Dance used to be pretty simple: you went to class, learned choreography, performed onstage, and hopefully got a few pictures afterward. Now, being a dancer can look completely different. Your dancing might live onstage, in the studio, and on someone’s For You Page. That became especially clear with the new season of Dancing with the Stars. For Season 35, the show introduced a new rule requiring its cast members to actively participate on TikTok to help promote the show and encourage viewers to vote. The requirement is reportedly nonnegotiable, and some potential cast members even decided not to participate because of it. This shows just how much social media is taking over the dance world.
Social Media is Part of the Dance World
Social media isn’t just something dancers use for fun anymore. It’s become a huge part of how people discover dancers, choreographers, studios, classes, competitions, and performances. A dancer can post a 15-second combination and suddenly have thousands of people seeing their dancing who may have never watched them perform in person. It is a great way to get yourself out there!
Your Online Presence Can Open Doors
For dancers, social media can almost act like an extra audition. Choreographers and casting teams can discover dancers through their videos, and dancers can show their personality alongside their skills. You don’t have to wait for someone to see you at a competition or convention anymore. So try to really show who YOU are and what you like to do. That is what is going to make you stand out.
But Being a Dancer Doesn’t Mean Being an Influencer
Here’s the thing. Not every dancer wants to make TikToks every day, film behind-the-scenes videos, or constantly promote themselves online. And that’s okay. The DWTS rule is interesting because it shows how social media expectations are becoming connected to professional opportunities. The show reportedly views online engagement as an important part of reaching and keeping its audience. But there’s still a difference between being a dancer and being a content creator. It is okay to still have that line between the two.
The Algorithm Can Change What Gets Seen
There’s also a downside to dance becoming so connected to social media. A beautiful performance doesn’t automatically mean it will get millions of views. Sometimes a silly rehearsal video gets more attention than the routine you spent months preparing. That can be frustrating, especially when dancers start feeling like their talent is being measured by likes and views. But social media numbers aren’t a measurement of how good you are. The algorithm decides what gets pushed out to who and to where.
The Dance World Is Changing
The DWTS TikTok rule might sound surprising, but it’s also a sign of where entertainment is heading. The show’s producers have said they want to build on the previous season’s success by creating even more social content and keeping viewers engaged online. For young dancers, this means social media is becoming another part of the industry to understand. Because let’s be real, young dancers tend to spend quite a bit of time on social media.
Use social media when it helps you. Have fun with it. Let people see your personality.