Wedding videos can sometimes be mundane—unless they hold a special place in your heart. In October 2016, Mikayla and Cody Phillips, a Utah couple, defied wedding norms with a dance video that has since gone viral, garnering over 41.4 million views on YouTube!
Mikayla, 25, a trained dancer, met her groom Cody at the International Folk Dance Ensemble at Brigham Young University. Their wedding not only celebrated their union but also catapulted them into internet stardom!
Mikayla planned an unforgettable surprise for their 400 guests, teaming up with her dad, Nathan Ellison, for an extraordinary father-daughter dance. Instead of sticking to traditional ballroom routines, they wowed the audience with a four-minute mash-up of Top 40 hits and contemporary dance moves.
They started with the classic “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle, lulling the crowd into a false sense of nostalgia. Suddenly, the music switched to MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This,” and Mikayla and Nathan, sporting matching sunglasses, broke into energetic disco moves, thrilling the guests.
Their lively rendition of the “running man” to Sugarhill Gang’s “Apache (Jump On It)” was a crowd favorite, followed by a lively sequence to LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem.” The duo even included Bollywood-style moves, Tom Jones impressions, and a playful dip to Dawin’s “Dessert.” Despite Mikayla’s veil mishap, Nathan stole the show with his enthusiasm, dancing like a pro alongside his daughter.
In an interview with ABC, Mikayla shared, “I’ve danced my whole life, but my dad hasn’t.” Despite being a salesman, Nathan embraced the challenge, practicing with Mikayla for just one week. They carefully selected meaningful songs, which Cody then mixed into an epic four-minute track.
This dance was particularly special for Nathan, as Mikayla is his only daughter. He had always dreamed of a memorable father-daughter dance, and their performance more than delivered. Mikayla explained, “He’s talked about doing this for years, and he finally convinced me.” Their preparation paid off, creating a moment that captivated not only their wedding guests but millions of viewers worldwide.