Ahead of her upcoming visit to Dubai in 2026, dancer, choreographer, and digital creator GiaNina Paolantonio reflects on building a business on TikTok.

When GiaNina Paolantonio arrives in Dubai as part of her 2026 world dance tour, it will mark another milestone in a career that has evolved far beyond the stage.

Paolantonio’s performance résumé is formidable. She began her professional career at the age of nine on Broadway in Matilda the Musical, went on to appear as a principal ballerina in The Greatest Showman, toured with Mariah Carey on her All I Want for Christmas Is You tour, and later starred in Season 8 of Dance Moms.

Yet it is her ability to translate elite performance credentials into a scalable digital business that now defines the next chapter of her career.

In late 2024, Paolantonio formally stepped into choreography, teaching weekly classes at Millennium Dance Studio and Playground LA, two of Los Angeles’ most respected dance institutions. In early 2025, she launched her first world dance tour which continues in 2026, with planned stops across the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania—including Dubai and Saudi Arabia—alongside return dates in Australia.

While the live component remains central, Paolantonio has been equally deliberate in building her digital presence into a business. TikTok, in particular, has become a cornerstone. Her choreography to Jennifer Lopez’s “On the Floor” went viral in 2025, generating nearly half a billion views across platforms.

The growth of her brand was gradual rather than explosive. “Day by day,” Paolantonio explains. “It definitely isn’t something that happened overnight, but over time—and within a year—I had a platform that was monetarily helping me stand on my own two feet. It formed into a career and a brand.”

Early on, she admits, there was no blueprint. “We were all a bit blind going into this. But by watching others, learning, and molding things to fit my own brand, it eventually became second nature.”

A key lesson has been discipline—both physical and mental. “I’ve always preached that as a dancer, being athletic is the number one thing that will help you succeed,” she says. Her days may lack routine, but training does not. “My life is always chaotic, but it’s honestly how I like it. I love that I don’t wake up to the same schedule every day. The one constant is staying active—plus a matcha in the morning.”

That adaptability extends to her approach to TikTok. “Consistency is everything—but not in the way people think,” she says. “Posting the same thing every day in the same niche can actually hurt you. You want a platform with a million different outlets. That’s what gives you longevity.” Her own content reflects daily life, rehearsals, classes, travel, and creative experimentation. “Posting doesn’t feel like work because I’m not posting things I don’t like. I’m just sharing my life.”

Equally important has been selectivity with brand partnerships. “Working with brands that match your brand is the key to success,” Paolantonio says. “It’s OK to say no to things that don’t align. Protecting your brand matters, and I’ve done that for years.” That discipline has helped her maintain credibility both within the dance community and with commercial partners.

The business mindset, she notes, developed early. “I’ve had to have an adult mindset since the age of 10,” she says. “That came with time, experience, and maturity.” It is a perspective that earned her the Innovator of the Year award at the 2025 Industry Dance Awards and positioned her as a creative leader beyond performance. In 2025, she also directed, choreographed, and starred in Kylie Cantrall’s music video for “Goody Bag,” further cementing her creative authority.

As she prepares for Dubai and the next phase of her tour, Paolantonio is focused as much on cultural exchange as career expansion. “I’m excited to learn about the culture,” she says. “This past year, I’ve visited places I never thought I’d get to. At 20, being able to experience different dance communities—and everyday life in these countries—is something I don’t take for granted.”