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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 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 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.” |
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