>> THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS ALL ABOUT BELIEVE. AND IN TONIGHT’S STORY TO SHARE, BRITT LEONI INTRODUCES US TO THE FORT MYERS DANCER, WHOSE DREAM CAME TRUE. >> EVERY HOLIDAY SEASON AMONG THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS THAT ALL THE CROWDS AT THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE IN NEW YORK CITY. >> WHERE THE PERFORMERS WHO SHINED BRIGHT. FOR OVER 6 DECADES, THE ROCKETTES HAVE ROCKED THE STAGE. >> BUT I HAVE TO DO ALEXIS CAMPBELL IS ONE OF THEM. I STARTED DANCING AT THE AGE OF MY MOM WAS A DANCE TEACHER. AND I WAS ALWAYS IN THE DANCE STUDIO WITH HER GROWING UP. CANDLE GREW UP IN FORT MYERS DANCING EVERY WEEK TOWARDS THAT ONE. 18 GOAL IN HER HEART. >> I THAT I WANTED TO BE A ROCKETTE AND JUST AUDITIONED A LOT AFTER WEEKS OF WAITING MONTHS OF AUDITIONING AND YEARS OF TUITION IN 2023, HER HARD WORK PAID OFF. I RECEIVED THE PHONE CALL AND IT WAS JUST A DREAM COME TRUE. SINCE CALL, CAMPBELL STEPPED ONTO THAT NEW YORK CITY STAGE FOR 3 SEASONS. >> WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAINTAIN THE ROCKETTES STANDARD? >> YEAH. SO HER 6 HOURS A DAY, 6 DAYS A WEEK HERE AT FOR CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR. I HAVE MET SOME WEDDING. I MET SOME FAMILY EVENTS. BUT AGAIN, IT’S ALL COMING BACK TO THAT INNER CHILD OF CHEATING THE STREAM THAT AND JUST BEING SO HAPPY AND HONORED TO BE A PART OF THIS LEGACY HERE. >> TONIGHT ON CHRISTMAS REMINDED THAT NO MATTER HOW BIG DREAM. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. WE JUST BELIEVE. IN FORT MYER
Fort Myers native fulfills dream as New York City Rockette
Updated: 6:37 PM EST Dec 24, 2025
Among the sights and sounds that awe the crowds at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City each year are the performers who shine bright.Performers, like the Rockettes. For over six decades, they’ve rocked that parade stage.”I can’t believe that this is what I get to do,” said Rockette Alexis Campbell.”I started dancing at the age of 3. My mom was a dance teacher, and I was always in the dance studio growing up,” Campbell said.Campbell grew up in Fort Myers dancing every week towards that one, aching goal in her heart.”I knew I wanted to be a Rockette,” Campbell said.After weeks of waiting, months of auditioning and years of wishing, in 2023, Campbell’s hard work paid off.”I received a phone call, and it was just a dream come true,” Campbell said.Since that call, Campbell’s stepped onto that New York City stage for three seasons.”We rehearse six hours a day, six days a week here,” said Campbell, whose dream hasn’t been short of sacrifices. “I have missed some weddings, I’ve missed some family events, but again, it’s all going back to that inner child of me achieving that dream, and just being so happy and honored to be a part of this legacy here.”On Christmas Eve, we’re reminded that no matter how big the dream, anything is possible if we just believe. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
Among the sights and sounds that awe the crowds at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City each year are the performers who shine bright.
Performers, like the Rockettes. For over six decades, they’ve rocked that parade stage.
“I can’t believe that this is what I get to do,” said Rockette Alexis Campbell.
“I started dancing at the age of 3. My mom was a dance teacher, and I was always in the dance studio growing up,” Campbell said.
Campbell grew up in Fort Myers dancing every week towards that one, aching goal in her heart.
“I knew I wanted to be a Rockette,” Campbell said.
After weeks of waiting, months of auditioning and years of wishing, in 2023, Campbell’s hard work paid off.
“I received a phone call, and it was just a dream come true,” Campbell said.
Since that call, Campbell’s stepped onto that New York City stage for three seasons.
“We rehearse six hours a day, six days a week here,” said Campbell, whose dream hasn’t been short of sacrifices. “I have missed some weddings, I’ve missed some family events, but again, it’s all going back to that inner child of me achieving that dream, and just being so happy and honored to be a part of this legacy here.”
On Christmas Eve, we’re reminded that no matter how big the dream, anything is possible if we just believe.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.