Mayte is a fantastic bellydancer. She has a naturalness that comes with experience, ability, and instinct.
There have been some who think she wasn't all that talented and promoted by others.(family, prince) That aggravates me.
I'll tell you why.....Ballet comes to mind? You have four year olds in a studio....where the field is acceptable.
Those who think learning bellydancing at an early age is unusual? not so....some of the best bellydancers are gypsies and it's learned very very early.

I see Mayte in Prince videos and she is wonderful and underestimated. love the finger cymbals.....in all, she's contributed more than anyone realizes.
[Edited 6/13/07 20:56pm]

I agree. I was very impressed with the choreography she did with The One video. very beautiful.

Is she doing anything with her dancing? I think I would rather her go that route than the acting thing.

once a bellydancer always a bellydancer....

wonder505 said:

I'd like to see her dance more, but bellydancing dosn't quite earn as much as acting. The best bellydancers in the Middle East marry wealthy husbands, and retire and teach dancing. The husbands don't allow them to perform, unless for dignitaries and such.

I love Mayte's bellydancing. Bellydanceing is very poplar. Shakira is very good. People like Aaliyah and Bitney Spears has done a little bit of belly danceing but not the real thing like Mayte and Sharkira.

Purplestar88 said:

I've observed the suttle and obvious influnce bellydancing has had over the years. I love it! Shakira has a stenghth with her moves. Very definitive. EVERY dancer has her own style. The last time I was in Turkey and watched the top dancer at a show.....no interaction with the audience, looked bored. Never made eye contact with anyone.....ummm that's not bellydancing! You can be perfect with your moves: but, no passion NO interest on my part.
Mayte simply had a freshness that was heartfelt.

xplnyrslf said:

That was Turkish bellydancing which is different from the more interactive caberet style bellydancing that is popular in the States. I prefer Egyptian or tribal style of bellydancing which is far more flamboyant and much freer. The first time I saw Turkish style I was bored too.

LQ

Mayte is wonderful, she's my favorite of all his women.

I love Mayte. I think she is beautiful, and I agree- I liked to watch her dance. I believe she is the one who taught Britney Spears the dance moves in the "Slave for You" video.

Shakira is another one. I don't like her voice so much, but she moves like liquid!

LadyQ said:

The other Turkish dancers who danced prior, smiled at the crowd and seemed to enjoy dancing. This particular dancer was a very attractive blond with a gorgeous body. Maybe she was having a bad day. I believe she had won "dancer of the year" or something. Maybe the competition lost because they weren't "distant" enough. Ha!

I liked Mayte's dancing. I took dance lessons from the time I was 2 until 15 or so. It's not easy. Some people just aren't that coordinated. Ever seen Elaine from Seinfeld do her dance? Point made.

My hubbie found a bellydance video on limewire (he's going to e-mail it to me as I don't have limewire)
Anyhow, it's a video of an Egyptian wedding, and a woman walks in with 3 body guards, gets on stage in street clothes, and dances. He said she was fantastic. (he lived in Turkey and traveled in the middle east and knows ggod bellydancers)
Did Mayte ever put out a video of her bellydancing? not associated with prince.

I'm also a fan of Mayte dancing my favorite when she bellydance. I hope in the future she will be feature on screen or touring solo at different dance theaters. I went to a few dance theaters events to see other amazing bellydancers and if Mayte was there dancing flashback the memories.

I read that she might be in the upcoming movie Charlie Wilson's War the movie is schedule to come out late 2007 and her role will be acting and bellydancing. I hope she will be seen in that movie and also Tom Hanks and Julie Roberts suppose to be in that movie, and just about any movie with those two actors I know it will be good movie.

kondwanii said:

Sorry to say but the last I heard the director cut her from the movie, but who knows maybe things have changed, though nobody's mentioned it.

morningsong said:

Yes, I read also somewhere else recently that her role might be cut someone on her myspace group asked her just waiting to read the confirm from her on her website it still mentions it.
[Edited 6/15/07 22:39pm]