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Backup Dancers Reveal Major Technical Issue During Harry Styles' Grammy Performance
Harry Styles had a big night on Sunday, taking home two Grammys including the coveted Album of the Year for Harry's House. Styles even got the opportunity to perform his hit "As It Was' on the Grammys stage, but the performance didn't go quite as planned.
For 10 days, the song's performers practiced and finely tuned difficult choreography that required dancing on a spinning turntable, a challenge in itself. Some dancers noted by the final day of rehearsal, all the pieces came together and the run through was "gorgeous."
Cut to Sunday night in front of a live audience and viewers at home.
Dancer Brandon Mathis shared what happened next on TikTok.
@mickjaggerharry hoping whoever was in charge of that got fired #harrystyles #grammys #2023 #dancers #fyp #professional #harries #asitwas #GetCrackin #harryshouse #aoty
Performers including Styles and band members took their places, but as soon as the song began panic set in.
The turntable started on cue, but it was spinning in the opposite direction!
Given their hours of practice and executing intricate footwork and balance techniques on a spinning dance floor in only one direction, the dancers and Styles had to think quickly on their feet—literally—to try to create a similarly stunning piece while in reverse.
Dancer Brandon Mathis shared:
"The moment the curtain opened, and it was time to perform, the turntable started spinning in reverse.
"Backward. Freaking all of us out on live television. And there was nothing we could do to stop it."
"So after a week of rehearsing this piece perfectly going this way, the moment it's time to perform, it starts going [the other] way."
"And in real time, we have to troubleshoot and try to do a complete piece in reverse. Talk about professionalism."
Dancer Dexter echoed the number was flawless and beautiful, "amazing." They shared they tried to get the attention of the technician but to no avail.
In the end, Dexter revealed they were able to come together for some of the key moments and even Styles had to do his part in reverse while singing.
"Luckily, we worked together and did our best and got to one cool formation in time for the overhead shot but had to kind of change the rest, and Harry did his best to be able to walk in reverse and everything while he was singing."
WARNING: Contains NSFW language
\u201c@monacommish I feel horrible for everyone\u201d— mona (@mona) 1675718077
It turns out Styles himself was subtly trying to get the attention of the technician to reverse the rotation, but like the others' attempts his also went unnoticed.
\u201chis fingers showing the turntable was going in the wrong direction, he was trying to tell them something was wrong \ud83d\ude2d oh my god \u201d— \ud83c\udf82 3X GRAMMY WINNER HARRY STYLES (@\ud83c\udf82 3X GRAMMY WINNER HARRY STYLES) 1675720841
Many on Twitter applauded the dancers and Styles for their dedication to the piece and for continuing the performance while having to adjust in real time.
Cohesively nailing the choreography on a turn table is in itself a demanding undertaking, but to attempt to do it in reverse on the fly is absolutely commendable.
\u201cWow just read that the turntable for @Harry_Styles performance on the Grammy\u2019s was turning the wrong direction from what they practiced when they went live. Props to Harry and the amazing dancers for improvising and adjusting on the fly! That is not easy to do\u201d— Emily Yula (@Emily Yula) 1675787531
\u201cI watched with Major Pride, Amazement, and in Complete Happy Tears Sunday Night. @Harry_Styles Yours,the Dancers,the Musicians performance was Phenomenal!After finding out the situation with the turntable, Harry, Beautiful Soul,Professionalism at it Finest. So Very Proud of You\ud83c\udf1f\u201d— Raynette (@Raynette) 1675782670
\u201cThey're lucky someone didn't get hurt. Kudos to #HarryStyles and all the dancers for being able to adjust in a live #Grammy performance to the turntable they're all dancing on going the wrong direction. Troubleshooting on the fly, as a group. True professionalism\u201d— S\u00e9agh (@S\u00e9agh) 1675717737
\u201c@RojSmith So\u2026 Harry Styles performed As It Was at the Grammys, and everyone thought it was a bit under par but then it turns out the turntable they were dancing on went the opposite way to rehearsals so they ALL DID BRILLIANTLY. Bet you\u2019re glad you asked.\u201d— Lisa Marks (@Lisa Marks) 1675775561
\u201cCan we just appreciate the fact that clumsy Harry still managed to sing, dance and didn't fall EVENTHOUGH this turntable has turned in the WRONG DIRECTION \ud83e\udd79 #GRAMMYs #HarryStyles #asitwas\u201d— Sonja \ud83c\udf34 (@Sonja \ud83c\udf34) 1675789380
\u201cWow. One of the @Harry_Styles dancers says the turntable was unexpectedly turning in the wrong direction last night. And everyone had to adjust on the fly. Incredible that they were still able to pull it off so beautifully! https://t.co/A5U1EFKLfe\u201d— Brittany Bailey (@Brittany Bailey) 1675730096
\u201cMad respect for @Harry_Styles and all his background dancers for their performance at the #GRAMMYs\nThe way they adjusted to the turntable spinning the wrong way is unbelievable!!\nAs someone who danced for a long time I can only imagine the effort and brilliance they put into it!!\u201d— 28 \ud83c\udf08 (@28 \ud83c\udf08) 1675750361
\u201cI learned today that Harry Styles\u2019 Grammy performance was a beautiful display of utter professionalism. The turntable they were on was moving in the wrong direction & all performers had to adjust on the spot on live tv. I heavily applaud every one of them.\u201d— Savannah Bowen (@Savannah Bowen) 1675742042
Several also chimed in they would love to see the performance as it was intended.
\u201cAll that hard preperation by Harry & the dancers! \nWould be AMAZING to see the true choreographed performance when the turntable is going clockwise,it must be stunning @Harry_Styles\nIt was still a beautiful performance by all of you \ud83d\udc9a https://t.co/8IUxESWosF\u201d— Kyles \ud83e\udd5d\ud83d\udc1d \ud83c\udf08 (@Kyles \ud83e\udd5d\ud83d\udc1d \ud83c\udf08) 1675755424
\u201cpetition to see harry's original grammy performance with the turntable spinning the right way this time. make it happen bestie @Harry_Styles\u201d— v\ud83c\udf19 (@v\ud83c\udf19) 1675724581
\u201cSo practicing integrate dance moves for 10 days and have to adjust when turntable is reversed for the live show...wish we could see the real performance @Harry_Styles so proud of you\u201d— Mairi Huizinga (@Mairi Huizinga) 1675737880
The dancers worked tirelessly to create a performance they were unable to showcase.
Kudos to all of them for their passion and dedication to their craft.
You can watch the full altered on the fly performance below.
\u201c#HarryStyles #AsItWas #GRAMMYs #music #Musica \nHarry Styles | As It Was (GRAMMYs Performance 2023 Live) - Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance awarded to Harry Styles - As It Was\u201d— Talent Agency Royal Chic (@Talent Agency Royal Chic) 1675702802