When senior Aleah Crew left school her sophomore year to join KIDZ BOP, she expected long rehearsals and constant travel. But her dream-come-true opportunity became even bigger when she performed in front of a sold-out crowd at the Anaheim Honda Center on Sept. 21, 2025 and later saw the concert turned into the Kidz Bop Live Concert Movie shown in theaters in January 2026.
Crew is scheduled to continue traveling with Kidz Bop through the fall, but she admits that she came close to abandoning her dream before booking her first show.
“Every time I auditioned, I wouldn’t get it,” said Crew, who had tried out for the kid-friendly group almost every year since age 8. “I was ready to give up.”
She auditioned for what she said would be her last time sophomore year. “I declined [their invitation] twice because I didn’t really want to do it anymore,” she said. “They kept inviting me, though, and eventually I thought, ‘Okay, maybe I should just try.’”
The decision changed everything.
Crew booked the job and soon found herself performing around the world, living on a tour bus plastered with the performers’ faces. She performed 65 shows in 50 cities in one year.
“It was funny because our faces were on the outside of the bus,” Crew said. “I always wondered if people recognized us while we were driving around.”
Crew says she remembers tuning into the GoNoodle Channel to watch KIDZ BOP, even singing along to “Kidz Bop Shuffle” at age 8. “I always used to dance and have the most fun listening to their music as a kid,” Crew said. Kidz Bop live events are considered one of the safest ways to allow children to experience their first concert.
The best part of being a Kidz Bop Kid, Crew says, is being an inspiration to young children. “After shows we do meet and greets, and kids come up to us saying things like, ‘How do I become a Kidz Bop Kid?’ or ‘I want to be like you someday.’ Seeing them get so excited and inspired is honestly really heartwarming,” Crew said.
But touring comes with exhausting travel schedules, late nights, long rehearsals, and being away from home.
“Definitely leaving my friends and family was the hardest part,” Crew said. “When you’re gone for a long time, it becomes kind of an out of sight, out of mind situation.”
Despite the distance, she says her support system remained strong. “My friends and family were really supportive,” Crew said. “They came to a lot of my California shows.”
Balancing school and performances was tough even though teachers traveled with the performers. “I had to be homeschooled while touring with Kidz Bop, and I hated it,” Crew said. “School gives me structure, social interaction, and people to collaborate with. I missed it.”
Ending a season’s tour was another difficult transition. “Coming back to school was hard because I had to adjust socially all over again,” she said.
Yet through all the pressure, she never lost sight of how blessed she is. “I truly love to dance,” Crew said. “I think people can see that passion.”
That passion for performance is also what earned Crew recognition as a 2026 OC Artist of the Year Finalist for dance, finishing in the top four among 107 competitors. Follow this link to read more about other FUHS OC Artist of the Year winners.
FUHS dance teacher Andrea Oberlander nominated Crew for the annual contest sponsored by the Orange County Register, recognizing not only Crew’s talent but also her commitment and perseverance.
“Nothing has really been handed to me,” Crew said. “I’ve worked hard for every opportunity.”
Crew continues balancing multiple artistic commitments. At school, she participates in the Academy of the Arts and NHSDA, while outside of school she dances professionally with the hip-hop team Gravy Babies and continues working with Kidz Bop.
“I stopped competing because I wanted to focus more on professional work instead,” Crew said.
Even after years of success she remains honest about the fears she carries into adulthood. “I’m nervous about not having a backup plan,” Crew said. “If dance doesn’t work out someday, I’m scared of not knowing what else I’d want to pursue.”
That fear is part of why she continues considering college despite already having professional opportunities available to her. “Now that I’m 18, I can work professionally as an adult, which means more opportunities and fewer restrictions,” Crew said. “I could dance behind artists, choreograph professionally, and take on bigger jobs.”
She understands how unpredictable a performing career can be. “If I did go to college, it probably wouldn’t be for dance,” Crew said. “I’d likely study something like marketing so I’d have another career path to fall back on.”
