Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrianne Harris.
Hi Adrianne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a native Angelino. I started my dance/cheer career as a Little League Cheerleader at the age of eight, and I used to “make up” Mickey Mouse Club dances as a youngster. I’d get my friends, and we would put on shows in my backyard, using my mom’s sheets on a clothing line as a curtain, and charge a quarter to “get in” to the show. The neighbors would show up! I was a Little League cheerleader until I aged out at 14, and then I started training the younger cheerleaders and choreographing dance routines. When I entered High School, I became a part of the drill team and was named Co-Captain in my very 1st year. We entered competitions and always placed, usually 1st place. While in High School, I also danced on “American Bandstand”! What a blast…1985-1987. When I was 18 in 1987 (I graduated high school 1986 and had to wait a whole year because I was still too young to audition for teams), I auditioned for the Los Angeles Raiderettes (Raiders cheerleaders), and I made it to the finals but not the team. I auditioned for the Laker Girls made it to the finals, but not the team. I used the next year to sharpen up my dance skills and get in even better shape. In 1988, I beat out 1000+ hopefuls and was awarded a spot on the Raiderettes, where I stayed and cheered for six seasons (1988-1994).
During that time, I was captain 5 seasons and won every award there was to win (Rookie of the Year, Dancer of the Year, Raiderette of the Year, and Wanetta Horton Award/Most Inspirational). I also attended the University of Southern California at the same time, I was cheering, so I’d be a screaming USC student at the LA Coliseum on Saturdays, and then I’d don my boots, silver and black on Sundays as as sexy sideline lady. I was a great student so I was able to handle the load until graduating in 1991. In my last season with the Raiders, I decided I wanted a change and auditioned for the Laker Girls again in 1993, feeling more confident and mature than six years earlier. Once again, I made the finals but not the team, so I decided a change of scenery was what I needed. I flew to Dallas to audition for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, made the finals but not the team. By this time, this pattern was really getting “old” but being the go-getter I am, I’m never defeated. I auditioned for the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleaders and made the team. I cheered there for four seasons, getting the amazing opportunity to cheer in Super Bowl XXIX (and winning,…I have a Super Bowl ring!), serving as captain 2 seasons, and being voted on by my teammates to represent the organization in Hawaii for Pro Bowl 1997. I also got to serve our country by going on a couple of neat USO Tours to other countries to visit our servicemen and women. What an honor!
After 10 seasons in the NFL, it was “time”. Time to move on. I moved back to LA and danced on my church (First AME, Los Angeles) praise dance ministry and also danced with Caribbean Spectacular (a West Indian Carnival-style dance troupe). At this time, I was also very active in my acting career, landing some co-star and guest star roles on cool shows like “Martin” and ‘Days of our Lives”. I also did some commercials and stage plays. For some reason, the bug bit me again, and I decided to move yet again back to the Bay Area. Now by this time, the Raiders had moved back to Oakland. So at 32 years old, I auditioned for the Oakland Raiderettes and earned my spot. I went on to cheer for four seasons, finally retiring from pro cheerleading for good. But I did get to serve as captain for two of those four seasons, cheer in another Super Bowl XXXVII (the Raiders weren’t victorious, but it was a blast!), and go on two more USO Tours to visit our service men and women. From 2004-2019, I danced around in classes and continued to act here and there. I also worked for the LA Clippers as a Floor Manager for a few years, so I was still in and around the spaces and places I loved so much, sports entertainment. In 2019 I started teaching Soul Line Dance and quickly built up a nice group of dancers who loved my style of teaching and the energy I bring to my classes. Then…Covid hit. Never one to give up, I continued teaching on Zoom. I had even more dance students now because they could virtually attend class from all over the country, sometimes out of the country. Then my students desired MORE from me. More than just line dance, I started teaching hip hop, breathe/stretch classes, and pom pom classes too.
Soon I was invited to teach dance virtually for my Alma Mater USC and when COVID lightened up, I was asked to actually come in to teach dance at the three fitness centers (where I still teach today)! I had now secured an amazing dance agent (BLOC LA, who I’m still represented by) and was auditioning again (virtually and in person, having booked a large commercial and some fitness projects) and still teaching line dance here and there and was awarded “Turbo Woman Line Dance Award” at large line dance convention attended by many all around the country. It was very special since the committee who gave me the award never saw me dance in person, just online. They felt the love and passion via social media. I love teaching, but the performance bug bit me again in March 2023, and I decided to audition for the LA Sparks Ole School Crew (a crew of dancers over 40). Our games ran from May to August, and it was a blast! I danced my heart out and really “showed up” for senior dancers, especially since I was second from the oldest at 54. I’m ready for my next adventure. J-Lo or Janet Jackson may need some hot, energetic, over-50 dancers…wink wink…I’d be ready!
I’M EXCITED…Especially coming off my 1st season dancing for WNBA LA Sparks, Ole School Crew…getting to represent and support Los Angeles and women’s sports. In my first season dancing with the Sparks, I quickly became a FAN FAVORITE based upon my positive, long time affiliation with the LA sports scene (LA Raiders, USC, Clippers…from staff to ushers and janitors!) Their friendly face was back!
“In her rookie season…AAAAADRIANNE!” 
What a Gift! 
(Take a couple minuteAlso my YouTube channel is designed for the average person who wants to simply get up and move and dance. As a trained professional dancer, I realize there’s a whole group of people who need and want to feel something by simply moving your body. I already put in it in the submission but I am attaching my YouTube (and also my Instagram) for quick reference, so you can get a feel for me.
Contact Info:
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Because I have a high commitment to excellence, a strong work ethic and will to succeed, I conduct business that way. It makes things easier and makes the road smoother. Sometimes no matter how “ready” you are, things may not go your way and also being in an industry as competitive as dance and acting, one will not land all the roles desired. I’m in an interesting space of looking too young to be older/mature but being a little too mature to be young. That I’d say is my “struggle” right now. But my agent knows how to represent me well and what to send me out on. I also am AUTHENICALLY ME! It’s the only way to be. Sometimes the struggle is to understand why you didn’t get this part or role and such but I always believe what is for me is for me and what’s not is not. I always do my best…even when I got the opportunity to audition for a HUGE opportunity (that I didn’t book) like Lady Gaga tour last year, In Living Color Fly Girls in 1990 or Lion King ensemble in 1998. I take away something positive each time. I feel extremely blessed to have amazing experiences like dancing on American Bandstand as a teen in 1986 and 1987…it’s a complete gem I’m so grateful for. It centers me when I feel like I’m struggling to understand the business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Currently I get so much joy from teaching others, especially young people (like college age). I teach a beginner Hip Hop class and a Soul Line Dance class at USC now and I love it. The students come in so ready to learn and get moving and that inspires me. I am available for and have TONS of experience, teaching, private dance lessons…(bridal showers, baby showers, special occasions, weddings, couples, etc…). I’m also available for dance/acting performance opportunities. I enjoy creating fun YouTube dance-along/“follow the leader” content/videos that bridges the gap between all ages, nationalities, genders, walks of life, etc
As a constant performer/artist/creative and forever dancer, I am also a working dancer/actor with an agent BLOC LA, and am always on the lookout for new opportunities. In a perfect world, I’d be working more and dancing all the time, but I just know when it’s my time, it’s my time, and I trust my agents to find the right projects for me.
Honestly, I’m most proud of my work ethic and the glitter and rainbows I leave behind once my interaction with someone is over. I have a gift of connection with all types of people. My ability to make people FEEL. I’m proud of my squeaky-clean reputation in the dance world and all the worlds I’m a part of. I’m also very proud of my USC degree/relationships and happy I still get to work there part-time and be a part of the Trojan Family. I am also very proud of the daughter, sister, friend that I am to my family and many others.
Lastly, the most obvious thing that sets me apart is my amazing, colorful 14-season career as an NFL Cheerleader. (14 years, one of the longest-running tenures with any NFL organization) Yes, it was a great time of games, photo shoots, dance, friendship, parties and such. But I was in the NFL from age 18-36…very formative years. It was a finishing school of sorts…an extension of the strong foundation and core values instilled in me, set by my mother. So yes, you can get a dancer and a dance instructor “anywhere” but very rarely will she be or have been an NFL cheerleader, especially for as long as I was honored to be one. And with that experience and title comes something very special, something different, something intangible.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I have my own YouTube channel, which inspires me, to be honest. I dance with myself and imagine dancing with the “million” folks I hope are dancing along with me. It’s a “Dance Along” channel.
My channel: Adrianne AH
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgJF8Re4CIgPzF3pJDmMbzg
Speaking of YouTube, I am subscribed to Motiversity, a channel with some of the most powerful speakers in the world. It’s about achieving goals, striving to be your best, following your dreams, and keeping it pushing.
I find alot of power and strength from within.
