For Daniel Novikov, dancing runs in his genes.
The pre-teen was born to two successful dancers and has been emerged in the craft for his whole life.
His mother Alla Novikov is a renowned dancer from Saratov, Russia. She started dancing at nine years old, winning a myriad of regional and national competitions. At 20 years old, she made history by being the youngest person in the region to get her adjudicators license, a qualification that allowed her to judge in dancing competitions.
In 2006, Alla married fellow dancer Daniel Novikov, and the two settled down in California to start a family. When she gave birth to their son Daniel Jr., she started bringing him to dance lessons east of Los Angeles, at the studio she owned. As he grew older, he started to show an interest. In the video, she tells the camera:
“Since Daniel was a baby, I used to bring him every day to the dance studio.”
“I was teaching my students, and one day he said, ‘Mom, why don’t you teach me?”
With his mother’s teaching and guidance, Daniel rapidly took the dance world by storm.
Within just three years of dancing, he’d already won numerous titles— the World Preteen Pro-Am Champion, the U.S Preteen 1 Latin and Ballroom Champion, and PBS America’s Ballroom Challenge. But, as most young stars, he had his sights set on the America’s Got Talent stage.
Daniel knows some people may be surprised by him and his mother’s bond. In a pre-recorded interview, he told the camera: “When people hear my dance partner’s my mom, they’re like, ‘What? That’s crazy.’ But we’re a perfect dancing team together.”
“To dance with my son, that is the happiest moment for me,” Alla adds.
Clad in a colorful, sparkling dress and a stylish tuxedo, Alla and Daniel make an adorable pair.
Auditioning for the 11th season of the series, the two make their way to center stage. Immediately, Simon asks if they are husband and wife. Replying that they are mother and son, Simon quips: “Okay, I just thought you were short.”
Although some people may get the impression that Alla is really a pushy stage mom, Daniel reveals that he’s the one usually pushing her. When Simon asks Alla if she’s married, Daniel, thinking he’s been asked, instantly answers no— cracking the audience up. After a bit more small talk, it’s time for them to strut their stuff.
Performing to Maroon 5’s “Moves like Jagger,” Alla and Daniel have the audience on their feet before lead singer Adam Levine has even begun singing the first verse.
Their high-energy routine and fluid movements betray their years of expertise.
While Alla is naturally gifted, Daniel has that innate star power; as he dances, he sasses the audience with adorable winks and grins.
Whipping off his jacket to reveal a shirt emblazoned with his name, Daniel and Alla end their performance only to be greeted by a roaring crowd.
But were their moves enough to impress the judges? You’ll just have to watch the video and see! Since being uploaded, the pair’s dazzling audition has been viewed more than a million times. Comments on the video read:
“That little guy is going to be big someday. What a little ham with awesome footwork.”
“God, how gorgeous is it possible for two human beings to be?”
“That kid is real. Most passionate kid I’ve seen doing what they love.”
Watch the video below!
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