From Broadway to an international dance sensation: GiaNina makes Edmonton stop on her World Dance Tour

An international dance sensation known for her work on TikTok, GiaNina Paolantonio, making an Edmonton stop on her World Dance Tour.

An international dance sensation known for her work on TikTok and on reality TV show Dance Moms, GiaNina Paolantonio joined CTV Morning Live’s Kim Wynn to speak on her World Dance Tour.

This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

Kimberly Wynn: How did your journey begin?

GiaNina Paolantonio: It began on Broadway when I was nine years old. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I was what we like to call a “competitive dancer” that went from the couch to Broadway. It kind of came out of nowhere, but it’s always been a huge part of my life. When it came to acting and singing, that taught me everything I know.

Kim: Would you say your career truly launched after reality TV? Or do you think it was when you were fire on TikTok?

GiaNina: It came hand-in-hand. When I did Dance Moms, I was 13, and then the pandemic hit. When the pandemic was over, that’s when everything started airing, and that’s when TikTok also started becoming a huge thing. So the timing was immaculate and with everything that happened there, I just blew up. I tried to take it everywhere I could and have a grab on everything.

Kim: What goes into making a viral dance trend?

GiaNina: I love when people ask me this because when I had my choreography go crazy, it was not intentional at all. I think a lot of people could say that it’s the authenticity of all of it, and your own style with a trending song is where it comes from. But none of it was ever planned. It can’t really be planned. I think if people love it and everyone can do it, people will love it and it’ll become a trend.

Kim: You mentioned you’ve been on Broadway, and you even toured with Mariah Carey. What does having your own tour mean to you?

GiaNina: It means everything. It’s the most surreal thing in the world, especially as someone who’s very young. I just turned 20. I never in a million years thought that I would be on my own tour, let alone a tour in general. To see the reaction of everybody with open arms and warm welcomes, it’s still always surreal and crazy.

Kim: Tell us about your master class dance sessions. What are Edmonton dancers going to learn from it?

GiaNina: I’m hoping they can learn that everything in every dance class can be a very, very safe place, somewhere to learn and grow. I always say the only thing I ever ask for is effort and a huge smile on your face. They always end up giving me that because I’m always like, “We’re the same age, we’re in this together. You don’t have to be afraid of me.” I know I’m a stranger to them and they’re strangers to me, but at the end of the day, we’re here because we love the same thing for the same reason.

Kim: What’s the type of demographic that’s coming to your class? Do you see people like me who are Asian or in their 30s?

GiaNina: Yes, I’ve been shocked because I never thought I’d be teaching anybody who was older than me. I think I had that stigma in my head for some reason, but there’s kids between ages 13, even younger, to people in their 30s who have come up to me saying that I brought them back to dance. I’m always honoured when I hear that. The demographic and age range is wide.

Kim: What’s next for you?

GiaNina: I’m actually coming back to Canada. I’m going to Toronto and I’m doing a pop girl summer event with United Music. They have artists come in. I love working with all their labels and all the artists, but then I’m going to Montreal and hosting my own workshop. That is also something that I never thought I would do, but especially going so far from home to have people show up for me is insane.