Lombard dancer makes her mark on 'Shake it Up!'
Lately, when Jade Whaley is out in public, she'll get stares and shy waves from parents and children.
Some people have asked for an autograph or a photo, and a few of her preschool dance students have pointed at her and shouted, “I saw you on ‘Shake it Up!'”
Whaley, a petite seventh-grader at St. Pius X Parish School in Lombard, is flattered but unfazed by the attention she's received since appearing on the Disney Channel's first dance competition for kids and tweens, “Make Your Mark: Ultimate Dance Off — ‘Shake it Up' Edition,” which aired Oct. 14 and 16.
Whaley was picked as one of six finalists from more than 30,000 audition tapes sent in to Disney Channel.
Even though she didn't win, Whaley said it was a fun experience and she learned a lot about dancing and show business.
“My life hasn't really changed. It's just a new accomplishment I've had, and a new experience that I've had,” Whaley said. “I don't always win first, and I'm not always last, but I always try my best.”
Whaley danced in front of the cameras and an American Idol-like panel of celebrity judges, including Disney star Selena Gomez and singer Sean Kingston. Then she and the other finalists were assigned to work with a different celebrity choreographer. Whaley got Janet Jackson's longtime choreographer, Gil Duldulao.
“I was so excited,” she said. “It was hard work, but it helped my dancing a lot. It's good to learn another person's style rather than just doing my own.”
Viewers voted for their favorite dancers online or via text. So many votes came in that the voting website went down.
Whaley read on a blog that she finished in second place, but a spokeswoman for Disney Channel said they are only revealing the winner.
The vote totals could have been in the millions, as the highly rated show drew more than 4 million viewers for each of its two episodes, according to the network. Each person was allowed to cast five votes.
Whaley's mother, Carol Whaley, said Jade got upset while watching the finale on TV at home, fearing she had disappointed people. The opposite was true.
“I'm so proud of her. It's been crazy, but it's been fun,” Carol Whaley said. “It's been a blessing, and (Jade) says the same thing.”
Whaley's longtime dance teacher, Kelly Callese, owner of Aspirations Dance Company in Lombard, said it doesn't matter what place she finished in, because Jade did such an outstanding job.
“I was so emotional and so proud watching her, it was like she was my own kid,” said Callese, 30, of Wheaton, who was seen on the show in footage of Jade's training. “This is the beginning, and many doors will open for her now ... and no one deserves it more than she does.”
Competing since age 3A dancer since age 2 and a competitive dancer since age 3, Jade Whaley and her sisters routinely made videos of themselves dancing for fun. This summer, when Jade told her mom she made a video and was sending it to the Disney Channel, her mom said, #8220;Yeah, OK.#8221;
#8220;I didn't think anything would come of it,#8221; Carol Whaley said.
Within weeks, they learned Jade had made it to the top 20, and then the top six.
The Disney Channel surprised Whaley with the good news in August, during a family meal at Roundheads Pizza in Lombard. Then they flew Whaley and her mom to Los Angeles to spend a week taping the show.
It wasn't a relaxing week. Whaley danced for 12 to 14 hours a day, and in her spare time, did 20 hours of schoolwork with a network-hired teacher.
When talking about her experience, Whaley was more excited about seeing her name on a dressing room door and the miniature sized toilet in her room, rather than meeting celebrities or being on TV.
Having trained at Aspirations Dance Company her whole life, Whaley now helps teach their preschool classes (where the students call her #8220;Miss Jade,#8221;) and dances five days a week. She's in a competitive dance group, FIERCE, which has won every competition it's ever entered.
Whaley said she doesn't envision a future as a performer, but rather, as a dance teacher. She'd like to start her own school that somehow mixes academics and dance.
Those who know the wholesome, 4'5#8221;, smiley, middle schooler believes her future could involve the Disney Channel.
#8220;She has the attitude, the stage presence and the ability to shine,#8221; Callese said.
#376; Dann Gire and Jamie Sotonoff are always looking for suburban people in showbiz. If you know of someone who would be good to feature, send a note to dgire@dailyherald.com and jsotonoff@dailyherald.com.