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Tony Mantor's : Almost Live..... Nashville

Jennifer Jones: the journey to be the first African American Radio City Music Hall Rockette

Tony Mantor's : Almost Live..... Nashville

Tony Mantor

Actresses, Music Interviews, Songwriters.musicians, Tv & Film, Entertainment, Actors, Music, Singers, Nashville

5.03.2K Ratings

🗓️ 3 February 2026

⏱️ 28 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Breaking Barriers: Jennifer Jones' Journey to Becoming a Rockette and Beyond In this episode of Almost Live Nashville, host Tony Mantor interviews Jennifer Jones, the first African American Radio City Music Hall Rockette. Jennifer shares her inspiring journey, from her unexpected audition for the Rockettes to her historic debut at the Super Bowl 22 halftime show. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of breaking racial barriers, her other accomplishments as an author, cancer survivor, ...

Transcript

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0:00.0

My career in the entertainment industry has enabled me to work with a diverse range of talent.

0:19.0

Through my years of experience, I've recognized

0:22.7

two essential aspects. Industry professionals, whether famous stars, or behind-the-scenes staff,

0:30.3

have fascinating stories to tell. Secondly, audiences are eager to listen to these stories,

0:36.2

which offer a glimpse into their lives and the evolution of their life stories.

0:40.3

This podcast aims to share these narratives, providing information on how they evolve into their chosen career.

0:47.3

We will delve into their journey to stardom, discuss their struggles and successes, and hear from people who help them achieve their goals.

0:55.4

Get ready for intriguing behind-the-scenes stories and insights into the fascinating world of entertainment.

1:04.0

Hi, I'm Tony Mantor. Welcome to Almost Live Nashville.

1:08.2

Joining us today is Jennifer Jones. Jennifer made history as the first African American Radio City Music Hall, Raukat,

1:15.6

breaking racial barriers and paving the way for future generations of dancers.

1:20.6

She made her national debut during the Super Bowl 22 halftime show,

1:24.6

marking a transformative moment in her career and the legacy of the Rockettes.

1:30.2

She has become an award-winning performer, author, and advocate celebrated for her pioneering

1:36.1

achievements and powerful storytelling. She's also the creator of the dancing Jen doll,

1:41.6

promoting representation and diversity for children everywhere.

1:45.0

She is also a colorectal cancer survivor and passionate advocate for awareness and early detection

1:51.0

using her voice to inspire hope and resilience.

1:55.0

Most recently, she has been officially inducted into the Joint Is Jumping exhibit at the Hollywood Museum, a tribute to black artists,

2:02.6

performers, writers, and sports figures, opening February 19th. She now stands among legends

2:07.9

including Whitney Houston, Lena Horn, Denzel Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Oprah Winfrey,

2:14.4

Diana Ross, Whoopi Goldberg, Muhammad Ali, and many more.

...

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