Radio City Rockettes dancer shares her show day preps

STORY: For eight decades the Radio City Rockettes have made their precision kicks and synchronized dance moves look natural, however dancer Sophie Holloway recently revealed some of the hard work that goes into each performance and a few lesser known facts about the dance company.

Australian-born Holloway has been a Rockette for six years and said she still pinches herself everyday.

"I'm very blessed that I get to live like two lives almost, my Australian life and my New York life here as a Rockette. It's really, really special knowing that young women really, really look up to you, and young kids. And I do teach a lot of young people and knowing how inspiring this job is for girls all around the world makes it super special."

Holloway first auditioned when she was 20-years-old and booked the job during the open cast call.

The veteran starts her day by warming up her body.

"We like to do this stretch called a 'bottoms up,' which is like really good for our hamstrings because we do 300 kicks per show. So, it keeps us really, really warm and nice and stretched out for that."

The company is made up of 80 dancers split into two casts, one for the morning and the other for evening shows. Only 36 dancers perform onstage at a given time, with four swings available to fill in when needed.

Each dancer does her own hair and makeup in one of the three dressing rooms inside Radio City Music Hall.

"We do like a classic lash and a red lip. And putting fake eyelashes on is challenging, but you need your classic eyelash glue and your false eyelashes. I like to put mine on with a tweezer."

While the 90-minute "Christmas Spectacular" show seemingly hasn't changed much over the years, Holloway said it's still different no matter how many times you've been in the show.

"You're in a different position in the line. You do new choreography every year. There's different women to dance with you. So, I mean, yes, there's repetition and tradition, but I can say that I've had a different experience every year."

The "Christmas Spectacular" runs until January 5.

(Production: Hussein Al Waalie, Alicia Powell)