Leilani Franco was born on September 4, 1986, in England. She spent her childhood in Manila, Philippines, where she began her journey in the world of performing arts. At a young age, Leilani showed a passion for music, dance, and physical activities, which led her to study piano, dance, martial arts, and gymnastics.
At the age of sixteen, Leilani joined the Philippine Ballet Theatre, where she honed her skills in dance and performance. It was during this time that she discovered her talent for contortion, a unique and challenging form of physical artistry. Determined to pursue her passion further, Leilani went on to earn a diploma in contortion from the prestigious École nationale de cirque.
Leilani's dedication and hard work paid off when she began to showcase her contortion skills on a global stage. She caught the attention of talent scouts and was invited to participate in various talent shows and performances.
In 2012, Leilani gained widespread recognition when she appeared as a semi-finalist on the popular television show Britain's Got Talent. Her jaw-dropping contortion acts mesmerized audiences and judges alike, earning her a spot in the spotlight.
She continued to showcase her talents on Das Supertalent and even had the honor of representing Turkey in the 2011 Eurovision song contest as a dancer. Leilani's versatility as a performer allowed her to work with renowned companies such as Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Eloize, and Little Big World.
Leilani's exceptional contortion skills have not gone unnoticed. She has set multiple Guinness World Records for her remarkable feats of flexibility and agility. One of her most notable records is for traveling 20 meters in a back-bent position in just over ten seconds. Additionally, she holds a record for the fastest contortion-roll over a distance of 20 meters, completing the task in just under 18 seconds.
Despite her international success, Leilani remains grounded and connected to her roots. She continues to draw inspiration from her upbringing in Manila and strives to give back to her community through her artistry.
Leilani currently splits her time between London and Berlin, where she continues to push the boundaries of contortion and performance art. Her dedication to her craft and relentless pursuit of excellence make her a truly exceptional talent in the world of gymnastics and contortion.