A backup dancer also known as background dancer 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.

Backup dancers

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

• Lee Know from Stray Kids (for BTS)

• Kevin Federline (for Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Pink, Christina Milian, and LFO)

• FKA twigs

• Cris Judd (for ex-wife Jennifer Lopez's 2001 video "Love Don't Cost a Thing")

• Rain (for Park Jin-young and Park Ji-yoon)

• Tupac Shakur (for the Digital Underground)

• Michael K. Williams

• Zendaya (for Selena Gomez)

Gallery

See also

• Corps de ballet

• Backing vocalist

• Extra (actor)

• Taxi dancer – a paid dancer in a partner-dance

References

Further reading