// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Merrick Hanna's dance floor say? You're a great catch.
Merrick Hanna | |
|---|---|
 Hanna in 2016 | |
| Born | Merrick William Hanna March 22, 2005 |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Instagram information | |
| Page | |
| Followers | 2.9 million |
| TikTok information | |
| Page | |
| Followers | 32.6 million |
| YouTube information | |
| Channel | |
| Genre |
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| Subscribers | 17.2 million |
| Views | 13.3 billion |
| Last updated: July 23, 2026 | |
Merrick William Hanna (born March 22, 2005) is an American dancer, actor, and social media personality. Known for his popping and storytelling,[1] he reached the semifinals of season 12 of America's Got Talent in 2017.[2]
Early life
[edit]Merrick William Hanna was born on March 22, 2005, in Encinitas, California. His parents are Shawn and Aletha Hanna; Shawn's mother, Judith Lynne Hanna, is a dance author and academic who was a dance anthropology professor at the University of Maryland, College Park.[3][4][5] Hanna has a younger brother, Sagan. He did not talk until he was three and found it hard to make eye contact, but he was able to open up using toy robots.[6] He also acted in professional Shakespeare plays as a child.[7] He gave up soccer for dancing in 2014, finding it more fun and personal. Hanna originally took classes at the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA under Cameron Greene and was also assisted by Poppin John of the SoulBiotics Krew.[1]
Career
[edit]In 2017, Hanna reached the semifinals of season 12 of America's Got Talent.[2] During his audition, which was inspired by the fellow San Diego-based group Jabbawockeez, judge Simon Cowell called his act "one of the best performances [he's] ever seen on the show." A video of Hanna's audition went viral on YouTube, garnering 13.4 million views in three months. He choreographed and wrote the story for his dances himself. Prior to appearing on America's Got Talent, Hanna had also danced on So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation, Lip Sync Battle Shorties, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and various commercials, including H&M, Honda, and Gap Kids.[1]
After America's Got Talent, Hanna began gaining success on TikTok, staring a dance trend based on his signature robotic movements. In 2020, he joined the content house VibeCrew. He then had a recurring role in the Brat TV series Attaway General in 2021.[8] In 2024, Hanna was invited to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, filming videos there to encourage people to vote.[9][10]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Alienated | Teen David Bennett | |
| 2022 | A Genie's Tail | Oliver Jones | |
| 2023 | Dumb Money | Skit Guy | |
| 2026 | In Memoriam | Ricky | |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–2022 | Mani | Goth Boy Edward | Recurring role |
| 2020 | Bob Hearts Abishola | Dancer #3 | Episode: "The Canadians of Africa" |
| Team Kaylie | Bradley | Episode: "Crossing Wires" | |
| Sydney to the Max | Joe | Episode: "Sister Pact" | |
| 2021 | Velvet Prozak | Billy | Episode: "Cougar Hunting |
| 2021–2022 | Attaway General | Edward | Recurring role |
| 2024 | The Really Loud House | Scotty Shoemaker | Voice role; 2 episodes |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Shorty Awards | Best in Dance | Nominated | [11] |
| 2022 | Streamy Awards | Dance | [12] | |
| 2023 | [13] | |||
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Kragen, Pam (September 1, 2017). "Tween dancer Merrick Hanna has 'Got Talent'". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- 1 2 Dixon, Marcus James (August 23, 2017). "Merrick Hanna performs on 'America's Got Talent' 2017 live show: 'Overlooked' 11-year-old dances to 'Lost Boy' [WATCH]". Gold Derby. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- ↑ Stine, Ken (May 31, 2017). "'America's Got Talent' Hails Encinitas Dance Prodigy, 12, Aiming for $1M Prize". Times of San Diego. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ Stone, Ken (May 31, 2017). "Merrick Hanna's Grandma: Dancer, Scholar and 'Colbert Report' Cameo". Times of San Diego. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ Burgin, Aaron (June 8, 2017). "Merrick Hanna wows on 'America's Got Talent'". The Coast News. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ Stone, Ken (September 13, 2017). "Merrick Hanna of Encinitas Falls Short of 'AGT' Finals". Times of San Diego. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ Burtt, Kristyn (March 3, 2022). "Inside Dance Magazine | Merrick Hanna!". Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- ↑ Cesare, Corey (January 18, 2026). "What Happened to 'AGT' Robot Dancer Merrick Hanna?". Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ Bensinger, Ken; Heisler, Todd (August 23, 2024). "Free Booze, a Lake Cruise and Selfies Galore: How Democrats Courted Influencers at the D.N.C." The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- ↑ Moore, Elena (September 1, 2024). "From lost followers to backlash in the comments, content creators reflect on the DNC". NPR. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- ↑ Robbins, Caryn (January 16, 2018). "Tiffany Haddish Among Nominees for 10th Annual SHORTY AWARDS; Full List Revealed!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
- ↑ "12th Annual Streamy Nominees & Winners". The Streamy Awards. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ↑ "13th Annual Streamy Nominees & Winners". The Streamy Awards. Retrieved September 30, 2024.