Nanaimo teen's viral dance video earns more than 22 million views
When Jacksun was younger he dreamed of lacing-up a pair of space-boots.
"For a long time I wanted to be an astronaut," the now 18-year-old says.
Instead of wanting to blast-off into space, when Carlow was little, he hoped to lift up people’s moods.
"Just putting smiles on people’s faces," 19-year-old Carlow says. "I loved that."
But then Jacksun saw an out-of-this-world dance performance on TV.
"I see these dudes spinning on their heads doing crazy stuff," Jackson remembers. "Let’s try that! I want to do that!"
Just like when Carlow couldn’t stop smiling after happening upon a local dance performance.
"‘That’s so cool mom!’" Carlow recalls saying. "‘Look at them! I want to do that!’"
Fast-forward a decade or so and Jacksun and Carlow found themselves in the same city, in the same dance class.
"We had good chemistry right off the bat," Jacksun says.
"There’s something going on here," Carlow remembers thinking. "We should definitely do something!"
They decided to become a duo named Funkenometry and started winning bigger and bigger dance competitions.
"And when we performed in L.A. we got scouted for [the TV show] ‘World of Dance,’" Jacksun says.
Jacksun and Carlow impressed the Jennifer Lopez-led judges panel enough to make it through three rounds on the reality show’s third season, and be invited back for the fourth.
"We could actually take dancing as a career," Carlow says.
Their professional prospects couldn’t have been going better until along came COVID-19 and they returned home.
"Everyone was freaking out," Jackson says.
"I was scared," Carlow admits.
The pair didn’t see each other for months, until they came up with a plan.
"We couldn’t go perform," Jackson says, before Carlow adds: "So let’s bring it to them on the screen."
They started posting videos of themselves on Facebook and Tik Tok, performing energetic dances choreographed to infectious songs ranging from the Bee Gees to Stevie Wonder. They were shot all over Nanaimo from bowling alley lanes to a wedding vow surprise.
"It’s crazy!" Jackson smiles.
"I didn’t expect it to blow up like it did," Carlow adds.
The Funkenometry dance videos have earned hundreds of thousands of followers and this ‘Stayin’ Alive’ performance on Facebook has been viewed more than 22 million times.
"The biggest thing we want people to take away from our videos is a smile," Jackson says.
"And maybe inspire them to go dance or something," Carlow adds.
"And just kind of follow your dreams!" Jackson says.
Because even if you don’t end up as an astronaut travelling to space, you could still find yourself like Funkanometry — en route to becoming stars.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.