Hailing from America, multi-talented teenager Connor Finnerty has competed on Dance-Off Juniors, performed on Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards and has danced alongside the cast of The Greatest Showman for a commercial. Along with his dance career, Connor also runs a YouTube channel with his Connorville vlogs and has recently released his debut single A Million Degrees. Last week, Connor chatted to us about his love of dance, his YouTube channel and his latest music release.
Can you tell us about your latest single A Million Degrees?
My latest song, A Million Degrees, is about me trying to express to this certain someone how I feel when we’re together.
How was it filming the music video for this track?
Filming the video was a lot of fun! I had my closest friends in the video which made shooting the video a great experience.
What encouraged you to start your “Connorville” vlogs, and can you tell us about them and your YouTube channel?
I launched “Connorville” to show what I do with friends or just in everyday life. It’s for the people who support me, or who follow my career. The name “Connorville” was my dad’s idea. Because I was born and raised in Roseville, California until I was twelve years old, we thought it would be fun to call the vlog “Connorville” which combined the “ville” in Roseville with my name. My YouTube channel is just a combination of dance videos, vlogs, and some challenges. I’m not as active on YouTube as I would like to be, mainly because of school, but I plan to do more this summer and after I graduate from high school next year (2020).
How did you find your time on the set of “The Greatest Showman” commercial, and how was it watching the final video?
My time filming The Greatest Showman live commercial was incredible! Having the opportunity to work and dance with Zac Efron, Hugh Jackman, Zendaya and all the incredible dancers is one of my most memorable experiences in the industry these last four years.
What do you enjoy most about dancing?
It’s hard to say what I enjoy most about dancing. When I dance, I feel it’s a way to express myself. I love how the music makes me feel. There is a social aspect to dancing too. Often times you’re with your friends in class, and on occasion we’ll do things after class. My favourite dance style is hip hop.
Have you had a favourite dance routine you’ve performed?
I don’t have a favourite dance routine because there are just too many to choose from, and I don’t want to single one out, because I’m respectful all of the choreographers I have worked with. Each dance has a different story. Without question, I enjoy dancing to songs that I really like and that is where I would have some favourites, but I don’t want to say which ones. Haha.
What is the experience like performing at Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards?
I have had the opportunity to perform at the Kids’ Choice Awards twice, in 2018 and 2019. Both times were so much fun! In 2018, I performed with John Cena and N.E.R.D, and this year I performed with DJ Khaled and JoJo Siwa. Performing in front of such a big crowd gets you so pumped up!
What was your time like on Dance-Off Juniors?
Dance-Off Juniors was one of my first big jobs I got when I moved down to Los Angeles. I had just turned thirteen years old, but I looked younger. Lol. Auditioning and finding out I would be on the show was very exciting.
Where does your love of dance stem from?
I always loved music, and I loved performing for my parents in our living room when I was a kid. I was a huge Michael Jackson fan when I was little, so just imagine me dancing to some MJ songs back in the elementary school days. HAHA!
How long does it take you to choreograph a routine?
I’m not a choreographer at all. I could choreograph some dance combos if I really gave it an effort, but it’s just not something I’m interested in.
You appeared in Michael Bublé’s music video for I Believe in You, what was this like to film?
I appeared in the Michael Bublé music video, I Believe In You back in 2017. Shooting the video and playing the younger version of Derek Hough was a blast. Derek also directed the music video, which many people don’t know. Fun fact: Derek let me where his sweater in the music video and gave me his socks. Lol (I needed white socks and wardrobe had none.). My grandparents have always been HUGE Derek Hough fans, and when I was on-set, Derek called my grandparents on a FaceTime call.
How long were you filming for Johnny Orlando and Mackenzie Ziegler’s music video, “What If”, and how much fun was it on set?
The music video was shot in one (long) day. It was very cold out that day, and wet and windy too. I was happy most of my scenes were inside. It’s always a lot of fun to be on set with your friends.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I would have to say that in my spare time, what I enjoy doing the most is just hanging out with friends, going to the movies, going to Disneyland, watching sports, listening to music, and I just recently started skateboarding again.
What would you say is the best aspect of your career?
The best part of my career is having all of these amazing people who support me. Seeing and hearing how much I inspire them to dance, or model, or just to take a chance and pursue a passion. I tell anyone who is listening that they need to do all they can to follow their dreams. I hope I’m setting an example of how hard work and determination pays off, but also how the pursuit never ends. There is still so much I have not done in my young career, so the book is constantly being written, and believe me, there are plenty of difficult times. This isn’t easy.
Do you have any projects you are currently working on?
I do have several things I am working on, some I can’t say at this time, but you can expect more music soon. Stay tuned!
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Categories: Dance, home, Interview, YouTube/Online Content