Dancer ‘Short Man’ stands tall despite discrimination

"Some people will say I'm too short," says dancer and entertainer O'Neil Elliot, who stands just over one metre (about t 3' 2") tall.

Referred to as 'Short Man' by dancehall artiste Pamputtae, and those close in his circle, the dancer accepts the moniker but expressed discontent with being called a 'dwarf'.

Short Man, 33 told THE STAR, "This is how God mek me and I don't like to be labelled. Dwarf is not my name or my mission. My name is O'Neil Elliot."

He created quite the stir at Sting, after joining Pamputtae and her dancers Izzy and Thanise Thickas on stage. It was a memorable moment of his 10 years dancing professionally, he said.

"It was the first time I ever been to a Sting or on that stage since me start dance at 23 years old. I feel good to be performing with the artiste and her dancers, knowing my career as a dancer can go further than the street," he said.

"My talent a nuh something fi sit on. I always tell people nuh fi watch me height, watch me talent. And I see where the audience at the show appreciate that and me strength. Nobody never a trouble me there. Dem did happy fi see me and all want to see me perform more."

Short Man, who was raised in three different children's homes in Kingston including the Alpha Boy's Home, St Andrew and St Ann, said that he has suffered discrimination from birth but dancing was his escape.

He shared, "I never knew my parents. It start from there so. I spent about 22 years living in homes. People discriminate against what them don't know but me a mek dem know who I am."

The dancer anticipates an eventful 2023 and has dreams of giving back to the homes and wards through mentorship. He said that he believes he is changing expectations in his role and by standing tall in his efforts to fight against discrimination that persons of his stature experience daily.

"No matter what, nobody can change the way I feel. Of course me had to build up my confidence, but it does not have to do with just me height. I want people to learn my name and Sting was a blessing for me to let people know who I am and what me capable of doing," Short Man said.