Tegan Browne-Winter, a plus-size dancer in the upcoming Wicked film, hopes to inspire others to pursue their ambitions, regardless of societal expectations.
Raised in Watford, Hertfordshire, she faced discouragement in her early dance career due to her appearance.
“People would tell me I was a good dancer, but the recurring message was I needed to lose weight or didn’t look the way the industry wanted,” she recalled.
Despite these challenges, Browne-Winter pushed through and found success.
In 2022, after attending dance workshops, she was spotted by a choreographer working on Wicked and offered a part in the film.
Her dance alongside Ariana Grande in the viral What Is This Feeling? scene has garnered widespread attention, with fans recreating the routine on social media.
Browne-Winter also appears in scenes such as Dancing Through Life and parts set in the Ozdust Ballroom.
While she admitted to being critical of herself, she praised her co-stars, particularly Grande, who was “really involved” in rehearsals and made an effort to connect with everyone on set.
The dancer expressed gratitude for the film’s inclusivity, highlighting the diversity of performers, including other plus-size dancers.
She explained how seeing someone like herself in the room was a rare but exciting moment.
“There’s always a certain look when it comes to female dancers, so to see another plus-size dancer in the room, I was so excited,” she said.
Browne-Winter hopes to be a role model for young people, especially those who feel discouraged.
“If they’ve got the talent, the drive, and work hard, they can make it in whatever they do,” she said, emphasizing that representation matters and that anyone can succeed, regardless of their body type.
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