Show & Tell: Aidan Te Puke of ‘Thunder From Down Under’

Meet Aidan Te Puke

“Thunder From Down Under”

Hometown: Hamilton, New Zealand

Age: 30

Mother is half Scottish and half Maori, and father is Maori. … First dance experience: performing Maori dances around age 5. (“Dance and music are a big part of our culture.”) … Grew up in New Zealand but spent his teenage years in Australia. … In his teens, started doing hip-hop performances with a group of friends. … Became “passionate” about rugby around age 12; signed his first pro contract at 19 and played professional rugby for more than six years. … Being tagged in a Facebook picture by a friend led to an offer to join “Thunder.” … Toured with “Thunder From Down Under” before joining the Las Vegas cast about four years ago. … Rides a Kawasaki motorcycle and would one day like to own his own motorcycle shop.

On dancing for a living:

“Music and dancing have always been passions of mine. They’ve always been something I’ve loved, but I never thought I could make a career out of it. I consider myself pretty lucky. The two things I love most in the world — rugby and music — I’ve been lucky enough to do both of them and make them a job.”