Benjamin Watkins and his daughter Ava were filmed practicing a routine during a Valentine’s Day class at Houston’s Sassy Feet Dance Studio. In it, the two dance to Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain & Tennille. The purple tutu-clad little girl beams as she twirls with her dad, who is wearing all purple and black to match her. Benjamin’s happiness as he shows off his moves and his daughter is infectious
Benjamin spoke to Good Morning America after becoming internet famous. And he said he hoped it helps curb stereotypes around fathers showing up for their little girls.
“I think it is breaking the stigma as well [on] dads not being present or, you know, dads not being involved in their kids’ lives and all that,” he said. “So it is more than just a dance video.”
“That’s the ultimate thing,” he added. “Be there for your kids and create those memories. Because, you know, tomorrow is not promised. We can be here and be gone, you know, the next day.”
But more importantly, he was proud to show off his “fiery” little girl.
“She’s really just a light,” he continued. “And I don’t say that just because she’s my kid, even if she wasn’t, everybody sees it. Everybody says like, you know, ‘Ava is a star.’”
Ava is the youngest and smallest kid in her class, but Benjamin said she has “the biggest” personality, and he said that’s proof she’s “going places.”
Benjamin is also happy about the special memory that the video and internet fame gave them.
“It’s important to create those memories for them that they can hold on to and pass those down to their kids and so on and so forth.”