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Kameron Saunders

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American dancer, choreographer, and creative director

Kameron Saunders
Saunders dancing in 2023
Born (1992-07-23) July 23, 1992 (age 32)
St. Louis, Missouri, US
EducationUniversity of Missouri–Kansas City (BFA, 2014)
Occupation(s)Dancer, choreographer, and creative director
Notable workSpirited (2022), The Color Purple (2023), The Eras Tour (2023–2024)
RelativesKhalen Saunders (brother)

Kameron N. Saunders (born July 23, 1992) is an American dancer, choreographer, and creative director. He is known for his work in Spirited (2022), Saucy Santana's "Booty" music video (2022), The Color Purple (2023), and The Eras Tour (2023–2024).

Early life and education

Saunders was born and raised in St. Louis and became interested in dance as a child. He attended the Center of Creative Arts on scholarship and joined the school's student dance company, COCADance. Following graduation, he studied dance for two years at Webster University before transferring to the University of Missouri–Kansas City's Conservatory of Music and Dance, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2014.

Career

Choreographer

Saunders began his career as a dance teacher and freelance choreographer in St. Louis. In 2018, he received a choreography fellowship from Jacob's Pillow, through which he was mentored by American dancer and choreographer Alonzo King. The following year, he moved to New York City, where he worked with dance studios such as Gibney Dance and Broadway Dance Center. In 2020, he served as the movement director for Burberry x Vogue's "If I Was An Animal" creative campaign.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Saunders started the K/P Project with his business partner Prince Lyons, with the goal of "creating performance opportunities for artists/dancers that are often overlooked".

Saunders was a finalist for the Princess Grace Award in Choreography in 2021 and won the award the following year. He has also received a Passion Project Grant from the Jaquel Knight Foundation. In 2023, Saunders was a choreographer for the Joffrey Academy of Dance's Winning Works Choreographic Competition, the only school and training program owned, operated, and endorsed by The Joffrey Ballet. His work, 'Warmer', premiered at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

Dancer

In 2021, Saunders was a principal dancer in the 2022 American holiday film Spirited, where he worked alongside Ryan Reynolds, Octavia Spencer, and Will Ferrell. The following year, he was a principal dancer in the 2023 American film The Color Purple, where he worked alongside Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, and Colman Domingo. Also in 2022, Saunders was a backup dancer for Lizzo's BET Awards.

In December of that year, Saunders was selected to be one of 15 backup dancers for Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour, touring globally with the artist from March 2023 to December 2024. He has a dance solo in the song "Bejeweled" and is the only dancer to have spoken lines in the choreography. In "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" Saunders exclaims "like ever!" at the end of the bridge. While performing internationally, Saunders learned local dialects and slang to state the phrase or something similar, including using Singlish slang with an "impeccable accent" while in Singapore, which garnered him praise among fans. After the addition of a set dedicated to The Tortured Poets Department, Saunders counts from 1 to 4 at the end of the second verse in "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart". However, similarly to his line in "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together", the counting is often done in the local language.

Legacy

On January 25, 2024, the Kansas City government named January 25 the "Kameron Saunders Day of Dance" to recognize Saunders's achievements. Kansas City Councilman Eric Bunch highlighted how "Kameron is a fierce advocate for broader representation and inclusion within the performing arts industry".

Personal life

Throughout his childhood, Saunders received negative comments about his body from dance instructors and audition directors because of his weight.

Saunders's brother, Khalen Saunders, is an American football player who has played in the National Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints. One of Khalen Saunders' former teammates, Travis Kelce, performed alongside Kameron Saunders during a 2024 Eras Tour performance in London.

References

  1. ^ Sen Gupta, Manas (March 8, 2024). "All about Kameron Saunders, who is winning hearts on The Eras Tour with Taylor Swift". Lifestyle Asia Singapore. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  2. ^ Gutierrez, Lisa (July 8, 2023). "'You are AMAZING!' Taylor Swift backup dancer has ties to Kansas City Chiefs and UMKC". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  3. ^ "Rising Stars: Meet Kameron Saunders". VoyageKC Magazine. January 7, 2022. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  4. "Kameron N. Saunders". Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  5. ^ West, Bryan (March 22, 2024). "The Eras Tour cast: Meet Taylor Swift's dancers, singers and band members". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 29, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  6. ^ Lee, Jan (March 7, 2024). "Taylor Swift's Eras Tour dancer Kameron Saunders charms Swifties with Singlish slang". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  7. Selvarajoo, Krithika (July 17, 2023). "Taylor Swift Eras Tour, Lizzo Are Part of This UMKC Dance Alum's Resume". University of Missouri–Kansas City. Archived from the original on December 18, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  8. West, Bryan (March 9, 2024). "Every way dancer Kameron Saunders has said 'like ever' on Taylor Swift's Eras Tour". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 30, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  9. Lim, Bryan (March 9, 2024). "From 'No lah' to 'Abuden': All the Singlish words Taylor Swift's dancer Kameron Saunders used". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on March 10, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  10. Roos, Meghan (January 26, 2024). "Kansas City Is Honoring One of Taylor Swift's Dancers in a Special Way". Parade. Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  11. Lane, Barnaby (October 17, 2023). "Taylor Swift fans have just noticed a longstanding connection between her and Travis Kelce — and it involves one of her dancers". Business Insider. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  12. "Eras Tour Dancer Kameron Saunders Calls Performance with Travis Kelce 'a Full Circle Moment' — and He Responds!". Peoplemag. Retrieved July 7, 2024.

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