LSU Rhythms of Success: Two-Time Tiger Girls Dance Champion Sets Her Future Dreams in Motion

Darah Haidet's roots are purple and gold.

"From before I can remember, my family has been purple and gold, everything LSU,” says Darah Haidet, an LSU senior who was born and raised in Hammond, Louisiana.

Her journey to LSU and the Tiger Girls dance team was not just a dream but a path she set for herself in the eighth grade, dedicating her high school years to training and driving to Baton Rouge for classes.

"When I made the team, it was surreal," Darah recalls, reflecting on the momentous achievement during COVID-era auditions. Despite the pandemic, Darah and her team overcame those challenges and clinched national championships in 2022 and 2024. Their championship dances went viral. People worldwide memorized the choreography and posted videos re-creating their 2024 UDA national championship hip-hop routine on social media.

“It’s just been amazing to get the recognition that our team deserves, and dance in general as a whole, to elevate that space in a way. We put in as many hours, if not more, than any sports team on this campus," Darah says. “We support everyone. So, while we're at nationals, we have to cheer at basketball games. We have to cheer at baseball or football. We do promotions and appearances. So, anything that this university needs for us to support, we do it wholeheartedly and commit to that time and being excellent at that.”

“For me, it was always LSU or nothing. No matter what you want to do, there is something for everyone.”

Darah Haidet, LSU senior and Tiger Girls dancer

In addition to her time on Tiger Girls, Darah is a broadcast journalism major in the Manship School of Mass Communication, with a minor in sports studies. She said her academic journey mirrors her dance career—full of dedication, growth, and embracing new opportunities. "LSU truly is the place to develop who you are as an individual," she says.

Darah was the first Tiger Girl to sign an NIL endorsement deal with Baton Rouge lawfirm, Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys. "As a Tiger Girl, I've gotten just as many NIL opportunities as I could have ever imagined," Darah says. “We’ve gotten opportunities as a team, and I’ve also gotten deals individually that I think shocked people—even myself. To see myself on billboards with Flau’jae Johnson, Kim Mulkey and Aaliyah Finnegan –these amazing girls next to me. It’s just really cool.”

“In this new era of NIL, it is always exciting to see the opportunities our student-athletes are exposed to. Darah has done a great job building her brand and representing herself in a way that will help elevate her in the NIL space," said Taylor Jacobs, LSU Athletics Associate AD of NIL & Strategic Initiatives.

But she’s not just involved with LSU athletics from the football field or basketball court, but behind the scenes, too, interning LSU's marketing department. "LSU has helped me build a brand I am super proud of. I couldn't have imagined four years ago. If you would have told me this is my life to now, it's just unbelievable. LSU truly is the place to develop who you are as an individual and every avenue that you want to go into, they have resources for.”

After she receives her degree from LSU on May 17, Darah has her sights set on the next step in the dance world. "I am hopeful to try out for a pro dance team," she says.

But her heart and roots will always be purple and gold, and she hopes others will follow suit. "For me, it was always LSU or nothing,” she says. “No matter what you want to do, there is something for everyone."

Next Step

Let LSU put you on a path to success! With 330+ undergraduate programs, 70 master's programs, and over 50 doctoral programs, we have a degree for you.

Learn How You Can Become an LSU Tiger