featuring @gianina @gianinahq
GiaNina Paolantonio, the viral American dance phenom and “Dance Moms” breakout star, is bringing her high-energy, viral TikTok choreography to thousands. GiaNina will hosted an exclusive dance masterclass for local youth in Sydney. From pop stars like Jennifer Lopez, Billie Eilish, Jessie Murph, and Sombr, chances are GiaNina helped choreograph the viral moment behind their music.
See her featured in PopSugar, Good Morning America, HerCampus, Good Day NY, KTLA News
With billions of views across platforms, she has become a driving force behind the dance trends that help songs take off worldwide. Teaching hundreds of dancers, GiaNina’s workshops offer a rare opportunity for local talent to learn directly from one of the most in-demand choreographers shaping global pop culture.
With over 4 million TikTok followers and a track record of turning choreography into viral campaigns, GiaNina sits at the intersection of dance, music, and digital strategy. GiaNina’s career began early, making her Broadway debut at just 9 in Matilda the Musical, appearing in The Greatest Showman, touring with Mariah Carey, and becoming a fan favorite on “Dance Moms.” Today, she’s evolved into a global creative force, blending performance with influence and business.
Her Australian tour is more than a series of dance classes, it’s part of a growing global movement connecting young dancers to the next generation of choreography and culture.
1. Welcome to OLC! I have to say I’ve always loved watching dance, dance shows, anything dance really, so I’m so glad we get the opportunity to talk to you. Now you made your Broadway debut at just 9 years old in Matilda the Musical and later appeared in The Greatest Showman as a principal ballerina. What was the biggest lesson you learned about performance and discipline from those early professional experiences?
Starting on Broadway so young really taught me discipline in a way that became second nature. I learned that talent is only one part of it; consistency and showing up every single day are what actually build a career. It also taught me how to perform with intention, not just doing steps, but telling a story and connecting emotionally with an audience, which I still carry into everything I do now.
2. Touring with Mariah Carey on her “All I Want for Christmas” tour must have been unforgettable. How did that high-profile gig shape your understanding of live performance energy and connecting with massive audiences?
Touring with Mariah was honestly surreal. Being in arenas like The Coliseum in Las Vegas and The Beacon Theatre in New York with that kind of energy showed me how important it is to fully commit to the moment and give everything, no matter how big the artist or the stage is. I learned that connection doesn’t come from size; it comes from authenticity. Even in a huge space, people feel when you’re present and giving your full energy.
3. You became a fan favorite on Season 8 of Dance Moms. Looking back, how did that reality TV experience influence your career path, both the challenges and the opportunities it created?
Dance Moms was a huge turning point for me. It came with challenges; being young and in that environment wasn’t always easy, but it also gave me a platform and taught me resilience. I learned how to stay focused, block out noise, and use opportunities to grow. It definitely opened doors, but more importantly, it helped me understand who I am as an artist.
4. With over 4 million TikTok followers and billions of views, you’ve become one of the driving forces behind dance trends that help songs go viral. What’s your process for creating choreography that balances artistic expression with maximum shareability?
For me, it always starts with the music. I ask myself, “How does this feel in my body and does this song resonate with me?” and then I build from there. The goal is to keep it authentic to me, but also make it accessible so people feel like they can jump in and try it. It’s about finding that balance between something that looks visually exciting but still feels natural and repeatable.
5. You’ve choreographed viral moments for artists like Jennifer Lopez, Billie Eilish, Jessie Murph, and Sombr. How do you approach working with a song or artist to craft a dance that captures the essence of the track while encouraging millions to learn and recreate it?
Every artist has their own identity, so I really take time to understand the tone and emotion of the song first. I want the choreography to feel like an extension of the music and the artist, not something separate. At the same time, I think about what moment will connect with people, something that feels iconic but still achievable, so fans can recreate it and feel part of it.
6. Social media has completely transformed the dance world since you started posting. How has the algorithm and the shift to short-form video changed the way you create and teach choreography compared to your theater and Stage roots?
Social media has completely changed everything. In theater, you have time to build a full performance, but with short-form, you have seconds to grab attention. It’s made me more intentional with movement and storytelling. I’ve learned how to simplify without losing impact, and also how to teach in a way that translates quickly through a screen.
7. You’re hosting an exclusive dance masterclass for local youth in Sydney on April 16th as part of your Australian tour. What excites you most about teaching the next generation of dancers here in Australia?
I’m so excited to be in Sydney. There’s something really special about connecting with dancers in different parts of the world and seeing how passionate they are. What excites me most is being able to share not just choreography, but energy, confidence, and inspiration with the next generation and Australia has some crazy talented dancers.
8. Your workshops and classes give young talent direct access to industry-level choreography. What key advice do you always share with aspiring dancers in your masterclasses?
I always tell dancers to focus on being themselves. Technique is important, but what really sets you apart is your individuality and how you express the movement. I also remind them that consistency matters more than perfection, just keep showing up and putting in the work.
9. This Australian tour feels like part of a bigger global movement connecting young dancers to pop culture. What do you hope participants take away from your Sydney session that they can apply to their own dance journeys?
I want them to leave feeling inspired and more confident in who they are as dancers. It’s not just about learning steps; it’s about understanding how to perform, how to connect, and how to bring their own personality into everything they do. Being able to perform outside of your comfort zone helps you grow so I tell all my students to challenge yourself every day.
10. You’ve mentioned shifting focus toward teaching and choreographing while building your own platform. What does a typical day or creative session look like for you now, blending studio work with content creation?
My days are definitely a mix. I’ll spend time in the studio creating and teaching, and then I’m also filming content, editing, and connecting with my audience. A creative session usually starts with music and just freestyling, and then I refine it into something I can teach or share. My app “GiaNina Headquarters” is my way of connecting my content and teaching and building a wider community in the process.
11. You’ve been featured in outlets like PopSugar, Good Morning America, and others. How has increased visibility changed the way you navigate your career and personal brand?
It’s definitely made me more aware of how I show up, but I try not to overthink it. I’ve always built my brand on being authentic, so as things grow, I just stay grounded in that. Visibility is amazing, but staying true to who I am is what keeps everything aligned.
12. You started as a theater kid from the Jersey Shore and have evolved into a global creative force, including ventures like your GiaNina Headquarters app. What’s one piece of advice you wish you could give your 9-year-old self just starting on Broadway?
I would tell her to trust the process and not rush anything. Everything happens for a reason, and every step, even the hard ones, is shaping you into who you’re meant to be. And also, just enjoy it more.
13. Dance can be incredibly demanding physically and mentally. How do you maintain your high energy and passion while managing the pressures of constant creation, touring, and being in the public eye?
I really focus on balance. Taking care of my body, my mindset, and making sure I have time to reset is so important. I remind myself why I started, because I love dance, and that keeps me grounded even when things get busy.
14. What’s next for you? Are there any dream collaborations, new music projects (as you’ve explored singing), or expansions of your teaching/tour model that you’re excited about?
There’s a lot I’m excited about. I want to keep growing my world tour and reaching more dancers globally, expand my app GiaNina Headquarters to build an even stronger community, and continue exploring music and some interesting TV and film projects for me on the horizon as well. I love being able to combine all of my passions and create something that connects people.
- Email: neill@outloudculture.com
- Socials: @frazer.live
- @neill.outloud
