Diversity (dance troupe) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Diversity
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Diversity in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Origin | London/south, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Street dance (popping, roboting, lyrical hip hop, contemporary hip hop dance, breakdance, acrobatics) |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Associated acts | Flawless, Out of the Shadows, Trinity Warriors, Boadicea, Diversity Juniors (DVJ) |
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Diversity is a famous British street dance group. They formed in 2007 in London. The group became very well known after winning the third series of Britain's Got Talent in 2009. They even beat singer Susan Boyle in the live final!
Diversity is made up of friends from London and Essex. The group includes several sets of siblings. When they first appeared on Britain's Got Talent, some members were still in school or university. Others had jobs. The group's leader and choreographer is Ashley Banjo. His brother Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely are also key members. Diversity is currently managed by Danielle Banjo, who is Ashley and Jordan's mother.
The Story of Diversity
How it Started: Swift Moves
Before Diversity, many of the dancers were part of a group called Swift Moves. Or they were in Swift Moves Juniors. As Swift Moves, they won a dance battle in 2005. They beat another crew called KI.
Forming Diversity in 2007
Diversity officially formed in 2007. A few dancers joined or left the group between 2007 and 2009. Perri Kiely and Ike Chuks joined during this time. The group won the Street Dance Weekend competition in 2007. By 2008, they were performing as special guests. The group included friends from east London and Essex. Some members were still students. Others had jobs.
Winning Britain's Got Talent in 2009
In 2009, Diversity auditioned for Britain's Got Talent. The judges loved their performance. Amanda Holden said they were amazing. They got three "yes" votes from the judges.
Diversity made it to the live semi-finals. They opened the first show on May 24. The audience and judges gave them a standing ovation. Everyone thought their performance was "fantastic". They were in the top three with Natalie Okri and Susan Boyle. Susan Boyle got the most votes. The judges then chose Diversity to go to the final.
In the final, the judges praised Diversity again. Simon Cowell said he would give them a perfect score. In a big surprise, Diversity won the show! This was a shock because Susan Boyle was expected to win. Millions of people watched them win.
After the Win: Tours and Shows
After winning Britain's Got Talent, Diversity became very popular. They appeared on TV shows in the US. They also joined the Britain's Got Talent – The Live Tour in 2009.
Diversity supported Dance Aid, a charity that helps children. They performed at big music festivals. They also performed in Blackpool as a tribute to Michael Jackson. Diversity even danced outside 10 Downing Street for the Prime Minister.
Ashley Banjo became a judge on the Sky1 show Got to Dance in 2010. Diversity also helped switch on Christmas lights in several towns. They performed at the Royal Variety Performance in December.
Diversity's First Big Tour: Diversitoys (2010)
Diversity worked with Change4Life to encourage kids to be active. Their first tour dates sold out very quickly. They added more shows due to high demand. The tour was called "Diversitoys". It was about toys coming to life. Other dance groups joined them on tour. Parts of this tour were later shown on TV.
The group also appeared in adverts. They starred in the UK film StreetDance 3D. They danced alongside other famous groups like Flawless. In November 2010, they released their own fitness DVD. It was called Diversity Dance Fitness Fusion.
Digitized Tour (2011–2012)
Ashton Russell rejoined Diversity for a while. Some members of Diversity also took part in the Born to Shine roadshow. They performed and taught dance classes to children.
Diversity appeared on many TV shows. These included Britain's Got Talent and Got to Dance. They also filmed the first series of "Ashley Banjo's Secret Street Crew". In this show, Diversity members helped teach street dance to small groups.
In March 2012, Diversity started their first UK arena tour. It was called "Digitized – Trapped in the Game". They sold out the O2 Arena in London. After this tour, Ian, Jamie, and Matthew McNaughton left the group. Later that year, they released a DVD of the "Digitized" tour.
Limitless Tour (2012–2014)
Diversity members were torch bearers for the 2012 London Olympic Torch Relay. They also performed at the Royal Variety Performance in 2012.
Got to Dance returned for a new series. Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely became backstage presenters for the show. They later got their own TV show.
In 2013, Diversity spent two months in Stockton-on-Tees. They taught many people to dance for the Sky1 show "Ashley Banjo's Big Town Dance". Jordan and Perri also hosted Jordan and Perri's Ultimate Block Party. They helped young people become dance troupes in just two days.
Diversity's third tour was called "Limitless". It ran from November to December 2013. In February 2014, Perri won the TV show Splash!.
The show Ashley Banjo's Big Town Dance aired in early 2014. It showed Ashley and Diversity bringing a town together through dance. Jordan and Perri also became the UK hosts for the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. They filmed adverts and video blogs for Nickelodeon.
In March 2014, Diversity announced a reboot of their "Limitless" tour. They also performed with Little Mix on Britain's Got Talent.
Recent Years: Tours and TV (2015–Present)
In 2015, Diversity had "The Exclusive Tour – Up Close and Personal". Jordan and Perri hosted the Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Awards again. Diversity even got "slimed" by Nickelodeon!
Since 2015, Diversity has performed shows and taught dance classes at Butlins resorts. They are often joined by other dancers and members of Diversity Juniors.
In 2016, Ashley Banjo hosted the BBC show Can't Touch This. Diversity also appeared on Tonight at the London Palladium. They returned to Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway for special performances. Jordan Banjo also took part in I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2016.
In 2017, Diversity launched their "Genesis" tour. This was their seventh UK arena tour. From December 2017, Diversity made their pantomime debut in Dick Whittington in London. Sadly, in July 2017, former member Robert Anker passed away in a car accident.
Ashley Banjo became a judge on the ITV show Dancing on Ice in November 2017. Diversity also performed a special Christmas show.
Diversity Tours
- Britain's Got Talent Tour (2009)
- Diversitoys (2010)
- Diversitoys Christmas Special (2010)
- Digitized – Trapped in the Game (2012)
- Limitless (2013)
- Salute Tour With Little Mix
- Limitless The Reboot (2014)
- The Exclusive Tour – Up Close and Personal (2015)
- Butlins – Up Close and Personal (2015–Present)
- Genesis (2017)
- Dick Whittington at the London Palladium (2017–2018)
- Aladdin at the Cliffs Pavilion Southend (2018–2019)
- Robin Hood and His Merry Men at the Cliffs Pavilion Southend (2019–2020)
- Ignite (2018)
- Born Ready (2019)
- Connected (2022)
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
- at the Cliffs Pavillion Southend (2022)
- at the Mayflower Theatre Southampton (2023)
Diversity DVDs
- Diversity: Dance.Fitness.Fusion (2010)
- Diversity Digitized: The Live Tour 2012 (2012)
Images for kids
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A robot dancing
See also
In Spanish: Diversity para niños
