THE GREATEST DANCER
M&S team member Monique wowed the judges at our open-call casting session to bag a starring role in this year’s Christmas advert
“I’ve been dancing since the age of three and have performed across the UK and internationally, but I’ve never done anything like this before,” says Monique, hospitality manager at our Marble Arch store, who was snapped up at the staff auditions to star alongside the professionals in this year’s M&S Christmas advert. “I learned ballet as a child and went on to train in tap and jazz, later joining local groups to learn hip-hop, popping, locking, breaking, house, salsa and bachata,” she explains. “The audition for M&S colleagues was held at a studio space, and there were maybe 10 of us altogether. We were called into a separate room individually and asked to freestyle to a track in front of the choreographer and a cameraman.” Before filming the ad, Monique attended a two-day rehearsal in which she learned the signature dance moves alongside the cast. “I was so nervous,” she reveals, “but everyone made me feel welcome – it’s an experience I’ll never forget. There was such a positive energy on set and it was so much fun. I felt like I’d stepped into Christmas.”
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