The Tamesis
Turning 30 is a major milestone, and the New York Liberty and Ellie Elephant kept that in mind as they brainstormed ways to celebrate their 30th season in the WNBA. All eyes will be on not only the team to start the season with a win (which they did!), but also on its beloved mascot, Ellie. Allie’s halftime show has become a huge event for Liberty fans – and everyone Everything else is online – so the team has to scale. Nothing says legend like an ode to the late, great Whitney Houston.
The decision to create a show inspired by this true diva is a tribute to Houston’s connection to the New York Liberty, which goes back to another important milestone for the team and the WNBA. “We wanted to present Ellie’s first halftime show of the season in a way that was both nostalgic and New York-specific, taking us back to the first WNBA All-Star Game,” said Criscia Long, senior entertainment director at Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. [in 1999]Hosted by the Free Press, it featured Whitney Houston performing her iconic rendition of the national anthem. “
“When I think of Whitney, I think of legacy,” says Ellie the Elephant Fashion. “So many people have been inspired by her presence and performances. She nurtured generations of singers through her timeless artistry. I strive to leave a legacy that exudes confidence, originality and inspiration.”
Photo: Marcus Stevens/ESPN Images
Training to be Ally Houston
The show has been months in the making, with Ellie diving into rehearsals and training to get ready for halftime. Ellie’s workout regimen mainly consists of running a few miles a day (Whitney’s playlist is queued on Spotify) for cardio. Although rehearsals are physically demanding, Ellie and her team also need to be mentally prepared. “I’ve researched everything: [Whitney’s] Ellie said: “Her voice, her movements, her energy, her presence. I spent hours immersed in her performances and interviews, making sure every detail felt real.” This is an even more impressive athletic feat considering Ellie is an elephant.
Narrowing the catalog of the great Whitney Houston down to just five minutes wasn’t an easy task either. Long and her team worked with DJ Jay Jung to create a tight, hit-packed set list. What started as a medley of 15 career-spanning songs was whittled down to a dynamic six – “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “How Do I Know,” “It’s Wrong But That’s Okay,” “I’m Every Woman,” “I Will Always Love You” and “I Want to Dance with Someone.” “We have to be intentional about pacing,” Long said. “Balance soaring vocal moments with high-energy sections to keep the energy of the show going from start to finish.”
