Mavericks Dancer Natsuki

Natsuki was born and raised in Japan. When she watched the Mavs games on television while she was in Japan, she noticed that the dancers were beautiful and that their dancing was great. Natsuki was filled with excitement!

Natuski was a professional cheerleader in Japan with the Kajima Deers for 6 years. While dancing there, she still dreamed of being a US professional cheerleader. She can still remember watching a Mavs game on TV in 2007-08 and felt Mavs Dancers was the right team for her. She decided to audition because she wanted to be a part of such a great team.

Natsuki’s favorite past time is caring for animals, which is why we love her also! We just had to feature her!

ASIANCE: What training do you have and do you think one needs to become an NBA Cheerleader?

Natsuki: I go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week. Often times, I will go before and after official practice to better memorize and hone particular aspects of a dance or a routine. I do a spin class, Yoga, Body pump, and running and sauna. Of course I practice dance over and over again.

Dancers need physical and emotional strength, so we have to do hard training.

ASIANCE: What did your family think of you pursuing a different career path besides the traditional Asian careers our parents push us into?

Natsuki: They were afraid for me, because they thought I would be all alone here in the US. We talked many times about how important dancing in the US was for my career and how I planned to be safe here. They are proud of me and my career now.

ASIANCE: When did you realize that you wanted to be a Dallas Mavericks Dancer?

ASIANCE:Who is your current favorite Dallas Maverick player?

Natsuki: Dirk Nowitzki

ASIANCE: Who is your favorite basketball player of all time?

Natsuki: Dirk Nowitzki

ASIANCE: What is the first thing you notice in a man?

Natsuki: Depends on the situation.

ASIANCE: What qualities do you look for in a boyfriend?

Natsuki: Sweetheart, hard worker, loves animal.

ASIANCE: Do you have a celebrity crush on someone who is in the public eye that you would like to date? We want a feel for your type!

Natsuki: Jason Statham

Natsuki

ASIANCE: Name three words that describe you.

Natsuki: Honesty, Passion, Fun.

ASIANCE: What is your favorite activity to do in Dallas?

Natsuki: Going to museum, bar, club, any kind of restaurant.

ASIANCE: What is your best feature?

Natsuki: My smile.

ASIANCE: What is the most adventurous thing you have done?

Natsuki: When I went to Belize, I took a rough Mexican “chicken bus” to Belize. It took a long time and many crazy adventures happened. Too long to write about here!

ASIANCE: What is the best part about being a Dallas Mavericks Dancer?

Natsuki: I got great teammates and great staff. They are like my family.

ASIANCE: Do you think that Asian/Asian American Women are finally making strides on the professional cheerleading squads?

Natsuki: That depends on the squad.

ASIANCE: What is the greatest accomplishment in your life thus far?

Natsuki: 2010-11 NBA Championship Parade in Dallas.

ASIANCE: Where do you hope your NBA Cheerleading experience will lead you to?

Natsuki: I want to teach dance to Japanese young ladies.

ASIANCE: How do you manage to look so perfect throughout the game?

Natsuki: Sauna, workout, long sleep, eat Japanese food.

ASIANCE: Do you have any “beauty secrets” that you can share with our readers?

Natsuki: I am always thinking positive things. It makes me smile. Smiling is the most important thing for being beautiful.

ASIANCE: What advice do you have for young girls aspiring to become NBA Cheerleaders?

Natsuki: Being prepared not only physically but also emotionally.

ASIANCE: What do you like of this Jeremy Lin phenomenon? Asian on the court!!

Natsuki: Go Asian!!!

All photo credits go to www.mavs.com