Harry Styles’ choreographer reveals how he ‘pushed singer out of his comfort zone’ with high-octane dance routine at the BRIT Awards

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The choreographer behind Harry Styles’ dance routines for his ‘Aperture’ music video and BRIT Awards show explained how he encouraged the singer to try more challenging moves and step outside his usual style.

Oh my gosh, Ryan Heffington – you know, the genius behind Sia’s ‘Chandelier’ video? He was raving about Harry! Apparently, Harry, bless his heart, was so dedicated to learning this incredibly difficult dance routine, and Ryan was just blown away by his bravery. It’s amazing because I heard Harry hadn’t really danced in years, so for him to just go for it like that? I’m seriously obsessed!

While in One Direction, the band intentionally steered clear of choreographed dance routines to differentiate themselves from typical boy bands.

Harry thrilled fans last week by kicking off the BRIT Awards with an energetic performance of ‘Aperture,’ backed by a group of dancers. It marked his first stage appearance in nearly three years.

The performance quickly became popular online, getting 3.8 million views on YouTube as people praised the pop star’s smooth and impressive dance skills.

Ryan recently revealed what it was like working with Harry on the music video’s choreography and then adjusting it for his performance at the BRIT Awards. He explained that the goal of the dance routine was to encourage Harry to try something new and step outside of what he’s used to.

In an interview with The Times, he spoke highly of Harry, describing him as both kind and a dedicated worker. He also shared that Harry insisted on performing all his own stunts in the music video, refusing to use a double.

He described wanting to make the music visible through movement. The singer would perform a word, and his body would physically represent the melody of that word. He found the process very enjoyable.

Ryan explained that they had very limited rehearsal time for the BRITs performance. Fortunately, Harry had already mastered most of the choreography and put in a lot of effort to perfect it.

He wasn’t looking for an easy time; he was determined to master the performance and give it his all. The other dancers were clearly exhausted, but Harry performed flawlessly,” he said admiringly.

After Harry’s actions went viral, Ryan commented that it took real courage for him to keep experimenting and putting himself out there, especially with how quickly people jump to criticize.

He praised Harry, saying it’s challenging to learn and grow when constantly under public scrutiny. There’s a lot of pressure for performers like him to be instantly perfect, and many people face harsh criticism when they try new things. However, he believes Harry is now more mature, self-assured, and level-headed, which will help him navigate those challenges.

One Direction stood out from earlier boy bands like *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block, and Five because they emphasized singing and connecting with the audience during performances, rather than relying on highly polished, synchronized dance moves.

The group acknowledged their own shortcomings but also felt the synchronized routines lacked authenticity and natural flow.

In a 2013 interview with Glamour magazine, Liam Payne, who sadly passed away, jokingly admitted that the band wasn’t known for their dance moves. He explained they openly said they weren’t dancers, were a little lazy, and considered themselves just regular guys, adding that he thought they looked silly trying to dance.

Zayn Malik, who used to be in the band, explained that they didn’t want to be like typical boy bands. They specifically didn’t want to include dancing and simply wanted to be a group of five friends making music together.

Harry explained that pretending to be someone you’re not will eventually fall apart. Someone will realize it’s an act, so he believes it’s always best to just be yourself from the beginning.

Harry’s new album, ‘Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally,’ was released on Friday and has been well-received by both critics and fans.

KISSCO, as he’s known to his fans, has earned numerous four-star reviews. Critics, including one from The Independent, have praised him for creating music that feels authentic to his style.

Harry’s new music marks his comeback as a pop icon, blending elements of disco and rock. You can hear influences from artists like LCD Sound System, the funky style of Prince, and the atmospheric sound of The Durutti Column.

The album features these songs: Aperture, American Girls, Ready, Steady, Go!, Are You Listening Yet?, Taste Back, The Waiting Game, Season 2 Weight Loss, Coming Up Roses, Pop, Dance No More, Paint by Numbers, and Carla’s Song.

This latest work is being called his most creative and daring yet. He bravely explores personal themes like love, growing up, and losing that sense of childhood wonder.

Oh my gosh, even The Times loved it! They gave it four stars, and the reviewer got it – they said it sounded like everyone was just having fun, like a real group of friends jamming together. It wasn’t overproduced or anything, just pure, joyful music! I knew it was special, and it’s amazing to see others recognize that raw energy!

Reviewers noted that Harry’s singing is airy and effortless, but lacks deep emotional intensity. He often seems to take inspiration from iconic performers like Jagger and Bowie, mirroring their styles rather than forging his own.

Rolling Stone called the album the ‘perfect summer soundtrack,’ noting it both honors the pioneers of dance music and marks an exciting new direction for the artist’s solo career.

Harry premiered his new album at a special concert in Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Friday. A small group of fans won a lottery for the £20 tickets to attend, and the performance was recorded and released on Netflix on Sunday.

This concert kicks off a series of performances across seven countries as part of his Together Together tour. He’s scheduled to perform a total of 50 shows, with multi-day stays in each city.

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2026-03-08 12:49