Rare talent: Rylette practising her stunts.
KOTA KINABALU: She can make her limbs go “topsy-turvy”, twisting her body at odd angles.
That’s the flexibility of 14-year-old Rylette Bewsher, who is a contortionist in the making.
“I love how contortionists ‘fold’ and bend their bodies and limbs. I find it interesting. It’s quite difficult to do and even master but it can be done with consistent practice,” she said.
Her gift was discovered about 10 years ago by her mother Raina Ampun, who was dismayed at first.
“She called me and said ‘mummy look, I can do this’, and started bending her body fully backwards and holding onto her ankles,” said 35-year-old Ampun.
“I was so shocked. I screamed at her to stop. I told her that she was going to break her bones.”
But little Rylette was beaming proudly as she demonstrated her stunt to her mother for the very first time.
She had picked it up from a video on Facebook, which marked the start of her self-taught journey into the world of contortion.
Rylette, who is of Eurasian-Rungus parentage, would perform stunts every day, getting ideas from social media platforms, as well as talent shows such as America’s Got Talent.
The shy girl prefers to practise alone. But she harbours a dream of becoming a professional contortionist and perhaps even open a studio for those with this unique gift in Sabah.
Rylette’s favourite performer now is Sofie Dossi, who has been described as a self-taught contortionist and hand balancer.
Her parents have been supportive of her since.
They are raising funds to send Rylette to the 28th World Championships of Performing Arts in Long Beach, California, following an invitation from the organisers to take part in it in July.
She was invited last year but the family was unable to afford the trip.
The cost of the 12-day trip for the mother and daughter, which includes airfare and accommodation, plus the US$3,500 (RM15,750) entry fee, is estimated at RM40,000.
It is a sum which they must have by March 15, which is the confirmation date with the organisers.
Rylette’s father Winston Bewsher, who is a driver for a local company, is hoping for public assistance.
“My wife is a homemaker. We have three other children to care for, all younger than Rylette.
“I hope there are kind and generous people who will come forward and help make a dream come true,” he said, adding that he had also sent letters to state leaders to ask for sponsorship.
