Sean Bankhead Explained

Sean Bankhead
Birth Name:Sean Bankhead
Birth Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Years Active:2006–present
Website:https://seanbankhead.com/

Sean Bankhead is an American dancer and choreographer. He served as a judge on the American music competition series Becoming A Popstar.

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", Sam Smith's "Dancing with a Stranger" (with Normani) and "I'm Ready" (with Demi Lovato), and FKA Twigs' "Tears in the Club" (featuring The Weeknd), Tate McRae's "Exes" and Victoria Monet's "On My Mama". In 2024, he joined Usher during his Super Bowl LVIII halftime show.[1] [2]

He has also choreographed concert tours, and television and film productions. Throughout his career, he has earned eight nominations for the MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography.

Early life

Bankhead was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3] He moved to Atlanta, Georgia and began his career by uploading a dance video to YouTube in 2006 on his channel "Seanalator". The video went viral and amassed approximately 1.5 million views.[4] 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.[5] [6]

Career

Music videos and live performances

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,[7] and choreographing her music videos for "Motivation", "Dancing with a Stranger"(with Sam Smith), and "Wild Side"(featuring Cardi B).[8] He has also frequently collaborated with Missy Elliott, working with her on the music video for her single "I'm Better", and her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award medley at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.[9] [10]

Bankhead has also 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,[11] Megan Thee Stallion's "Her",[12] Sam Smith & Demi Lovato's "I'm Ready", Saweetie's "Best Friend" (featuring Doja Cat),[13] Lil Nas X's "Industry Baby"(featuring Jack Harlow), and their live performance of "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)" on SNL, City Girls' "Twerkulator",[14] Alesso's "When I'm Gone", (with Katy Perry),[15] and "Tears in the Club" by FKA Twigs (featuring The Weeknd).[16] He has also worked for Britney Spears[17] Saucy Santana (with Latto),[18] and Drake.[19]

Additional choreographed work

Bankhead has choreographed for various television shows, including the Lee Daniels drama series Empire,[20] and the Lena Waithe BET series Boomerang. He choreographed all of the dance performances for the Fox musical drama Star.[21] Bankhead was credited for choreographing a dance routine for Will Ferrell in the movie .[22] In 2013, he 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.[23] The following year, he worked with Pepsi again, choreographing a commercial featuring Doja Cat.[24] In 2022, Bankhead joined Joe Jonas and Becky G to serve as a judges on the MTV & TikTok American music competition series Becoming A Popstar.[25]

Personal life

Bankhead is openly gay.[26]

He stated in interview with Yahoo! Life that he is close friends with fellow choreographer JaQuel Knight.[27]

Awards

In 2021, Bankhead was placed on the 'Performers of the Year' section of the Out100 list by Out magazine,[28] which is an annual list described as a "prestigious compilation of the year's most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people".[29]

AwardYearRecipient(s) and nominee(s)CategoryResult
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity2022"Industry Baby" (performed by Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow)Excellence in Music Video[30] [31]
Dance Magazine Awards2019"Motivation" (performed by Normani)Best Music Video[32]
iHeartRadio Music Awards2020"Motivation" (performed by Normani)Favorite Music Video Choreography[33]
MTV Video Music Awards2017"Down" (performed by Fifth Harmony)Best Choreography
2020"Motivation" (performed by Normani)
2022"Wild Side" (performed by Normani and Cardi B)[34]
"Industry Baby" (performed by Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow)
"Tears in the Club" (performed by FKA Twigs and The Weeknd)
2023"Her" (performed by Megan Thee Stallion)[35]
2024"Greedy" (performed by Tate McRae)[36]
"Rockstar" (performed by Lisa)
UK Music Video Awards2021"Industry Baby" (performed by Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow)Best Choreography in a Video[37] [38]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-02-12 . Usher Proves Why He's the King of R&B With High-Energy Super Bowl Halftime LVIII Performance . 2024-02-18 . The Root . en.
  2. Web site: Correspondent . Kathia Woods Tribune . 2024-02-12 . Usher brings the house down at Super Bowl halftime show . 2024-02-18 . The Philadelphia Tribune . en.
  3. 2019-12-13 . Why Missy Elliott and Normani Love This Choreographer . 2022-09-01 . Billboard.
  4. Web site: 2021-08-10. You've Probably Already Tried One of Sean Bankhead's Dance Moves. 2021-11-02. PAPER. en.
  5. Web site: How Choreographer Sean Bankhead Became a Social Sensation. 2021-11-12. dancemagazine. 6 September 2021 . en.
  6. Web site: Sean Bankhead on dancing with Beyonce, why it's hard to find dancers for Normani, Summer Walker and more. 2021-11-12. www.revolt.tv. en.
  7. News: Louis . Pierre-Antoine . 2021-09-04 . Signature Moves With Sean Bankhead . en-US . The New York Times . 2021-11-12 . 0362-4331.
  8. Why Missy Elliott and Normani Love This Choreographer. 2021-11-12. Billboard. en.
  9. Web site: Missy Elliott The Video Director: 5 Times The Rapper Shined Behind The Camera . 2022-09-01 . BET . en.
  10. Stoner . Alyson . 2019-09-06 . Performing With Missy Elliott, 17 Years Later . 2022-09-01 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  11. Web site: 2021-08-02 . Choreographer Sean Bankhead Breaks Down Normani's Logic-Defying "Wild Side" Moves . 2021-11-12 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  12. Web site: 2022-08-15 . Megan Thee Stallion's Her Is an Anthem For Folks With She/Her Pronouns . 2022-09-01 . www.out.com . en.
  13. Web site: 2021-07-27 . Sean Bankhead's Signature Moves Are Hard To Miss In Today's Biggest Music Videos From Lil Nas X To Normani . 2021-11-12 . Global Grind . en-US.
  14. Web site: 2021-07-08 . City Girls Unveil "Twerkulator" Music Video Directed by Missy Elliott . 2022-09-01 . HYPEBEAST.
  15. Web site: Macias . Ernesto . 2022-01-27 . "It Was Undeniable": Katy Perry and Alesso Have a Post-Collab Catch Up . 2022-09-01 . Interview Magazine . en-US.
  16. Web site: Méndez . Chris Malone . FKA Twigs and The Weeknd Cry 'Tears In The Club' Together . 2022-09-01 . Forbes . en.
  17. Web site: You Can Thank This Celebrity Choreographer For Creating the 'Nae Nae' . 2021-11-12 . NBC News . August 31, 2015 . en.
  18. Web site: 2022-07-20 . Saucy Santana Playfully Channels Nostalgia In "Booty" Video . 2022-09-01 . VIBE.com.
  19. Web site: Rodriguez . Tommy . 2020-05-13 . Sean Bankhead and Red Bull Dance to Host Choreo Workshop . 2021-11-12 . Bleu . en-US.
  20. Web site: Watson . Tiffany . Stomping out HIV/AIDS and violence in the community through hip hop . . . 17 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211112162706/https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-enquire-gazette/20160616/281578059947131 . Nov 12, 2021 . en . 16 Jun 2016 . live.
  21. Web site: Thurmond. Cierra. Choreographer Sean Bankhead On Why Missy Elliott Is A True Innovator. 2021-11-12. Nylon. August 2, 2018 . en.
  22. Web site: 2017-05-11. Sean Bankhead stays Humble!. 2021-11-12. The BEAST Network (TBSN). en-US.
  23. Web site: Missy Elliott And H.E.R. Join Forces In Studio And On Set For Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl LIV Commercial. 2021-11-12. PepsiCo, Inc. Official Website. en.
  24. Web site: Gardner. Chris. 2021-09-10. Doja Cat Remakes 'Grease' Hit "You're the One that I Want" for Pepsi Spot Debuting During MTV VMAs. 2021-11-12. The Hollywood Reporter. en-US.
  25. Web site: Petski . Denise . 2022-03-04 . MTV, TikTok & Pepsi Team On 'Becoming A Popstar' Music Competition Series With Joe Jonas, Becky G & Sean Bankhead . 2022-08-06 . Deadline.
  26. Web site: 2020-06-15. Reimaginings: Meet Dyllon Burnside, Sean Bankhead and DJ Jash Jay. 2021-11-12. www.out.com. en.
  27. Web site: 'Single Ladies' JaQuel Knight becomes first choreographer to land the cover of 'Billboard' magazine. 2021-11-12. www.yahoo.com. November 12, 2020 . en.
  28. Web site: 2021-11-04 . 2021 Out100: LGBTQ+ Performers of the Year . 2022-08-06 . www.out.com . en.
  29. Web site: out100 . 2022-08-06 . www.out.com . en.
  30. Web site: Entertainment Lions For Music . 2022-09-01 . The Work . en.
  31. Web site: Sean Bankhead Awards AdForum Talent: The creative industry network. . 2022-09-01 . www.adforum.com . en.
  32. Web site: Magazine . Dance . 2019-12-09 . These Are the Dance Moments Our Readers Loved the Most This Year . 2022-08-06 . Dance Magazine . en-US.
  33. Web site: Sean Bankhead . 2021-11-12 . IMDb . en.
  34. Langston . Keith . July 26, 2022 . Here are your nominees for the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220726165214/https://ew.com/mtv-video-music-awards/mtv-vma-nominations-2022/ . July 26, 2022 . July 26, 2022.
  35. Web site: 2023-09-13 . MTV VMAs 2023: See All The Winners Here . 2023-11-18 . British Vogue . en-GB.
  36. Taylor Swift Leads MTV VMAs Nominations With 10, as Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande and Eminem Also Get a Big Look. Willman. Chris. August 6, 2024. Variety. https://web.archive.org/web/20240806212818/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/mtv-vmas-nominations-taylor-swift-post-malone-awards-1236096620/. August 6, 2024. live. August 6, 2024.
  37. Web site: technical & craft – ukmva21 . 2022-08-06 . en-US.
  38. Web site: London Alley - London Alley Scores 6 UK Music Video Award Nominations . 2022-08-06 . London Alley.