7 Shocking Facts About Alyssa Santos: The American Dancer Who Stole The Show At The 2025 GRAMMYs

The question of Alyssa Santos's nationality and background has become a viral search query, especially following her high-profile appearances with some of the biggest names in global music. As of December 15, 2025, the professional dancer and choreographer Alyssa Santos is confirmed to be an American national. She has rapidly ascended from a highly trained studio dancer to a global stage star, captivating audiences with her versatility and powerful presence in music videos and live performances.

Her recent performance alongside global icon Shakira at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards has cemented her status as one of the industry's most in-demand talents, but it was her starring role in BTS member J-Hope’s "Killin’ It" music video that first brought her to international attention. This deep dive explores her complete profile, answers the burning questions about her background, and reveals the multifaceted career that extends far beyond the dance floor.

Alyssa Santos: Complete Dancer & Choreographer Profile

Alyssa Santos is a multi-talented professional whose career spans dance, choreography, and even specialized artistry. Her detailed biography provides a clear picture of her origins and rapid rise in the entertainment world.

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• Full Name: Alyssa K. Santos
• Nationality: American
• Age: 24 years old
• Profession: Professional Dancer, Choreographer, Certified Nail Artist
• Primary Training: Hart Academy of Dance (12 years)
• Higher Education: Cal State Fullerton Dance Team Member
• Notable Achievements: UDA National Title (Division 1 Jazz Category)
• Major Collaborations: J-Hope (BTS), Jennie Kim (BLACKPINK), Shakira
• Viral Role: Female lead in J-Hope's "Killin' It" Music Video
• Social Media: Instagram handle @alyssaksantos, with over 420,000 followers

The American Dancer Who Took the K-Pop and Global Stages

The core curiosity surrounding Alyssa Santos often stems from her surname, Santos, which is commonly associated with Filipino, Spanish, or Portuguese heritage. While the specific ethnicity of her family is not widely publicized, her professional identity is consistently that of a 24-year-old American dancer. Her ability to seamlessly cross cultural and genre boundaries is a testament to her world-class training and adaptability.

The J-Hope and Jennie Kim Phenomenon

Alyssa Santos first gained massive international recognition through her work with K-Pop superstars. Her role as the captivating female lead in J-Hope's "Killin' It" music video instantly made her a viral sensation, leading to countless fan searches and speculation about her identity. The chemistry and dynamic energy she displayed alongside the BTS member were undeniable, showcasing her strength in hip-hop and commercial dance styles.

Following this viral moment, her career accelerated, including a high-profile spot on tour with BLACKPINK's Jennie Kim. Working with such prominent figures in the K-Pop industry—J-Hope and Jennie Kim—demonstrated her versatility and established her as a go-to dancer for artists with a global reach. This exposure was crucial in building her significant social media following on platforms like Instagram.

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Stealing the Show at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards

The most recent and significant update to Alyssa Santos's career profile is her show-stopping performance at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards. She was one of the featured dancers who performed onstage with Latin music legend Shakira. Performing at an event as prestigious as the GRAMMYs, particularly alongside a dynamic performer like Shakira, is a career-defining moment that solidifies her position at the pinnacle of professional commercial dance.

This performance, which occurred in early 2025, highlights her current status as a top-tier dancer capable of handling the pressure and precision required for live, televised global events. Her involvement with both K-Pop idols and a global pop icon like Shakira underscores her topical authority across diverse music genres.

From Studio Training to National Titles: The Foundation of Her Success

Alyssa Santos’s current success is built on a rigorous foundation of extensive dance education and training. Unlike many viral stars, her talent is rooted in years of dedication to the craft, starting from a very young age.

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The Hart Academy Years

Her journey began at the age of three, and she spent 12 formative years training at the highly respected Hart Academy of Dance. This intensive training covered a wide spectrum of dance styles, including Jazz, Tap, and Ballet, which are the fundamental building blocks of a professional dancer’s repertoire. Her early dedication to mastering these core disciplines provided her with the technical proficiency needed for her later commercial career.

Cal State Fullerton and the UDA National Title

Further cementing her credentials, Alyssa was a second-year member of the Cal State Fullerton Dance Team. Her commitment to collegiate dance was not just for experience; she holds a prestigious UDA National Title in the Division 1 Jazz Category. The UDA National Championship is highly competitive and is a significant indicator of elite-level technical skill and performance quality. This achievement showcases her prowess in the highly technical and demanding genre of jazz dance.

Her training also includes Lyrical, Contemporary, and Acrobatics, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set that allows her to transition effortlessly between the artistic demands of a contemporary piece and the high-energy requirements of a music video.

The Unexpected Twist: Choreographer and Certified Nail Artist

While her dancing is what garners headlines, Alyssa Santos is a true multi-hyphenate, expanding her influence both behind the scenes and in an entirely different creative field. This diversity in her career is a key factor in her professional longevity and appeal.

A Talent for Choreography

Beyond being a performer, Alyssa is also a trained choreographer. This dual role is incredibly valuable in the entertainment industry, as it means she not only executes complex routines flawlessly but also understands the creative process of designing them. Her work as a choreographer allows her to shape the visual narrative of a performance, giving her a deeper connection to the art form than a dancer who only follows direction.

The Certified Nail Artist Side Hustle

Perhaps the most surprising fact about Alyssa Santos is her secondary career as a certified nail artist. She often shares her detailed nail design work alongside her dance videos on her popular Instagram account, @alyssaksantos. This unique combination of skills—a professional dancer who is also a certified nail artist—highlights her dedication to creative expression in all its forms and provides a fascinating glimpse into her life outside of the intense rehearsal and touring schedule.

Her ability to manage two distinct, high-quality creative careers—one physically demanding and one meticulously detailed—speaks volumes about her discipline and artistic drive. This multifaceted profile is part of what makes the American dancer Alyssa Santos such a compelling figure to her millions of followers worldwide, solidifying her status as a modern-day professional powerhouse.