From Skies to Sways: Flight Attendant’s Dream of Belly Dancing Takes Off

Lizzie Abou Chedid, who comes from Cheshire, used to work as a flight attendant, traveling around the world and helping passengers on airplanes. When the Covid lockdown started, she found herself with more free time and decided to take up belly dancing lessons online while living in Dubai. She enjoyed the classes so much that her dance teacher suggested she could become a performer and even teach others as a side job. Lizzie noticed that there were not many belly dancers left in Dubai because many had left during the pandemic, so she started performing almost right away, even while she was still working part time as cabin crew.

After having her son, Lizzie moved back to Cheshire with her husband and child. She was worried that she would not be able to find as much work as a belly dancer in the UK as she did in Dubai. However, another performer recommended her to a UK agent, and she quickly got her first job performing in a restaurant. From there, her career took off, and she now performs at venues across north Staffordshire and the North West. Lizzie also teaches belly dancing in Nantwich and Market Drayton, so what started as a side hustle has now become her full-time job. She says it is fantastic to be able to do something she always dreamed of, even when she was flying, although it once seemed like a far-off dream.

Lizzie practices her routines in her home studio, where she has mirrors, a dance floor, and costumes. She says there are many misconceptions about belly dancing. Some people think it is just about wiggling, but it actually takes a lot of training to move different muscle groups and to teach your body to move in separate blocks. Lizzie believes belly dancing is a wonderful form of exercise and helps people feel more confident about their bodies. She sometimes performs in colorful costumes and even balances a sword on her head during shows. Her experience as a flight attendant helped her become more confident in front of people, as she was used to being watched by passengers for long flights. She learned to laugh at herself and not take things too seriously. Now, living in a rural area, Lizzie is known in her village as the belly dancer, and she enjoys being seen as unique and sharing her passion for dance with others.