The World Needs More: Laila Ali

I recently completed a lengthy creative project. When it was all filed away, what did I do? I watched TV! Specifically, Dancing With the Stars.

One of the best parts of the show was Laila Ali. I had heard of her as a boxer. I don't really get into boxing, so her awesomeness was a surprise to me. The bottom line: she is a classy, classy lady. Who will BEAT YOU DOWN. She was the only woman left for the last month of the contest. Every time she danced, she looked graceful and gorgeous. She has muscles. But you would never guess that she's a boxer who won her first bout in 31 seconds. 31 seconds! POW!

We need more women like her in the world. What I mean by that: she's providing proof, in a mainstream outlet, that enormous strength and femininity can coexist in a woman. And to top it all off, she's surrounded by men who aren't threatened by her badassness.

In this video, her partner Maks, aka Hot Stuff, is being a jerk. She shows him that's not acceptable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TlU_4ghWKQ

In all fairness, Hot Stuff was man enough to apologize the next time he saw her. Also, he was on the record as saying that if Laila didn't win, it was his fault (he must be feeling lame, because they ended up in third). Pay attention, world! Hot Stuff is arrogant, but he knows that Laila deserves respect.

Here they have some fun with Laila's fiancee while rehearsing for the rumba:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kepw1NoP0bI


I wish Laila and Maks had won. Their dancing in the finale was great, and I love what they're doing with gender roles. But their freestyle was just not on the same level as Joey's, and the chemistry between them was far more subtle than Apolo and Julianne's.

The winners:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swpt6lPco7c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJB1_AquG8w


A commercial where Laila boxes her Dad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOe2jZ1T1qg