Beat Freaks is an all-female breaking dance crew from Los Angeles, California. Each of its ten members have achieved individual success dancing before taking part of the group, which was created in 2003. The Beat Freaks were featured on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew (Season 3) and finished the show as runners-up.
Overview
In 2003, seven original members came together to form the crew, being: Alison "Al*Star" Faulk, Teresa "Ragdoll" Espinosa, LindseyB "OUTTHERE", Julie "Lady Jules" Urich, Keeley "LockN' Key", Rino Nakasone, and Marie "Maryss from Paris" Courchinoux. All original members, minus Nakasone and Courchinoux, had previously worked together in another group called the "Groovaloos." When the crew decided to participate in America's Best Dance Crew, they recruited Alex Welch "BGirl Shorty". BGirl Bonita integrated in 2010; she, too, took part of the group "Groovaloos" with the seven original members. In May 2015, the crew added another member, Randi Fleckenstine. With the exception of Rino and Maryss, all members were born and raised in the United States. Rino was born in Okinawa, Japan, and Maryss was born in Paris. Each of the crew members have appeared in music videos, films, and tours with world-renowned artists that include: Pink, Britney Spears, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Miley Cyrus, Chris Brown, The Jonas Brothers and Avril Lavigne. As individual dancers, they have made appearances on: "You Got Served", "Step Up 2: The Streets", "Stick It", "Prom Night", "Go For It!", "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam", "Shake It Up" and "B-Girl", which stars Lady Jules as the main character. In 2008, the crew was featured in the highly publicized dance battle YouTube videos with Miley Cyrus, dancing beside Miley. They also had an appearance in Justin Bieber's music video for "Somebody To Love". In 2010 they were voted Best Female Dance Crew at the World of Dance Awards.
Members
Alison "Al*Star" Faulk
Alison Faulk, commonly known as Al*Star, hails from southern Florida. She was unable to participate in America's Best Dance Crew, because she was on tour with Pink at the time. She does not specialize in one particular dance style, and claims that she is an "all styles" dancer. She is one of the original members of Groovaloos and a part of the stage show is based on her life.
Teresa "Ragdoll" Espinosa
Teresa Espinosa was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from CalArts (California Institute of the Arts) she toured the world with Janet Jackson on The Velvet Rope World Tour, and got nominated for an Emmy in additional choreography that year. She specializes in freestyle and is inspired by Michael Jackson among countless others. She has worked as a choreographer on the Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert and has toured with Britney Spears, on her 2004's world tour Onyx Hotel Tour. Teresa is a faculty member at the hip-hop dance convention Monsters of Hip-Hop. She is one of the original members of Groovaloos and a part of the stage show is based on her life.
Lindsey "LindseyB Outthere" Blaufarb
Lindsey Blaufarb was raised in San Antonio, Texas. Lindsey started off in musical theater and athletics, then later started hip hop dancing at the age of 17. She was an Air force brat and was constantly moving around.
She is inspired by her own members, having admired them before joining the group. She has been on tour with Pink and Avril Lavigne. She is one of the original members of Groovaloos and a part of the stage show is based on her life.
Jules "Lady Jules" Urich
She has many years experience doing commercials, music videos, and much more. Some commercials she has been featured in include Wal-Mart, GAP, Nike and Jolly Rancher. B-Girl Jules starred as the main character whose dreams of being a break dancer are put on hold when she is stabbed. Jules is also an animal rights activist. She works closely with a charity called The Cat House on the Kings and is a strong supporter of PETA. She is one of the original members of Groovaloos and a part of the stage show is based on her life.
Jules is the one who made the first headspin ever from a lady in the fourth episode of America's Best Dance Crew which is considered the Wack Track challenge.