A woman has revealed how she went from living on a council estate and selling sweets in the playground to being a successful dancer for stars across the world – earning up to £4,000 a pop.
Olivia Beckford may now lead a glamorous lifestyle filled with celebrities and backstage parties – but this wasn’t always her reality.
The 27-year-old grew up on a council estate in Manchester, where she lived with her mum, Janyce, 67, and her six siblings.
While money was tight, she recalls never missing out on any opportunities, but when her passion for dancing started, Olivia decided to make her own cash in a bid to achieve her goals.
Now, she has worked with celebrities such as Demi Lovato and Nicki Minaj, as well as on shows, including The Voice and The Brit Awards.
“At school, people knew I’d be waiting during break times and afterward with bags of sweets for sale,” Olivia, a professional dancer, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“I loved being so close with my family and the area wasn’t that bad, but I knew there weren’t any opportunities here to achieve my dream.
“I saw how hard my mum worked and how much she tried for me, even when it was difficult, so my mentality shifted more towards making my own money.
“I always got whatever I asked her for, but I never really noticed her struggle until I found out she made personal sacrifices to pay for the things I wanted.
“I was so moved by what she had done for me, so I became even more determined to get on my own feet financially.
“She always made everything look so seamless and I know things weren’t easy, so I’m really proud of her.”
Olivia grasped the aforementioned lucrative idea of selling sweets during school on the playground, which soon helped her earn extra cash to put towards her dream.
Alongside reception work, cleaning jobs, and teaching kids, she had quickly saved up enough to make dancing her main career.
Then, in 2014, her breakthrough gig came when she participated in an open audition to perform as Cheryl Cole’s backing dancer on the X-Factor.
She said: “I was quite shocked, as it was for such a big celebrity in a huge city – it seemed so far-fetched and out-of-reach.
“I was so overwhelmed.”
Since then, she’s signed with an agency in Los Angeles, US, and has toured across the world in countries such as Germany, Canada, America, and Dubai.
While she’s had to sacrifice her time, mental space, as well as physical and emotional well-being, Olivia claims it’s all been worth it.
The 27-year-old said: “You have to stay focused and be extremely disciplined to even be in with a chance, so it doesn’t always align or allow for a social life.
“I will still perform for as long as I can, but I’ve now started up my own dance company.
“I have also written a book and I really want to step into motivational speaking, as I have a lot of advice to offer.
“A big dream for me would be to open a youth centre providing dance classes and other social activities for free.
“I want youngsters to have easy access to the opportunities that I never had. I’VE ADDED THIS IN, IS THAT OK?
“I aim to be an example and a physical representation of what determination, hard work and consistency can grant you.”
Now, she’s working with Sweaty Betty, JD and Nike on their campaigns, but is also dedicating time to sharing her success journey.
Olivia added: “No journey is linear and I’ve failed, faced financial difficulties, lost jobs and had to face my fears many times.
“But what I’ve learned is that the struggle gives life meaning and purpose.
“Nothing happens overnight and it’s all about being consistent, ignoring the advice around balance, as there isn’t any when it comes to chasing a dream.
“I know it’s extreme, but if you want to further your chances, you’ve got to go all in.
“I feel proud, but also very humble, as what can be built over all these years can be taken away in an instant.
“My family are very proud of me, they tell me nearly every day.
“I also think it’s positively impacted what any of us saw as impossible – I’m living proof that dreams can come true.”
