From Chinese dance schools to the pinnacle of British ballroom
In short: Nancy Xu’s journey from a young student in Huaihua to a global stage highlights the rigorous discipline required for elite performance. By mastering Latin dance and joining world-renowned troupes, she transitioned from competitive championships to becoming a staple of television's most prestigious ballroom circuit.
Nancy Xu began her professional trajectory at age 8, honing her craft at the Guangzhou Dancing School in China. Competing at a high level early on, she reached the U21 World Championships final during 2010 and won various awards, such as placing third in the 2010-2012 CBDF National Amateur Latin Championships plus finishing second at the 2013 International Singapore Championship.
Her transition to international stardom accelerated in 2015 when she joined the global dance company Burn the Floor. This period of touring provided a platform for her to showcase her expertise before entering the British media landscape. Her status as a multi-talented artist was cemented when she competed in the finals of So You Think You Can Dance (Chinese version) throughout 2014.
Xu became a recognizable figure on Strictly Come Dancing starting in 2019. Her career on the show is notable for its variety: she initially appeared as part of the professional group dances without a celebrity partner for two series. It wasn't until the nineteenth series that she was paired with Rhys Stephenson, eventually reaching the semi-finals and finishing fourth.
Her television career continues to diversify through film and special events. In 2025, she starred in the short film Dakota Stone alongside Katya Jones. Additionally, her technical precision has been highlighted in various Christmas Specials, including a 2023 performance where she earned a perfect score of 40 points for a Quickstep with Jamie Borthwick.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Nancy Xu
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