In the video, Embla explains that she was recently booked to perform a pole dancing routine at a senior center, and shows snippets from her performance.
The video also features a few audience members who took their turn on the pole and some who later asked Embla for autographs.
So far, Embla's video has 26.7 million views, 6.4 million likes, and an incredibly supportive comment section that is absolutely loving her video.
I spoke with Embla, 27, from Oslo, Norway, who recently quit her corporate job to focus on pole dancing full time. Embla said that she normally performs for younger crowds at events and parties, but was excited to perform at the senior center as entertainment for their spring party. She said, "I’ve never performed at anything like this, so I didn’t know what to expect."
As seen in the video, Embla added that she was excited by the positive reception that her performance received, and said, "The seniors absolutely loved it...In one way, the seniors were more playful, grateful, and eager than most crowds. I was positively surprised."
Embla said that her performance was only about 10 minutes, but she stayed for about an hour afterwards answering questions from the audience, and showing them different moves. Noting their curiosity, Embla said that it prompted her to invite the seniors to come up and try pole dancing for themselves, and added, "Some of them came up more than once, and they bloomed up when I and the others applauded them!"
Embla said that she wanted to film her experience at the senior center to encourage a wider audience for pole dancing, and explained, "I wanted to show that this is a sport and art form that lots of audiences can enjoy. I think a lot of seniors would be happy to see different kinds of performers at centers and homes, and it’s also great for performers to explore new types of arenas to show off their art." While she was surprised, but pleased, by the attention that her video received, she said, "I really want the sport to become more commercial, and let people see how cool it is."
