KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
October 19, 2019
By Natalie Cook Clark
Eight-year-old Sydney Russell wowed crowds at Walt Disney World when she danced along with a marching band on Main Street. The Katy girl is no stranger to the spotlight. She recently finished shooting her second film.
A Disney Vacation Gains National Attention
The Russells love Walt Disney World and they took a trip last month to celebrate their daughter, Sydney's eighth birthday and their 11th wedding anniversary.
"We surprised her with a trip to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique," says Tiffany Russell, Sydney's mom. "She chose Princess Tiana for her makeover because Tiana is her favorite princess. Sydney is inspired by the way Princess Tiana never gave up on her dreams."
After her makeover, the family rushed over to the Magic Kingdom so they could see as many princesses as possible with Sydney all dressed up. When they got there, a marching band was playing one of the songs from Princess Tiana's film, The Princess and the Frog. That's when Sydney started to dance.
"I was just being me and enjoying myself," says Sydney.
During her dance, a Disney photo pass photographer offered her his arm and escorted her out to join the marching band's performance.
"Dancing with the Marching Band was a magical moment," says Sydney. "I did not think the video would go viral! I feel blessed to be able to touch so many people."
The video has gone viral, and earned Sydney a lot of national attention.
A Little Katy Girl with Big Dreams
Sydney is not shy in the spotlight. The Katy girl fell in love with theatre when she was five years old when her parents took her to see "The Lion King" when it came to the Hobby Center.
"I really want to be on stage," says Sydney.
From then her parents put her in various theatre groups, including the Katy Homeschool Theatre.
Already Building a Resume
Sydney has already landed lead roles such as Tinkerbell in "Peter Pan Junior." Last summer she shot an independent film in Austin. She recently wrapped production on another independent, Make Yourself at Home, that was filmed in Houston.
Make Yourself at Home is directed by Jo-Ann Johnson and will be released in early 2020. It will be shown at several film festivals.
Sydney is represented by Michelle Hill with The Boysen Agency.