Who is Sean Bankhead? Ace choreographer slams ‘TikTok dancers' for ruining dancing industry on ‘GMA3’

Sean Bankhead credits himself as a self-taught artiste, inspired by Michael Jackson, and Missy Elliott among others
Sean Bankhead has choreographed Normani and Lil Nas X's music videos (itsbankhead/Instagram)
Sean Bankhead has choreographed Normani and Lil Nas X's music videos (itsbankhead/Instagram)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ‘Good Morning America: What You Need To Know’, hosted by DeMarco Morgan, Eva Pilgrim and Dr Jennifer Ashton, covers a wide range of topics and celebrities. The spin-off of the morning show once had two legends of the dancing industry, Sean Bankhead and Laurieann Gibson, talk about their journeys as professional choreographers. 

Of the two choreographers, Bankhead was captivated by music videos and the performances in them at the age of six. After working with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Lil Nas X and Cardi B, his demand and popularity have surged. However, he has a very critical approach to "TikTok dancers."


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by sean bankhead (@itsbankhead)


 

Who is Sean Bankhead?

Bankhead is a 33-year-old professional choreographer who has choreographed some of the biggest music videos in recent times, including that of Nas X’s ‘Industry Baby' and Normani’s ‘Wild Side’. He was deeply inspired by Michael Jackson and Missy Elliott's videos earlier in his life and recalled standing before the TV mimicking all of Jackson’s moves. He grew up in Atalanta and had his first big break in high school in 2006 when a YouTube video of him teaching a young girl a choreographed dance to 'Wind It Up’ by Gwen Stefani hit 1.5 million views in just a couple of days.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by sean bankhead (@itsbankhead)


 

His life changed when he bagged the role of a backup dancer in the music video for Tiffany Evans’s 2007 song, 'Promise Ring’. He landed his first job at 19 when he performed as a dancer with Beyonce during her performance of ‘Single Ladies’ on ‘The Tyra Banks Show.’ He has earned a name for himself and also served as a judge on MTV’s 'Becoming a Popstar'.

Sean Bankhead is not fond of ‘TikTok dancers' 

In an interview with The New York Times, Bankhead said, “In a TikTok-driven musical industry, it’s easy to get away with mediocrity. So when you see an artist come out that actually tries, it’s almost refreshing because I then say to myself, ‘I remember when this used to be the standard.’”

Bankhead echoed the same sentiment in a candid interview with ‘GMA3’ when the 34-year-old criticized dancers who made their name on TikTok but failed to perform for longer durations on stage. He said, “TikTok is a 30-second dance from chest-up and these TikTok dancers then get into rehearsal and can’t even do a one-hour rehearsal.”  



 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Filming has wrapped on the half-hour series, which takes aim at influencers, wellness brands and self-optimization.
13 hours ago
Angel Batista’s reported return raises questions as Dexter Morgan prepares to face two new killers in Season 2.
16 hours ago
A cliffhanger ending and an unexpected curveball could decide what comes next for Joe and the CIA team.
17 hours ago
‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story,’ starring Ella Beatty and Sarah Paulson, is currently streaming on Netflix
21 hours ago
One ongoing storyline might already hold a clue to this newcomer’s identity
21 hours ago
A decades-old trial that divided public opinion is getting the limited series treatment
23 hours ago
The show’s creators had a specific endpoint in mind since before it premiered
1 day ago
Fans did not get the send-off season many were expecting for the beloved trio
1 day ago
Ian Brennan revealed the future for Netflix's ‘Monster’ and explained why finding a story that can fit the series is difficult.
1 day ago
‘MobLand’ Season 2 returns with 10 episodes, new threats for the Harrigans, and more trouble for Harry Da Souza.
1 day ago