Backup dancer

A backup dancer also known as background dancer^[1] is a performer who dances with or behind the lead performers in a live musical act or in a music video. Their movements (especially where there are many moving together) improve the visual aesthetics of the lead performer, and provide a symmetry and rhythm to accompany the music.

A backup dancer performing for Mark Wills

Backup dancers

Some performers began their music careers as backup dancers for other artists, including:

• Lee Know from Stray Kids (for BTS)^[2]
• Kim Hyo-yeon from Girls' Generation (for BoA)^{[citation needed]}
• Yoon Ji-sung and Kang Daniel (for Shihyun and Cao Lu)^{[citation needed]}
• Kevin Federline (for Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Pink, Christina Milian, and LFO)^[3]
• FKA twigs^[4]
• Cris Judd (for ex-wife Jennifer Lopez' 2001 video "Love Don't Cost a Thing")^[5]
• Jennifer Lopez (for the New Kids on the Block, MC Hammer and Janet Jackson's 1993 video "That's the Way Love Goes")^{[citation needed]}
• Rain (for Park Jin-young and Park Ji-yoon)^[6]
• Tupac Shakur (for the Digital Underground)^[7][8][9]
• Michael K. Williams^[10]
• Zendaya^[11]

Gallery

• 
  Balinese dancers in 1937 performing in a kecak

See also

• Corps de ballet
• Backing vocalist
• Extra (actor)
• Taxi dancer – a paid dancer in a partner-dance