Sean Bankhead (choreographer)

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Sean Bankhead
Birth nameSean Bankhead
Genres
  • Dance
Occupation(s)
  • Choreographer
  • producer
Years active2006–active

Sean Bankhead is an American dancer and choreographer.

Bankhead has created the choreography for many music videos, including Lil Nas X's "Industry Baby"(featuring Jack Harlow), Normani's "Motivation" and "Wild Side"(featuring Cardi B), Cardi B's "Up", and Sam Smith's "Dancing with a Stranger"(with Normani) and "I'm Ready"(with Demi Lovato); he has also choreographed concert tours, and television and film productions.

Early life[]

He moved to Atlanta, Georgia, United States; and began his career by uploading a dance video to YouTube in 2006 on his original channel Seanalator. The video went viral and amassed over 1.5 million views.[1] In 2007, Bankhead landed his first high-profile gig, appearing as a love interest in the music video for "Promise Ring" by Tiffany Evans. The following year, he was hired as a dancer for Beyoncé, performing with the singer during a live performance of "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" on The Tyra Banks Show.[2][3]

Career[]

Choreography[]

Bankhead has choreographed, directed, and performed many music videos and performances, such as Cardi B's "Up" and her live performance of "WAP" with Megan Thee Stallion at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards,[4] Sam Smith & Demi Lovato's "I'm Ready", Saweetie's "Best Friend"(featuring Doja Cat),[5] Lil Nas X's "Industry Baby"(featuring Jack Harlow),[6] and their live performance of "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" on SNL.[7] He has also choreographed for Missy Elliott, Britney Spears,[8] and Drake.[9] In 2014, Bankhead choreographed the music video for Fifth Harmony's "Boss", and later on their music video for "Down", which earned him a MTV Video Music Award nomination; since then he has developed a close working relationship with former Fifth Harmony member Normani, referring to her as his muse,[6] and choreographing her music videos for "Motivation", "Dancing with a Stranger"(with Sam Smith), and "Wild Side"(featuring Cardi B).[10]

Bankhead has also choreographed for various television shows, including the Lee Daniels drama series Empire,[11] and the Fox TV musical drama Star, for which he choreographed all of the performances.[12] He also choreographed the Lena Waithe BET series Boomerang.[2] Bankhead was credited for choreographing a dance routine for Will Ferrell in the movie Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.[13]

Bankhead served as the assistant choreographer for Beyoncé's The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour.

In 2020, Bankhead choreographed the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl LIV commercial featuring Missy Elliott and H.E.R.[14] The following year, he worked with Pepsi again, choreographing a commercial featuring Doja Cat.[15]

Personal life[]

Bankhead is openly gay.[16]

He stated in interview with Yahoo! Life that he is close friends with music choreographer JaQuel Knight.[17]

Awards[]

Bankhead has been nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards.[18]

References[]

  1. ^ "You've Probably Already Tried One of Sean Bankhead's Dance Moves". PAPER. 2021-08-10. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  2. ^ a b "How Choreographer Sean Bankhead Became a Social Sensation". dancemagazine. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  3. ^ "Sean Bankhead on dancing with Beyonce, why it's hard to find dancers for Normani, Summer Walker and more". www.revolt.tv. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  4. ^ "Choreographer Sean Bankhead Breaks Down Normani's Logic-Defying "Wild Side" Moves". Pitchfork. 2021-08-02. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  5. ^ "Sean Bankhead's Signature Moves Are Hard To Miss In Today's Biggest Music Videos From Lil Nas X To Normani". Global Grind. 2021-07-27. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  6. ^ a b Louis, Pierre-Antoine (2021-09-04). "Signature Moves With Sean Bankhead". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  7. ^ Greer, Carlos (2021-05-24). "Lil Nas X dancers axed over COVID fears 15 minutes before 'SNL' rehearsals". Page Six. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  8. ^ "You Can Thank This Celebrity Choreographer For Creating the 'Nae Nae'". NBC News. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  9. ^ Rodriguez, Tommy (2020-05-13). "Sean Bankhead and Red Bull Dance to Host Choreo Workshop". Bleu. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  10. ^ "Why Missy Elliott and Normani Love This Choreographer". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  11. ^ "PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  12. ^ Thurmond, Cierra. "Choreographer Sean Bankhead On Why Missy Elliott Is A True Innovator". Nylon. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  13. ^ "Sean Bankhead stays Humble!". The BEAST Network (TBSN). 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  14. ^ "Missy Elliott And H.E.R. Join Forces In Studio And On Set For Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl LIV Commercial". PepsiCo, Inc. Official Website. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  15. ^ Gardner, Chris (2021-09-10). "Doja Cat Remakes 'Grease' Hit "You're the One that I Want" for Pepsi Spot Debuting During MTV VMAs". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  16. ^ "Reimaginings: Meet Dyllon Burnside, Sean Bankhead and DJ Jash Jay". www.out.com. 2020-06-15. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  17. ^ "'Single Ladies' JaQuel Knight becomes first choreographer to land the cover of 'Billboard' magazine". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
  18. ^ "Sean Bankhead". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
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