A COMMONWEALTH Games “cleaner” has become a global internet sensation after videos of him dancing and doing the splits hit social media.
CJ Miller, who delighted crowds at the SEC Centre in between bowling matches and basketball games, has become known as Mop Man, and he says the last few days have been “surreal”.
“It’s wild, being interviewed by newspapers and live television and radio, even in Australia! I am a performer but this is a different ball game,” he says.
And the “secret” is out – the 25-year-old is not really a cleaner after all.
“I think the clue is in the way the vacuum cleaner plug is just waving around there,” he says, grinning.
“Not one inch of the Commonwealth Games is cleaner because of my input. I was always employed as a ‘flash mopper’ if you will …”
Freelance dancer, choreographer and teacher Miller, who is originally from Livingston and now lives in Newcastle with his husband Lewis, was employed by the Games to help entertain crowds during breaks in the sporting action.
“It has been a lot of fun and the crowds have been brilliant,” he says. “The atmosphere is great. I love Glasgow, and it’s been lovely to spend some more time here.
“I know nothing about sport. I do a bit of pilates and some yoga and that’s my lot. Although I do now understand the rules of 3x3 basketball, and can explain it to anyone who asks.”
Miller was not your typical child dancer “in a tutu since age three”, he admits.
“I came to it much later, and it was actually the film Billy Elliot that inspired me,” Miller adds. “I was about 14 when I joined the dance club at high school, and it was my amazing teacher, Ailsa Stryke, who really supported and nurtured me.”
He reveals: “I was actually going to study law, when I changed my mind and trained as a dancer instead.”
Actor and singer Miller now runs a dance training programme called Fifth Dimension Initiative, which includes a focus on injury prevention.
His highest profile jobs before the Games were playing a backing dancer in James McAvoy’s directorial debut film California Schemin’ earlier this year, and a spot on TV period drama The Buccaneers. His main passion is education, he adds.
“I’m inspired by the old Hollywood dance routines, which are so emotive, full of comedy and colour,” he explains.
“That’s what I want younger generations to enjoy, the chance to perform safely, have fun and build up their success.”
After the Commonwealth Games end on August 2, Miller is off to the Edinburgh Fringe where is choreographing – and for one night only, performing in – Braw Venues’ production of A Chorus Line.
“It has been amazing to work on this show,” he says. “Our lead, a fantastic actor called Kayleigh McGowan, can’t make one of the dates so I will be covering her role as Cassie, and I can’t wait.
“It’s what I want to do more of – branch out a little, do more performing, and create some gorgeous works of art.”
