These Are the Creators Behind TikTok's Viral Dances
Whether you like to admit or not, we've all done them—and we have these talented dancers to thank.
You might think that TikTok's most popular dances are the brainchildren of major creators like Charli D'Amelio and Addison Rae, but unsurprisingly they're not. TikTok's efforts to ensure that creators are credited for their contributions are often ignored by the platform's most notable figures. This month, Rae appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and performed a number of TikTok dances. Seeing these dances carried out on such a widely-viewed show, with no mention of their origins, certainly ruffled the feathers of the choreographers that conceptualized them. Rae's faux pas acts as a reminder that credit must be given where credit is due.
From the "Renegade" to the "Supalonley," TikTok dances have been indicative of this strange moment of time that we are all experiencing. During the lockdown, young adults were given the opportunity to step away from the craziness of daily life and utilize this platform as a creative outlet. These nuanced dances are symptomatic of the imagination and individuality of TikTok's many users. In celebration of these fun-inducing jigs, L'OFFICIEL rounds up the creators behind TikTok's favorite dances. You might not know their names, but you certainly know their moves.
"Renegade"
If you have tried one TikTok dance, it's most definitely the "Renegade." This wildly popular dance was created by a 14-year-old dancer named Jalaiah Harmon, who had posted the original routine on an app called Funimate. The dance, which was performed by all of TikTok's most notable personalities, led to the essential conversation about the recognition of black creators on the app. Many TikTok users argued that when major figures perform the dance without giving credit, they reinforce the idea that content made by people of color is only valuable when appropriated by white bodies.
"Say So"
It's no secret that TikTok loves Doja Cat. When her viral song "Say So" blew up, Haley Sharpe, or @yodelinghaley, created this catchy dance to go alongside the addictive tune. The Alabama native's moves gained so much traction that over 16 million users gave it a shot. Of course, Doja Cat couldn't miss how influential Sharpe's dance was and invited her to be in the official "Say So" music video.
"Savage"
Megan Thee Stallion has absolutely killed it this year, and much of her success can be attributed to her hit song, "Savage." When the young TikTok creator Keara Wilson, or @keke.janajah, choreographed a dance to accompany the viral single, the world went crazy. Beyoncé even recognized the power of the song and hopped on the remix.
"Tap In"
Saweetie's hit "Tap In" was another one of TikTok's most used sounds in 2020. In June of last year, Lesley Gonzalez, or @yodamnmamma, created a dance challenge for the song that was picked up by the likes of many of the platform's biggest creators, including the D'Amelio sisters.
"WAP"
The "WAP" dance challenge was one of the biggest phenomenons to date on the influential platform. In the wake of its popularity, there were many discussions about the dance's origins. The song, by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, includes suggestive lyrics, and the dance only enhances them. After much debate, the creator of the "WAP" dance was evident, Brian Esperon, a Guam-based choreographer.
"Corvette Corvette"
"Supalonely"
New Zealand-based singer BENEE's song "Supalonely" took the TikTok Sphere by storm when the popular creator @zoifishh, also known as Zoe Lerma, created an energetic dance to accompany the appealing tune. Lerma runs in the same circle as Rae, Lil Huddy, Noah Beck, and the D'Amelios. Her down-to-earth personality is celebrated amongst the TikTok community in addition to her killer dance skills. To date, "Supalonely" has been used in 7.8 million videos.
"Don't Start Now"
TikTok doubles as a Dua Lipa fan club, so it's only natural that her hit song "Don't Start Now" garnered enough attention to earn its own dance. Teenager, Hannah Kaye Balanay created the choreography that encouraged over 4 million TikTok users, including some royalty, to try out the dance.
