Kyrstin Johnson, a gymnast at Temple University, opened her performance with a statement incorporating Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” into her floor routine. Her teammates cheered her on and danced along from the sidelines.

Unsurprisingly, the gymnast received praise on social media for her routine.

“I almost shed a tear when the whole team clapped and crowned you. Amazing,” one person wrote in the comments section of Johnson’s TikTok video.

“I love how much gymnastics has changed over the years. The transition from classical to modern music and everything in between. “Amazing to see,” someone else commented.

This school year marks Johnson’s first year at Temple University. According to AL.com, she transferred after Talladega College discontinued its gymnastics program in July 2024 due to a lack of funding. The program was the second of its kind at an HBCU. Fisk University was the first historically black university to offer gymnastics as part of its collegiate athletic program.

Johnson was the first recruit for the new team at Talladega College. In her freshman year, she became a four-time First Team All-American and 2023 USAG National Vault Champion, according to HBCU Gameday.

Johnson noted how important it was to join an HBCU back then, telling AL.com that she could “connect with anyone.” I could identify with everyone. No questions were asked. My culture was just there.”

Before studying biology at Temple University, Johnson enrolled at Talladega on a four-year scholarship.

“We went out there, showed up and got out. We had fun,” Johnson said of the memories she shares with her former team. “And we showed everyone what Talladega College Gymnastics is all about. Even if it was canceled after a year, I don’t think any of us would change a thing.”

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