Oxygen Media’s new inspirational docu-series, The Prancing Elites Project, is a bonafide hit. The show is the highest rated series premiere since the network’s rebrand, bringing in 1.13 million viewers.
The series follows an African-American gay and gender non-conforming dance team comprised of Adrian Clemons, Kentrell Collins, Kareem Davis, Jerel Maddox and Timothy Smith.
The group is challenging societal norms while overcoming several obstacles with passion and wit on their journey to be their authentic selves. The series takes a deep dive into the personal lives of these five best friends in Mobile, Alabama, as they fight to be accepted in the female-dominated dance culture of J-Setting.
In an interview with theGrio, The Prancing Elites opened up about overcoming discrimination and hate from their community.
‘There is actually a lot of hardship that comes with different events that we do, in particular the parades are one of them,” Adrian said. “We do hear bad things. Sometimes people throw things. It’s just a lot that comes with The Prancing Elites territory.”
Kentrell adds that, surprisingly enough, the discrimination often comes from within the gay community.
“The hardest part is not being accepted by the [gay] community. We’re not speaking for the gay community, but it’s hard when they don’t accept it.”
The group later opened up about their idol Beyoncé and performed a quick set to her dance track “7/11.”
Catch an all-new episode of The Prancing Elites Project tonight on Oxygen at 10/9c.
Follow theGrio.com’s Entertainment Editor Chris Witherspoon on Twitter @WitherspoonC.