Talent shows like America’s Got Talent, The X Factor, and Britain’s Got Talent are designed to find the nation’s next superstar act and make them shine. Some of them have incredible backstories, and that is certainly the case with today’s focus – Rise. This talented all-female dance troupe aimed to wow the judges and the rest of the Britain’s Got Talent audience with their choreography, and also win their hearts through their message of spreading hope and positivity.
Little did the judges, crowd, or nation know, however, that the backstory behind Rise’s drive for love and peace is significantly more personal than any of us would expect. The troupe features 13-year-old Hollie Booth, who was a victim of the Manchester terror attack at the Ariana Grande concert in May 2017. She suffered life-changing injuries and also lost her aunt in the tragedy, but it hasn’t stopped her from chasing her dream. Watch the powerful video below:
Anyone who overcomes any kind of tragedy is a truly incredible human being. To lose so much, and to suffer such injuries in a tragedy like the Manchester terror attack, and still come out performing for the nation to spread love and positivity, is a testament to the power of Hollie Booth’s character. Her determination is influential, and the support from her friends, family, and Rise themselves, is both uplifting and incredibly emotional.
The support for the people of Manchester after the terror attack was overwhelming. So much so that an emotional Ariana Grande helped to organize One Love Manchester: a charity event that sought to heal broken hearts and help both the victims’ families and the charities who came together amid the tragedy. Grande herself performed at the event with Miley Cyrus, covering “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House. Watch the touching performance below:
Concerning the victims of the attack, Rise performed their routine while wearing Manchester Bee t-shirts. These became a symbol of hope for the people of Manchester after the horrific event. They also incorporated wheelchairs into the routine to show solidarity and support for Hollie, who is unable to walk on her left leg without a splint.
The judges were clearly very emotional after Rise’s performance, and Simon Cowell took the opportunity to give Hollie nothing but praise and admiration. He said: “This is difficult – to get through what you went through and then to come out here and turn a negative into a positive is actually quite unbelievable.” He went on to add that “the fact that you can come on stage and do what you did and make such a positive statement…I’m very proud of you. In fact, I salute you.”
There is no place in this world for the harm of innocent civilians who attend a music concert designed to create an atmosphere of joy and love between each other. The actions of the people of Manchester, and the many celebrities who came together in the wake of this tragedy, show that love will always conquer all.
If you want to keep up with the incredible Rise Unbroken and their inspirational journey, you can follow them on their Instagram. Their incredible resilience and the amazing dancing talent they showcase is a testament to the triumphant spirit of humanity. Don’t miss out on their journey to spread hope and positivity.