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US priests’ dance off video goes viral US priests’ video dance-off goes viral
(about 11 hours later)
A video of a pair of duelling, dancing American priests studying in Rome has gone viral, following in the footsteps of an Italian nun whose Alicia Keyes-like voice won her a singing contest and a record contract. A video of a pair of duelling, dancing American priests studying in Rome has gone viral, following in the footsteps of an Italian nun whose Alicia Keys-like voice won her a singing contest and a record contract.
The Rev David Rider, 29, of Hyde Park, New York, and the Rev John Gibson, 28, of Milwaukee, first shot to internet fame when they were filmed in April during a fundraiser at the Pontifical North American College, a seminary up the hill from the Vatican.The Rev David Rider, 29, of Hyde Park, New York, and the Rev John Gibson, 28, of Milwaukee, first shot to internet fame when they were filmed in April during a fundraiser at the Pontifical North American College, a seminary up the hill from the Vatican.
Rider warmed up the crowd with a lively tap-dance routine, only to be pushed aside by Gibson’s fast-footed Irish dance. Soon they were battling it out, trying to impress the onlookers.Rider warmed up the crowd with a lively tap-dance routine, only to be pushed aside by Gibson’s fast-footed Irish dance. Soon they were battling it out, trying to impress the onlookers.
At the back of the room, a journalist, Joan Lewis, recorded the event and later posted it on YouTube.At the back of the room, a journalist, Joan Lewis, recorded the event and later posted it on YouTube.
“All of a sudden the numbers started rising and rising,” she said. The video has nearly 260,000 views.“All of a sudden the numbers started rising and rising,” she said. The video has nearly 260,000 views.
Their internet success has drawn comparisons to Sister Cristina Scuccia, who in full habit won the Italian edition of The Voice in June with a series of unadorned pop song performances. Her first album features a cover of Madonna’s Like a Virgin. Their internet success has drawn comparisons with Sister Cristina Scuccia, who won the Italian edition of The Voice in June wearing full habit, with a series of unadorned pop song performances. Her first album features a cover of Madonna’s Like a Virgin.
As with Scuccia, the priests’ online popularity was tinged with criticism. Some commentators wrote that the priests should not have been dancing under a crucifix and a painting of Pope Francis, calling it “disrespectful”.As with Scuccia, the priests’ online popularity was tinged with criticism. Some commentators wrote that the priests should not have been dancing under a crucifix and a painting of Pope Francis, calling it “disrespectful”.
“We would just refer them to the Bible,” Rider said, “where the Lord tells us to live with joy.”“We would just refer them to the Bible,” Rider said, “where the Lord tells us to live with joy.”