Southwest's Dancing Social Media Sensation

Image: PHOTO: Kyran Ashford says his tarmac dance performances are designed to brighten people's day. (photo via Flickr/Andrew Nash)
Image: PHOTO: Kyran Ashford says his tarmac dance performances are designed to brighten people's day. (photo via Flickr/Andrew Nash)
Mia Taylor
by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 6:41 PM ET, Mon October 30, 2017

The next time you're on a Southwest flight out of Greater Rochester International Airport take a peek out the window before the plane takes off.

You may just be lucky enough to witness Kyran Ashford grooving his way across the tarmac.

Ashford and his dance moves have become something of a social media sensation.

When not busy scanning boarding passes, Ashford, who works with Southwest, doubles as a ramp agent, helping to direct planes in and out of the gate. Rather than let his time on the tarmac go by unnoticed, he uses the opportunity to provide a little much-needed entertainment for travelers.

One of his performances was recently captured by a passenger who uploaded a video to Facebook that has since been viewed three million times and elicited more than 45,000 reactions and 50,000 shares, according to Fox News.

Passenger Terry McBride, who shot the video, added the following caption in his post: "So this just happened out my window as I was leaving New York headed back home to Nashville. This guy rocks! #TarmacDancer #EmployeeOfTheMonth #TGIF #Southwest."

If you're not likely to fly out of Rochester's airport on Southwest Airlines anytime soon, not to worry, Ashford (aka The Tarmac Dancer) also has a YouTube channel.

When interviewed by the local Democrat & Chronicle, Ashford said he is overwhelmed by all the attention and support his dancing has received on social media.

"I'm mind blown by this whole thing," he told the paper. "I got no sleep last night, just watching all the reviews come in."

As for what inspired the performances, Ashford says he is merely trying to brighten people's day and feels that is part of his job as an airport employee.

"You don't know why these people are flying out…they could be going to a funeral," he said.

He aims to give at least one passenger 30 seconds of positive vibes before the plane takes off on its journey.

"Everything I've been doing, that's all part of who I am," said Ashford. "My mother raised me to be the type of man to walk around with great character and to never be ashamed of who they are."

No word on what's next for Ashford.

Perhaps an appearance on the Ellen Degeneres show (who famously rocks her own dance moves at the start of each show) or America's Got Talent?

Your move Ellen. Your move.


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Mia Taylor

Mia Taylor

Senior Editor

Mia Taylor is an award-winning journalist who has two decades of experience. Most recently she worked as a staff writer for America's largest digital publisher DotdashMeredith, where she contributed stories on a daily basis to four of the company's most iconic brands - Parents,Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, and Health. Her work has also appeared in Travel + Leisure, The Boston Globe, The San Diego UnionTribune, Westways Magazine, Fortune, and more.

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