08: SURPRISE SURPRISE, it’s Dannie D

In this episode of the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast, host Meredyth Willits sits down with the one and only Dannie D—dancer, licensed social worker, unapologetic truth-teller, and viral voice behind the iconic “leg in the air” TikToks. With his signature smirk, seven-second jabs, and political punchlines, Dannie brings fearless commentary wrapped in joy, movement, and fierce clarity.

 

But there’s more to this creator than a leg extension and a camera-ready grin. From decades in the dance world to his frontline work as a social worker, Dannie uses his platform to educate, entertain, and advocate—especially for the Black, LGBTQ+, and underserved communities he proudly represents.

 

Together, they dive into:

✅ How a dancer became a digital disruptor through humor and political heat

✅ Why social media gave him the voice he'd been holding in for years

✅ Being the only Black, queer man in predominantly white, female spaces—and turning that into power

✅ The rise of disinformation, fake news, and why facts still matter

✅ Why Project 2025 should scare the hell out of you (and what we can do about it)

 

They also talk about the cost of honesty online, being targeted for telling the truth, and why some creators have stopped being silent—even when it means losing followers, gigs, or a sense of safety. If you’ve ever felt like staying quiet was safer, this episode might just change your mind.

 

🎧 Tune in to hear how Dannie is:

✨ Turning movement into messaging

✨ Making political commentary accessible (and iconic)

✨ Building a platform rooted in joy, rage, and radical truth

✨ Proving that advocacy, art, and authenticity all belong in one body

 

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00:00 Introduction to the TikTok FAMOUS™️ Podcast

00:45 Meet Dannie D: dancer, social worker, and viral creator

02:30 The origin of “surprise, surprise” and the iconic leg move

04:00 From Dance Magazine to TikTok stardom

06:00 Discovering politics—and why Trump’s first campaign was the catalyst

08:30 On being a Black gay man in social work—and answering the hard questions

11:00 Using teachable moments to bridge cultural gaps in white spaces

13:00 TikTok as a platform for truth—and the cost of clout

15:00 Going viral vs. being heard: the double-edged sword

17:00 Why lies hit harder—and why he won't stop correcting them

19:30 Living with integrity in online spaces (and turning off Twitter for good)

22:00 Getting political means getting personal: the backlash, the risks, and the reward

25:00 Compartmentalization in the workplace vs. full expression online

27:30 Cultural humility vs. cultural competence—and why it matters now more than ever

30:00 Undoing what we were taught: racism, bias, and the work of unlearning

33:00 Challenging ego, embracing discomfort, and staying curious

36:00 The immigrant scapegoat myth—and why it’s a distraction

38:00 Project 2025, Roe v. Wade, and constitutional complacency

41:00 Emotional manipulation, cult tactics, and political gaslighting

44:00 The fear of facts—and the fallout of misinformation

47:00 What we risk when we stay silent—and the power of speaking anyway

50:00 Why creators must choose impact over popularity

52:00 Final thoughts on activism, hope, and what’s still possible

55:00 Surprise, surprise… we’ve got work to do

 

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🔗 Connect with Dannie D

TikTok: @dannied01

Instagram: @dannied01

YouTube: Daniel Marshall

 

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🎙 Stay in the Loop with Meredyth Willits

Facebook: Meredyth Willits

Instagram: @meredyth_willits

TikTok: @meredyth_with_a_why

YouTube: Meredyth Willits YouTube

 

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👉 Love a good truth bomb with a side of sass?

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