement practices and things I’ve learnt, whether online or in person.”
superpower
She’s not just thinking about what comes next for her, but how she can create space for others. These courses are as much about sharing knowledge as they are about encouraging dancers to develop confidence in who they are, not just how they move. “It’s about passing something on. I want to help people find their voice through movement, the way I’ve found mine.”
There’s something quietly powerful in her commitment to showing up fully – both for herself and the next generation. Her journey hasn’t been about arriving at a final version of success, but about continuing to evolve. And as she steps into this new chapter, she does so with clarity, purpose, and a deep understanding of what it means to move forward on your own terms.
Want to experience Paris’ movement practice for yourself? Find out more about Sweaty Betty’s multi-workout Power collection here.
Follow Paris on Instagram to stay up-to-date.
Paris wears:
Outfit1: (Title image) Power Gym Leggings, Blue Aurora Print, Power Medium Support Sports Bra, Blue Aurora Print
Outfit 2: Power 7/8 Gym Leggings, Navy Blue, UV Lightweight Zip Up, Breeze Blue
A Glorious Sport Production:
Creative & Art Direction: This Is Root
Photography: Heiko Prigge
Director of Photography: Robin Weaser
Photography Assistants: Joe Horton, Callum O’Keefe
Hair & Make-Up: Alev Miller
Hair & Make-Up Assistant: Rae Anglim
Wardrobe: Nicole Daly
Runners: Rose Arthur, Eleri Shone
With thanks to Mount Pleasant Studios
Share This Article
If you love this you’ll also love...
Breaking the Waves
Rowing’s unforgiving waters demand resilience and often a mould to fit. Vwairé Obukohwo isn’t just pushing through barriers but breaking societal constructs. As one of Team GB’s youngest and few Black female prospects, she proves that embracing our differences is key to driving progress.
Power Kicks
What does it take to turn self-doubt into a gold-medal strike? She battled her inner critic, then unleashed a flurry of Taekwondo kicks that silenced all doubt. We catch up with Paralympic champion Amy Truesdale to find out how she’s developed her unshakable mindset.
Own Your Power
Being a woman comes with contradictions. Be strong, but not too strong. Be confident, but not too confident. We explore why women downplay their strengths and how we can lift each other up to celebrate every win.
Beyond The Barre
From the spotlight of the stage to the quiet moments of motherhood, Claire Calvert dances through life with grace and determination. Discover how she expertly balances the demands of a top ballet career with the joys and challenges of raising a family.