The 3-year-old ("I'm 4 in July") just could not take her eyes off Royal New Zealand Ballet star - and new best friend - Angelina Ballerina.
"I like her a lot, because she has a sparkly dress and does ballet," the star-struck Helen Deem Kindergarten pupil said.
"She's huge on Angelina," Leiha's mother, Mel Ryall, said.
"She's been trying to do ballet since she was 2, just from watching Angelina on TV. She's been so excited about meeting her. She won't stop touching her. She's going to go back to kindy and tell everyone all about it."
"They've been so excited about meeting her. They've all been talking about it for weeks. Angelina is a story they all recognise; especially the pre-schoolers," principal Shona Bennett said.
Angelina taught the girls dance moves like "the cake position" and how to do a "pinky promise", before answering a battery of questions about her dress and shoes, how old she was (12) and what school she went to (Camembert Academy).
The rock star reaction to the rodent in Dunedin was typical of the Australasian tour, which had so far performed for more than 62,000 young fans in six centres, Royal New Zealand Ballet stage manager Kathryn Osborne said.
"She'd be the biggest celebrity I've ever worked with. We've been getting this sort of response everywhere we go. The kids dress up and come to the shows and dance in the wings and the aisles and in front of the stage.
"It's the best family show I've ever done. It's a very simple story about a little mouse following her dream to dance and that appeals to so many little girls and boys. Angelina was thrilled to see her fans in Dunedin. She's never been to Dunedin before."
• Angelina Ballerina's Big Audition is on at the Regent Theatre at 10.30am and 1.30pm today.
