Nia Dennis Is the UCLA Athlete Making Gymnastics that Much Cooler with This Viral Floor Routine

Nia Dennis is back at it again. The UCLA gymnast went viral last February for her Beyoncé-inspired floor routine, garnering praise from the likes of Vice President Kamala Harris, Gabrielle Union, and she later performed on “The Ellen Degeneres Show.” On Saturday, Dennis attracted more fanfare for her latest showing.

The UCLA senior competed during the NCAA college gymnastics season opener meet in Los Angeles against Arizona State with a floor exercise sampling Tupac’s “California Love,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble” as well as tracks from Missy Elliott and Soulja Boy.

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While her routine was filled with usual tumbling flips and splits, it was the crip walk and heel-toe that brought some freshness to the sport. She even hit the woah. Dennis also added stepping in her routine as a shout out to Black fraternities. “I had to… for the culture,” she posted a clip on Instagram with the choreography.

Her 9.95 score from her floor exercise helped her team clinch the win.

“This is what #blackexcellence looks like. @DennisNia does it again!” UCLA Gymnastics’s Twitter account posted following the performance.

Her routine once again went viral, causing Amy Schumer, SZA, Vanessa Hudgens and Juliette Lewis to give Dennis well-deserved praise.

Outside of floor, Dennis also is known for her skills in beam, uneven bars and vault. She has been competing since 2006. Last year, UCLA took home the 2019 NCAA bronze medal, and in 2018, the team won first place.

Watch Dennis’ floor winning floor-exercise below.

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