May 21, 2025

239. A New Image: Sydney Mesher Transforms Dance & Disability

52 minutes

Sydney Mesher on Disability Representation, Kicking Down Barriers, and Changing the Entertainment Industry

In this episode, trailblazing performer Sydney Mesher shares her journey as the first visibly disabled Radio City Rockette and her mission to transform representation in entertainment. Born without her left hand, Sydney reveals:

Her transformative experience making history with the Radio City Rockettes and performing on iconic stages

The often overlooked reality of navigating dance training and professional choreography with a disability, including the mental gymnastics of constantly adapting instructions and movement on the spot while never wanting to disrupt the creative process

The profound importance of portraying disabled bodies as desirable and sexy in media—a taboo topic that Sydney addresses with remarkable candor—and how the absence of such representation affected her own self-image growing up

Creating more examples of her in the world with her book “She Kept Dancing”

As a multi-disciplinary artist working across dance, modeling, and acting, Sydney exposes the stark contrast between being hired as a dancer versus being brought on as "inclusive talent," and her determination to change how the entertainment industry approaches disability. Whether you're a performer with a disability seeking representation or anyone passionate about creating more authentic and diverse art forms, this conversation offers both emotional honesty and inspiring insights for breaking boundaries and embracing your unique artistic voice.

Watch the full episode here!

Show Notes:

Connect with Sydney on IG

Buy Sydney’s book “She Kept Dancing”

Read Sydney’s ESPN article

Listen to Joe’s episode

Listen to the Seaweed Sisters episode

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