August 8 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts and Entertainment Source: Adeline Kerry Cruz’s Olympic performance is steeped in family legacy

At only 10 years old, Adeline Kerry Cruz is already a world-renowned dancer. Any remaining doubt was erased when she took the Paris stage alongside her mentor, Jr Maddripp, to kick off the Olympic Games. The only performer her age in the opening ceremonies, Cruz’s participation welcomed a new generation to the lineup of performers.

Dancing the energetic, expressive Krump style that has rocketed her to fame in the last three years, Cruz performed “Silent Legacy” by French choreographer Maud Le Pladec. The piece focuses on empowering the community, but it was also significant on a personal level for Cruz.

“I wanted to show everyone what Krump is,” said Cruz, adding that she wants more people to join the dance style. “It’s kind of a small community because the dance style is pretty new.”

As the third generation of artists in her family, the young dancer from Montréal knows a thing or two about the power of community. Adeline inherited her affinity for movement from her mother, Mandy, a former acrobat, and her grandmother — none other than Benicia’s very own Annabelle Marie.

Beginning with Marie, and also with her daughter-in-law, the generations have amassed a wealth of shared experience that have now passed on to Adeline.

“The legacy has culminated in a little girl only 10 years old, born with all the best of all of us,” said VOENA director Marie. “Already a gifted songwriter and singer and now a world-famous dancer of Krump.”

With her own artistic pursuit mostly revolving around “music, music, music,” and Mandy’s focus on contortion, Marie marvels that her granddaughter embraced both: “It feels she is like from another world because she’s that talented and gifted at what she does. And only 10? Really? I have to constantly pinch myself to believe it.”

Adeline’s exposure to artistic movement started in classes focused on the physical side of art and the dance part evolved organically from there.

“She found Krump on her own,” said Mandy. The work ethic is what we instilled the most, said Mandy, as well as following through on her dreams.

“There’s no better feeling than seeing your child do something they love, and be happy doing what they love,” reflected Mandy. Watching her daughter thrive onstage, Mandy was filled with pride at the effort Adeline puts into her craft. The physical movement and the artistic expression is a familiar experience for the former acrobat. We all know what it takes to be an artist, said Mandy.

“As an adult, you feel like you need to sleep and rest and get ready for the show, but a child getting ready for a show is much different,” said Mandy. To accommodate the energy levels of a 10-year-old, Mandy is always packing their tour schedules with pool trips, museums, shopping and amusement parks. This high-energy style of travel helps balance out the pressures of performances by making tours a constant source of excitement and discovery.

Even during artist events, Marie says her daughter-in-law always tries to find “the other ‘child’ in the room and play time begins!”

“This is when she is truly a 10 year old again,” says Marie.

Despite having a career often associated with someone a decade or two older, Adeline’s time in Paris is the story of a loving daughter first and a talented dancer second.

“The best part about being in Paris was spending time with my mom,” said Adeline, listing off their adventures which included riding on a boat for the first time, a Macaron workshop and making perfume. “She’s the best, and she does so much for me.”

Originally Published: August 6, 2024 at 4:52 p.m.