Tegan Browne-Winter, a plus-size dancer from Watford, Hertfordshire, is using her role in the new Wicked film to inspire others to follow their ambitions, regardless of body type.
Browne-Winter, 23, has become a beacon of empowerment for aspiring dancers after overcoming early criticism about her appearance and abilities.
Raised in an environment that discouraged her from pursuing a career in the arts, Browne-Winter was repeatedly told she needed to lose weight to succeed in dance.
“People would tell me I was a good dancer, but the recurring message was I needed to lose weight, was too big, or didn’t look the way the industry wanted,” she recalled.
Determined to overcome these challenges, Browne-Winter continued to pursue her passion for dance. In 2022, she attended workshops where she was spotted by a choreographer working on Wicked and offered a role in the film.
Her appearance in the viral dance scene alongside Ariana Grande in What Is This Feeling? has drawn significant attention, with fans recreating her moves and sharing their versions online.
“It’s been amazing to see people from my dance company want to learn the choreography,” she shared, expressing her excitement at seeing the dance come to life on screen.
In addition to her memorable scenes in What Is This Feeling?, Browne-Winter also appears in Dancing Through Life and other sequences set in the iconic Ozdust Ballroom.
Despite her critical self-reflection, she praised her co-stars, especially Grande, for their kindness and involvement during rehearsals.
“Ariana was so friendly and spoke to everyone. She would be the first person to go around and say hi to people every morning,” she recalled.
Browne-Winter, who filmed her scenes in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, spoke about the surreal experience of working on such a grand set. “It honestly felt like we were in a different world,” she said, describing the immersive atmosphere of the Wicked production.
The dancer expressed her pride in the film’s commitment to diversity, both in its cast and dancers.
“To see another plus-size dancer in the room was so exciting,” she said, noting that she almost quit dancing due to self-doubt but ultimately pushed forward to provide the representation she never saw growing up.
Now, Browne-Winter hopes her story can serve as an inspiration for young people who may be discouraged from pursuing their dreams.
“If they’ve got the talent, the drive, and work hard, they can make it in whatever they do,” she said.
