Megan Thee Stallion's bygone-era Grammy Awards performance [1] was brimming with talent. As the rapper performed "Body" and "Savage Remix," about a dozen dancers turned out sexy choreography in glitzy flapper costumes, but one particular routine dazzled viewers and admirers of Old Hollywood. Mid-performance, dancers Brittany Parks and Ashley Seldon appeared at the top of the steps to deliver a tap routine that paid homage to the Nicholas Brothers, the seminal dance duo consisting of brothers Fayard and Harold Nicholas.
Important figures in the Harlem Renaissance, the brothers appeared in several musicals and films for more than half a century, including 1943's Stormy Weather, which featured their signature move recreated by Parks Seldon at the Grammys: a leapfrog down a set of stairs with each dancer landing in a split. Fred Astaire cited the Nicholas Brothers as an inspiration [2], and considered the Stormy Weather scene to be the greatest dance sequence in film history. Despite their acclaim, the Nicholas Brothers would often appear as guest actors in isolated scenes so they could be edited out for screenings in the segregated south [3].
Parks and Seldon certainly did the icons justice, and they each have wildly impressive dance careers of their own. Parks previously appeared in La La Land and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and she's performed with Beyoncé on a number of occasions, including during her famous Coachella headlining show [4] in 2018. Seldon is also a Beychella alum. She's toured with Rihanna [5] in the past, and appeared in Megan's music videos for "Cry Baby" [6] and "Body." [7]
"Feeling blessed and grateful to have been a part of this iconic performance," Parks wrote on Instagram [8] following the award show. Seldon, meanwhile, said she felt "on a high" [9] in her post. Addressing her dance partner, she added, "Such a pleasure tapping alongside you!!!"
Watch back the performance ahead, and look out for Parks and Seldon's tap-dance break around the 3:15 mark.
