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Little ladies with huge desires are a dime a dozen, however for Sherwood Park native Keltie Knight, the dream has grow to be a actuality. The TV presenter, podcast host and bestselling writer got here from humble roots till a $199 bus journey to New York Metropolis would change the trajectory of her life for good.
The daughter of a instructor and a mechanic, Knight spent her childhood dancing in her front room and performing for neighbours in her yard. Years of dance competitions would lead her to attend Victoria College of the Arts the place she would additionally uncover a love for a selected Canadian delicacy.
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“After I was in grade ten I truly went to Vic Comp from Sherwood Park,” says Knight. “The bus used to cease at Metropolis Centre Mall and every single day after college I might go to New York Fries and get that scrumptious poutine. And now each time I come dwelling to Canada my brother and I am going to New York Fries and have poutine. As a result of you’ll be able to’t get it within the States the way in which you will get it in Canada. It’s such a spectacular dish.”
A high-school job at Joey Tomato’s helped her save as much as fly to Toronto for an audition which led to a job for Norwegian Cruise Strains. As a self-professed overachiever, Knight had accomplished her research early, so she went to work for 2 years as a dancer for the cruise line. After that, she determined to observe her lifelong dream of transferring to New York.
“I bought dwelling and informed my mother and father I used to be transferring,” says Knight. “I took a Greyhound bus. I couldn’t even afford to fly. It took two days and 16 hours for $199. And that’s how I made it to New York Metropolis.”
Dancing with Swift, Beyoncé
Knight would then go on to bounce for John Legend, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. She would grow to be a cheerleader for the New York Knicks and spend a number of years as a Rockette. That journey would lead her to grow to be an Emmy Award-winning TV presenter and the present host of E! Information.
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“I’ve at all times been decided however that willpower was met with the truth that I used to be by no means the very best at something,” says Knight. “I danced for years and I by no means gained something. I used to be by no means the very best. I used to be by no means the lady that individuals have been like, ‘She’s gonna make it.’ I used to be only a long-armed, big-forehead lady, flailing round.”
Knight is now the creator, government producer and host of Superfan, a brand new unscripted TV sequence that locations the music trade’s greatest followers in a contest to have a once-in-lifetime expertise with their idol.
Knight attributes a whole lot of her present success to the setting she grew up in.
“I feel that rising up in Sherwood Park gave me such creativity,” says Knight. “There have been such nice artwork packages. There have been so many alternatives to carry out and be a nerdy theatre child and from a younger age that was my saving grace.”
Fringe fest fan
Knight additionally lovingly recollects that she and her pals would placed on bell-bottom pants and go to the Fringe to look at unbiased theatre and store for classic clothes.
“I simply suppose that the collective inventive spirit of Sherwood Park and Edmonton made me really feel like there was a spot for me on the earth as a inventive particular person.”
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Apart from a childhood crammed with performing, Knight grew up doing the issues that almost all youngsters do, full with slightly gentle mischief.
“I liked hanging out on the Sherwood Park Mall and we’d go after college after which we’d name on a payphone for our mother and father to choose us up,” says Knight. “I bear in mind rising up the place Sherwood Park simply type of ended earlier than all these new developments and me and my finest buddy Katie would hop on our bicycles and go to what we referred to as the mud bogs and search for frogs and simply keep out all day. However my primary place was the Sherwood Park Library. I used to go there each single day.”
“I do know it was in all probability unlawful however I used to be so enamoured with Hollywood, I might time completely the day that the library would throw out the outdated magazines for the month. So I might climb within the dumpster on the library and I might get Vogue and Elle and Chatelaine magazines and I might take them dwelling and obsess over them.”
Now, from her dwelling in Los Angeles that she shares with husband and music government Chris Knight, she rises at 4 A.M. to organize for the debut of Superfan.
“I feel it’s so related proper now,” says Knight. “We see it with Taylor Swift and Beyonce and large artists the place being a fan is a full-time job. It’s your ardour. I really feel like there are such a lot of competitors reveals the place you might have to have the ability to throw fireplace or dance or sing. I needed to create a present for individuals who don’t have expertise. Anybody can apply. Any age can apply. Your expertise is that you just love Pitbull or LL Cool J.”
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Present options Twain, Pitbull, Estefan
Along with appearances from Pitbull and LL Cool J, the present may also function Canadian songstress Shania Twain. Knight can also be notably enthusiastic about an episode which options Gloria Estefan the place the winner will expertise a meal cooked by the singer in her dwelling.
Whereas Knight has not lived in Canada for years, she visits usually.
“My mother and father nonetheless dwell in the home that I grew up in and I come again on a regular basis so I’m at all times there. My brother lives within the West finish of Edmonton so I nonetheless come up as a lot as I probably can.”
Knight additionally nonetheless stays in contact together with her childhood finest buddy Katie.
“I imply the entire celebs are attempting to be my buddy however I’m like ‘Sorry, I can’t, I’ve Katie from Sherwood Park.’”
Superfan premieres Aug. 9 on World. Examine your native listings.
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