This weekend, Irish hip-hop dancer Jessie Thompson is set to represent Ireland in a global street dance competition.
Taking place in Frankfurt, Germany, Red Bull's Dance Your Style World Finals will see street dancers from across 45 countries battle it out in the dancefloor, all in the hopes of winning over a live audience.
Already a hit in the US and beyond, the high-energy battles bring outrageously talented dancers from around the globe to showcase an impressive range of street styles including hip-hop, popping, locking, house and more.
After winning last month's national final in Dublin's Dundrum Town Centre, Ireland’s hopes rest on the shoulders of hip-hop dancer Jessie Thompson, who is set to be Ireland’s first ever representative.
"It actually feels really special, for it being the first time Ireland is here, I already feel like there's a win in there," says Jessie, proudly wearing her 'Irish Princess' t-shirt from This Is Pop, a reproduction of the famous number once seen on the late Sinead O'Connor.
"I think it's amazing that this event has happened in Ireland," she adds, "I think it puts a really nice spotlight on the Irish freestyle scene in particular. I think there's a really nice family feeling in the freestyle scene."
"For a little island on it's own I think we're dong what we can, but you can always do better so let's keep it going."
RedBull Ireland invited a group of journalists and online content creators to cover the event (and cheer Jessie on from the audience), but it seems that the Dublin woman has an endless stream of support all of her own.
"I have so many people supporting me, friends and family - and everyone is in my heart."
"The support has actually been overwhelming, in an amazing way, and it's all coming on the stage with me tonight. No matter what happens, the support means the world. That support is what will continue things like this happening, and dancers growing, so keep it up!"
"It means the absolute world and I'll try my best to do us proud."
A professional dancer and choreographer across theatre and film, Thompson focuses on hip-hop and contemporary dance styles, but says this competition has brought a new set of challenges.
"I really try to stay present in my body and not let the overwhelming environment take me out because you can leave your body and do mad things," she laughs.
"This is a competition that is more commercial songs, charts, so it's not the music that I usually battle to, so I've been challenging myself. That is the challenge."
The 22-year old Dubliner trained from a young age in the Irish dance scene, and says that meeting with so many street dancers from around the world in the run up to the finals has been truly inspiring.
"I'll definitely be bringing a massive dose of inspiration home with me," she insists. "Seeing the level of the other finalists has been beautiful to watch."
Thompson will battle it out with representatives from competing countries in a pre-final event tonight, November 2, to secure one of the coveted eight spots on the World Final stage.
The top eight national winners that qualify will join eight invitational wildcards for the final battle on Saturday, November 4.
The winner will be chosen by a participatory audience voting to surprise music. With no panel of judges, no planned choreography, and no pre-chosen music, it's all about embracing the moment, wowing the crowd and moving to the beat.
Be sure to follow all the action on the RTÉ Lifestyle social media channels.
