One of the most versatile acrobats at Cirque de Chine stands a solid 4’ 9” with her shoes on, but if you measure her heart, she’s about 6’ 7”. The real name is Wang Yi but she also goes by the nickname of “Princess.”
As a child of 8 years old, she was torn between wanting to do acrobatics or gymnastics. Her mother suggested acrobats as she thought it might be easier than gymnastics. “I made the right choice,” Wang Yi said through a translator. “Acrobats have taught me much about real life. Gymnastics is you performing. Acrobats are performing with others and that’s the way real life works.”
In acrobatic school, the early years are spent learning the basic skills. Wang Yi spent 2 years learning the basics and after that she started learning and doing some actual performances.
During this period, the instructors would evaluate the students, discover what act they excelled in and train them in that direction. Wang Yi’s problem, if you could call it that, was she was very good at many things. Her versatility and professionalism is why she is featured in several different acts within the show. She performs in the Shooting Star, the Diabolo act, Springboard, Big Wushu (a combination of acrobatics, gymnastics and cheerleading), and even as a dancer in the Contortion act.
Wang Yi’s spare time, such as it is as she practices and performs everyday, is spent with her hobbies of dancing, designing fashion and painting. Don’t mention shopping as she will be waiting at the front door, purse in hand and she will drop whatever she is doing to watch a cooking show to learn new techniques and receipts. She likes American food, including the fast food variety, but still prefers Asian cooking.
Deanna Sorge knows a few things about Asian cuisine, and food in general, as the Seymour resident is the Marketing Manager for the new combination restaurants; Thai Thani, Thai food at its best; Oishi Japanese cuisine and the Grand Italian Kitchen, all located under the same roof in Sevierville.
Deanna also appreciates the Asian culture. “I absolutely love the Cirque de Chine show,” she says. “I’ve seen it three times this year and will probably go back before the season is over.” Deanna adds, “I was a gymnastic student in high school so I can appreciate the training that goes into this show. All the acrobats are fantastic but Wang Yi stood out because, to be on the small side, her athletic ability is gigantic.” When the two met, they did find a mutual appreciation in athleticism and, you guessed it, food.

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