Who knew that a world-wide pandemic would let a duo dance their way into the hearts of millions?
But that’s just what happened when a father and daughter posted their TikTok dance challenges during the Covid pandemic.
Kelly Revell, a 63-year-old retired accountant, and his daughter Brittany, a 30-year-old physical therapist, have become an instant hit online, showing off their dance moves in throughout various TikTok videos.
Brittany said that she and her father have been dancing together since she was little, but it had always been just for fun in the living room.
The father/daughter duo during their early days of dancing. Photo from Instagram
He has always had some rhythm, but I did not know he could pick up the moves like that,” she said.
Despite not having any formal dance background, Kelly has become a sensation online. The duo’s videos have brought joy to people during the pandemic.
“When I was younger, things seemed to come a little easier,” Kelly said. “I see her move, and she’s like, ‘We’ll do this dance’ – and it looks so easy on her. But she is patient with me. And we practice. Once you get that little rhythm, then I feel much better.”
The idea for the videos started while the father and daughter were working at home during quarantine. “We were spending lots of time at home, and I saw him working hard in the living room and wanted to get up and move,” Brittany said. She saw the TikTok dance challenge and needed a partner. “Why not get my dad involved and get him moving?” Little did they know that their first video was going to get one million views in one day.
@bnrevell Reason number 1838329194920 why I love my dad. 🫶🏼🥹 #thatdougietho #fatherdaughter #weddingtok ♬ original sound – Brittany Revell
Brittany and Kelly’s latest video that went viral features them dancing to the song “Teach Me How to Dougie” by Cali Swag District at her wedding. The video has garnered more than 40 million views on TikTok. Brittany said the dance was part of their “dance through the decades” performance, which also included moves like the Tootsie Roll, the Hammer dance, and the Carlton. Brittany and her father knew the attendees would love seeing the nostalgic dance moves.
Brittany Revell dances with her father at her wedding. Photo by Raven Berlin
“I think it’s kind of unique to see a dad of Asian descent be able to open up, let loose and just embrace their American child’s music and culture,” Brittany said. She added that her father has been a great partner, and their TikTok videos have brought them even closer. “I think we have similar personalities, but I also feel like I’ve been able to get him out of his comfort zone a little bit more, which has been really fun because I feel like he’s watched me grow as I’ve gotten older, but now I feel like I’m able to see him grow a little bit too,” she said.
The father-daughter duo has also received recognition for their videos. “He had a mask on and a hat on, and somebody recognized him. He wears the same hoodie in every video, so I think they recognized that,” Brittany said.
My colleagues were totally surprised, because I’m a pretty reserved, conservative person at work,” Kelly said. “It’s like I’m living a double life.”
Brittany said she’s grateful for her close relationship with her dad and the videos they make together.
“When I read the comments, some of them are really touching. Some people have lost their dad or they don’t have a good relationship with their dad, and they tell us how inspiring our relationship is for them to be better with their future kids,” she said.
“I think that’s what means the most to us. We’re able to reach a whole population that we would never have reached without the internet. I just hope that we can continue to make people smile and bring happiness into people’s days even for 30 seconds.”
Watch the amazing duo below.
