The Tonight Show host, Jimmy Fallon, dedicated a full segment to nine TikTok dance creators on Mondays episode after facing backlash for a previous bit featuring TikTok star Addison Rae.
On March 26, Fallon was joined by Addison Rae for a segment where she taught him eight viral TikTok dances. Soon after the episode aired, controversy stirred on social media due to the fact that the show did not give credit to the mostly Black creators of the dances that Rae and Fallon were performing together.
After a week long hiatus, The Tonight Show returned with Fallon immediately addressing the situation and how he plans to make things right.
“On our last show before break, we did a bit with Addison Rae where she taught me eight viral TikTok dances,” Fallon said. “Now, we recognize that the creators of those dances deserve to have their own spotlight. So right now, some of the creators will join me to talk about how their dance went viral and then perform the dance themselves.”
Fallon interviewed creators Mya Nicole Johnson and Chris Cotter, who created “Up,” Dorien Scott who’s “Corvette Corvette” dance struck fame, Fur-Quan Powell and Camyra Franklin of “Laffy Taffy,” group creators Adam Snyder, Nate Nale, Greg Dahl, from “Blinding Lights,” and Keara Wilson who choreographed the moves to “Savage.”
The correction came with mixed reactions from viewers. Many people questioned if Fallon would’ve given the original creators the spotlight if he hadn’t received an incredible amount of backlash.
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https://twitter.com/Tator2timess/status/1379342507021074435?s=20
Some people are angry that the original creators were featured on the show via Zoom, not in person like Addison Rae.
Jimmy Fallon invited them TikTok babies to a Zoom call? pic.twitter.com/cbgfn1yUqi
— Baddie Moss Clark (@divaTy) April 6, 2021
Others saw it as a good way of Fallon fixing his mistake.
“I’m so glad these creators are getting the attention they deserve. I think this was a great way to fix your mistakes and to give these amazing creators a platform,” a commenter on YouTube wrote.
Rae shared the segment onto her Instagram story later that night.
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“So happy these creators were able to be highlighted. I hope we can all dance soon.”
“Show them love,” she captioned.
