INSTAGRAM is a place where many stars of the future are showing off their talents these days – and one young Bradford contortionist is using the platform to make quite the name for herself.

Lexi Craven, aged nine, from Low Moor, has shot to fame on the social media site, gaining over 44,000 followers in the space of 10 months.

The craziest thing is the St John’s C E Primary School pupil was taught her newfound speciality purely on Zoom.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Whilst some children’s motivation slumped in the first lockdown, Lexi was twisting and turning in Game of Thrones star Pixie Le Knot’s online classes.

“She really made use of the lockdown,” said mum Julie, who has had plenty of messages from parents of girls inspired by Lexi.

“I was saying to her teachers she is doing her work, but she has just found this new thing and she is putting all her effort into it. She has been doing five or six classes a week.

“With contortion, when you are bending your body it can give you really bad headaches because you cannot breathe properly. She has had to learn how to breathe and hold the stance. She was quite flexible, but not to this extreme.

“It is alright being flexible but when you build the strength along with that it makes you even better. You have got to have the strength to hold certain positions. She has put a lot of time and effort into it.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Lexi finds the Instagram success, clothing sponsorships and photoshoot opportunities mind-blowing and cannot wait to get back into school to tell her friends more about it.

“I think she is really proud of herself,” Julie added.

“There have been some tears along the way with her saying ‘I can’t do this’ but I just tell her you can.

“It is hard at times, and there has been a lot of frustrations getting there. Then when she does achieve it, she is so proud of herself.

“When she sees the reaction, she is like ‘wow mummy why do all these people want to follow me?’ I say because you are good at what you do. It spurs her on to do even better.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

As for the future, the youngest of Julie’s three daughters, who also participates in dancing and gymnastics, has big dreams.

“I am just going to leave it with Lexi to see how it goes. This is the hobby she wants to do.

“School is more important so I want to make sure her education carries on as good as it can.

“She is always saying she wants to work in the circus when she is older.

“I don’t want to be a pushy mum, right now Lexi is just enjoying what she is doing.”