Laurie Hernandez is only 16 years old.
We just had to write that out in order to believe it.
Because you would not be blamed, after watching this gymnast perform on Dancing with the Stars, for thinking she"s about four decades older than that.
Such is the sort of maturity on display each Monday night this fall, as Hernandez achieved a pair of perfect scores during Week 10 of the dancing competition.
But what everyone is talking about today is less Laurie"s dancing ability and more the tears she shed after completing a Foxtrot last night.
Joined by partner Val Chmerkovskiy, Hernandez said ahead of time that she dedicated the routine to her grandmother, who recently passed away after a battle with Alzheimer"s Disease.
Nearly as soon as she stopped moving and shaking and processed the moment, standing in front of the judges on Monday, Hernandez simply broke down.
No one could blame her.
"I just went out there and just gave it my all, I kind of look at dance as a way to express my emotions and my feelings," Laurie told E! News after the show.
"Instead of having to say anything I was able to dance my way through it. It was kind of like a way for me to let it go. I feel like a totally different person. I feel like I"ve grown up a couple of years. It"s been amazing. I"ve met some amazing people including big bro over here.
"This journey has been incredible. I"m never going to forget it."
WATCH HER INSPIRING PERFORMANCE NOW:
