When you’re looking to get away on vacation, a cruise can be the perfect escape.
Isolated from society, out in the middle of the ocean; it’s time to party and have fun.
Carnival, in the United States, is a company that offers amazing cruises with a variety of options. The Sunshine cruise, in particular, “has been doused with an extra dose of fun,” their website explains. But passengers on this journey had no idea they’d be treated to a dance surprise.
As the Sunshine left Port Canaveral on August 18, passengers were invited to participate in a dance competition.
Adults gathered on the deck, showcasing their fancy moves. But then, out of nowhere, an 8-year-old boy made his way to the center of the crowd.
Clad in green shorts, flip-flops, and a palm tree T-shirt, Ryan Starr gave the audience a performance that’s been viewed over 20 million times.
With Silentó’s ‘Watch Me’ playing in the background, Ryan unleashes a series of moves that leaves onlookers cheering.
Ryan, who later told Ellen DeGeneres he’s been dancing since he was 3, proceeds to impress the audience with a dance routine composed of popular, trending moves. In particular, you see him performing The Whip and Nae Nae, popularized by the song in question. Later, he also busts out the Bloc Boy “Shoot” dance, which has grown in popularity amongst kids after being co-opted into the Fortnite video game.
As Ryan dances, every move is perfectly synchronized to the music.
He knows exactly what he’s doing and has likely practiced this routine before.
In the end, his dashing performance allowed him to take home first prize.
Unbeknownst to Ryan, an onlooker had been filming his fancy footwork. Later, the video was uploaded online, where it immediately went viral. During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Ryan said:
“For the rest of the cruise, everyone on the ship was coming up to me, trying to get pictures of me, calling me famous.
“People we coming to me and asking for autographs. It was kind of awkward,” he laughed.
According to Ryan, this is the thirteenth cruise he has been on with his family.
“It’s one of the only vacations we do because— you know, like— when I was a baby, I enjoyed it,” he said.
At the end of the trip, Carnival rewarded Ryan with a platinum membership, giving him special perks and discounts on future cruises.
Ellen also surprised him with a trip to the Mexican Riviera on Carnival’s newest ship.
As mentioned, Ryan’s performance has gone completely viral.
People can’t get enough of the young boy’s energetic movements, leaving comments such as:
“Gosh, he nailed it. I can’t stop rewinding it. He did SO SO GOOD.”
“I can’t stop watching this video. It gives me chills… I find it so, so amazing to see guys this little being themselves.”
“He had those dance moves perfectly synchronized with the beat of the music. So lit!!”
Watch the video below!
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