Mariah Carey’s 10-year-old backup dancer has been hailed as a “star” and a reincarnation of Michael Jackson after a video of him dancing was shared online.
Nolayn Williams, 10, from New Jersey, is part of a group of backup dancers embarking on an 18-stop tour of the United States with the Queen of Christmas.
The Christmas Time tour was announced in August and celebrates the 30th anniversary of Mariah’s timeless Christmas hit, All I Want For Christmas Is You.
While the pop icon, 55, takes center stage hitting whistle notes in her most dazzling dresses, it’s the young Nolayn who has captured her fans’ attention.
In a viral clip, with over 1.1 million views on TikTok, Nolayn is seen dancing to Mariah’s hit song while dressed as a toy soldier.
After watching Nolayn’s energetic performance, one stunned viewer said: “Those kicks were as high as Mariah’s whistles. She’s a star!”
A second commented: ‘It was so nice of Mariah to sing at her dance performance!’
Speaking exclusively to Femail, Nolayn said: “Touring for the Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, is one of the best jobs I’ve had so far.”
Nolayn Williams, 10, from New Jersey, is part of a group of backup dancers embarking on an 18-stop tour of the United States with the Queen of Christmas.
Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, Nolayn said: “Touring for the Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, is one of the best jobs I’ve had so far.”
The 10-year-old continued: “It’s really hard work, but I love being on stage and performing – it’s my happy place.”
‘Being able to share my love of dance with so many people is the best experience I’ve ever had!’
While many online have hailed Nolayn as a “star”, and some have even gone so far as to say he is a reincarnation of Michael Jackson, his mother, Shay Williams, has revealed what life on tour is really like for the boy from 10 years. .
The proud mum, who described her son to MailOnline as “the sweetest, kindest, silliest, funniest 10-year-old you’ll ever meet”, revealed that the “first thing” Nolayn does every morning is his schoolwork “because there will be Don’t be dancing dolls.”
While touring with Mariah Carey and staying on top of her education, Shay, owner of X-Quisite House of Dance in New Jersey, revealed that Nolayn is still holding auditions.
He usually shoots a series of sticky tapes in the morning to keep himself “reserved and busy.”
A typical afternoon on tour consists of Nolayn arriving at the new venue and completely blocking out the other dancers to get used to the unfamiliar setting.
Always making sure to “pump up,” Nolayn puts on his first costume (a white and gold toy soldier suit) and takes the stage for the 90-minute performance.
Fans have hailed 10-year-old Nolayn as a “star” and a reincarnation of Michael Jackson.
Nolayn has worked as a professional dancer for the New York Knicks as the Knicks City Kid since he was seven years old.
Nolayn’s life on tour has been documented by his mother on TikTok
Nolayn captured the attention of Mariah fans with her dance moves and facial expressions.
Fans took to the comments on TikTok to hail Nolayn as a “star.” One said: “It was nice of Mariah to perform at her dance performance.”
Showing a video of Nolayn twerking on stage, Shay said: “Everyone knows I’ll always be his biggest fan.”
After the 90-minute Christmas show, the young man enjoys his well-deserved rest, eating Pringles and playing video games with the other young dancers.
He told MailOnline: “I love all the people, friends and bonds I have created on tour.”
After taking some time to relax, Nolayn and her mother settle into the tour bus as they travel to the next location overnight.
Any adult would be exhausted just looking at Nolayn’s busy schedule.
But the child artist is used to it, having worked as a professional dancer for the New York Knicks since he was seven years old.
Nolayn’s catapult to fame came when Mariah came down with the flu and was forced to cancel her shows in Pittsburgh, Newark and New Jersey on December 11, 13 and 15 respectively.
Fortunately, he recovered in time to sing at the final stop of his Christmas Time tour on December 17 at the Barclays Center in New York City.
The 10-year-old told MailOnline: ‘Being able to share my love of dancing with so many people is the best experience I’ve ever had!’
Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time tour was announced in August and celebrates the 30th anniversary of her timeless Christmas hit, All I Want For Christmas Is You.
In early December, sources close to the tour claimed that Mariah was living up to her diva reputation by making outlandish demands, such as asking crew members not to talk to her or take photos with her during the tour.
In early December, sources close to the tour claimed that Mariah was living up to her diva reputation by making extravagant demands.
In what was to be expected from the self-confessed diva, members of the production were “asked not to talk to Mariah or take photos with her.”
Meanwhile, the star reportedly decreed that she would not embark on the tour with any “unattractive dancers.”
“Mariah is being very extra this year,” a source told DailyMail.com. ‘They’re paying her a huge amount of money. Rehearsals started at the end of September because she wants it to be the biggest tour yet.’
Mariah’s setlist is completed with 26 songs and the concert lasts about 90 minutes.
Audiences will be treated to renditions of holiday classics as well as the superstar’s biggest and most recognizable songs, including the mid-’90s song All I Want For Christmas Is You.
The song’s continued success has led Mariah, who receives an estimated 20 percent cut in her royalties, to fully embrace all things Christmas.
Every year, fans look forward to November 1, when she shares the important declaration: “It’s timeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy-backto аnnnnnnnnnnnnrnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnluss
From that moment on, the Christmas season begins in full swing and its famous song rises again on the charts.
The star has earned a staggering $70 million from the hit Christmas song that has reached number one in more than 30 countries, earning around $3 million a year, according to the New York Post.