By By MaryClaire Foster
Traveling on a plane or going to New York City for the first time is a memorable experience for anyone, but doing both those things to get to perform on live television takes the cake in Tejay Sims’ mind.
Sims, a former Atmore resident, will be performing on BET’s weekly music video countdown show “106 and Park” as part of their Wild-Out Wednesday segment.
Sims will perform with his dance group, Elite Dance Team, live tonight at 5 p.m. competing against three other teams. The star performer of the show will be hip-hop artist T-Pain.
Sims passion for dancing began at an early age. His mother, Doetiletia Sims, said her son was always dancing around and began imitating his uncles’ dance moves.
She said after moving to Huntsville four years ago he became more involved and dedicated to dancing.
Dancing is how Sims spends all of his extra time now.
Sims joined Elite Dance Team after a friend saw him perform.
The competition was held in Atlanta this past summer. Sims’ team won third place in the overall competition and first in the competition that won them a spot to perform on BET.
Sims said when he found out they were going to be on BET, he was extremely excited.
Sims’ group will be performing hip-hop dances for the show, but he also participates in Christian, ballet and break dancing.
About tonight’s performance, Sims said he was nervous at first, but now is excited and ready to perform.
He said he wants to use this as an opportunity to further a possible career in dancing.
Sims’ mother said she and his family are very supportive of him and look forward to seeing what this opportunity will bring him.
Sims also expressed his desire to be an inspiration to others.
After each group performs viewers are asked to log on to the BET Web site, www. bet.com and vote for their favorite group.
The two groups with the highest votes will perform again competing against each other and viewers will vote for their favorite of the two.
Sims will also perform in a production of “The Nutcracker” in Huntsville this December.