Interview: Miss Belly Dance UK 2010

In April this year, Delilah won the title of Miss Belly Dance UK 2010. She competed with 13 other participants in a nationwide competition for up and coming belly dancers. I wanted to find out more about this inspiring young woman so here’s what Delilah has to say:



How did you prepare for the competition?

After I picked the song I just danced. I let the music tell me what to do. It didn’t take me long to put it all together and indeed there were parts within my piece that were improvised. I just loved the song Salaam Ya Amm, and felt it went with my personality.

How did you celebrate your win?

I was very tempted to perform my victory dance on stage! However, I just settled on giving a hug to all of the judges.

Why did you become interested in belly dancing?

Truthfully, I didn’t know how to dance. I couldn’t connect my body to the music at all. Considering I am of Caribbean descent, for me it was very embarrassing. So I started learning belly dance to learn moves.

Who is your ‘Idol’ in the belly dancing world?

Although there are many dancers I admire for different reasons, I would say it would have to be Suheir Zaki. She dances beautifully and can hold an audience without props and no elaborate choreography. She exudes a wonderful presence.

How would you describe your belly dance style?

Warm and fluid with a good shimmy!

Where are you going to go with your belly dancing from here?

I plan to expand my repertoire and am learning saidi and shamadan. I would also like to start teaching soon. In the future, I hope to be dancing internationally.

What advice do you have for future ‘Miss Belly Dance UK’ competitors?

Pick a song that best shows your personality and style. Most importantly, pick something you love because it shows in your dancing. Also to show 2 people – someone who knows your style, such as your teacher, and another person who hasn’t seen you dance as much.


More About Delilah…

“I am an Egyptian style dancer whose warm, bubbly and at times quirky personality shines through the music.”

Delilah, otherwise known as Delia Lewis, is an Egyptian-style belly dancer from London who has been belly dancing since the tender age of 15. Apart from her passion for belly dancing, she is a self-confessed video game and anime geek, and is also a keen kitchen gardener.

At just 26 years of age, Delia has already started making her own belly dance costumes which she plans to sell in the near future. She studied anthropology at Oxford University and The School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS). Delia continues to enjoy learning about other cultures.