Ballet and pop music have had a long relationship, with choreographers looking to pop music for inspiration for their next work and pop superstars featuring dancers in their videos and ballet’s top choreographers behind the lens. Seeing Olivia Rodrigo’s latest music video got us curious—what other music videos showcase our beloved art form?
“stupid song” by Olivia Rodrigo
Rodrigo’s latest music video features dancers from New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre—India Bradley, Grace Scheffel, Kayla Mak, Kennedy Targosz, Kloe Walker, Lauren Collett, Roomie Tomasini, and Tiler Peck, who also choreographed the video. Peck later told People, “I did not grow up a ballerina. I grew up doing ballet, but the songs I mostly loved and that got me dancing were my lyrical and jazz solos at my studio and competitions. And so for me to get to do the style that I do now, like ballet, but be able to dance to something that is more in the pop culture and has lyrics, I love the lyrics because I feel like you can really feel even more in the music as opposed to when it’s just classical music.”
“Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
This is the first ballet music video that most people think of. Released in 2014, it features professional ballet and contemporary dancers, and costumes from Ballet West’s Swan Lake. The video opens on dancers stretching at the barre; the story goes that the dancers gave Taylor some stretching tips.
“I Bet” by Ciara
While we don’t recommend dancing in pointe shoes until your body is fully trained and you’ve been cleared to do so by a professional, Ciara does look great in the white leg warmers and leotard. And we love the “dancer on a jewelry box” opening.
“Spectrum” by Florence + The Machine
Florence + The Machine teamed up with California’s Southland Ballet Academy/Festival Ballet Theatre for this one. We love the interaction between Florence Welch and the dancers, and the variety of dancing on show—from Swan Lake–inspired movements to partnering and lifts. Plus the appearance of one dancer who looks eerily like Florence. Stunning.
“Conqueror” by Estelle
While not the official music video, we love this one. Misty Copeland looks beautiful and powerful, dancing alone in a studio. And for those of us who know her incredible journey, the lyric’s theme of perseverance is perfect.
“Runaway” by Kanye West
Not to be confused with Kyle Abraham’s The Runaway—which premiered at New York City Ballet in 2018 and uses Kanye’s music alongside songs by James Blake, Jay-Z, and Nico Nuhly—this music video combines hip-hop and ballet. Choreographed by Yemi Akinyemi, it features dancers in black tutus performing solos, duets, and ensemble moments. “I was just moved by the classic dance,” Kanye told MTV at the time, “and I just wanted to crash it against the pop music.”
“You Ruin Me” by The Veronicas
The music video for this breakup ballad from this Australian duo has a story and visuals inspired by Black Swan, and features another set of siblings—dancers Kahlia and Karinna Greksa.
“Hold Me Forever” by Money
Despite not having seen ballet before, actor Cillian Murphy chose to focus his lens on English National Ballet dancers for this music video—his directorial debut. Through his eyes, barre exercises that dancers do daily take on an extraordinary beauty.
“True Love” by Coldplay
Choreographed by Blanca Li, this video charts the struggles and resilience of two misfit characters—played by frontman Chris Martin and actress Jessica Lucas—who dream of being dancers.
“Better Than Love” by Hurts
This was the British band’s first professionally made music video, and features an eerie audition scene reminiscent of Swan Lake and Black Swan, where two dancers—one in white, one in black—are competing against each other.
Featured Image: Olivia Rodrigo with dancers from New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. Photo Courtesy of Tiler Peck.
