Today we’d like to introduce you to Rikki McKinney.
Hi Rikki, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The story of Rikki “The Fool” McKinney is one of resilience and a relentless drive to transform personal experience into high-level performance art. Your journey is marked by several pivotal eras that shaped you into the internationally known artist you are today:
The Early Spark (St. Petersburg)
The foundation of your career was forged at the age of 13 in Florida. On the very same day as your first performance with Chuck Davis’s African American Dance Ensemble, you experienced the loss of your father. That moment became a defining vow: you decided to use dance and entertainment as your outlet, promising to become one of the most unique male dancers in the country.
The Reinvention in Atlanta
In 2009, you moved to Atlanta to reinvent yourself and connect with your roots. You began establishing your presence at iconic studios like Gotta Dance Atlanta and Dance 411, where your vibrant energy earned you the nickname “Mr. Personality.” Your work here wasn’t just about performing; it was about teaching and mentoring the next generation of dancers.
Global Stages & Icons
Your career has since moved at “the speed of light,” spanning across:
Major Music Icons: You’ve contributed your talents to artists like Lady Gaga, Beyoncé (Destiny’s Child), Janelle Monáe, Big Boi, and Chaka Khan.
Political & Cultural Moments: You have performed for former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Television & Film: Your choreography and movement direction have been featured on networks like BET, HBO,CNN, CARTOON NETWORK, CW (The Vampire Diaries), Fox (Star), Them:The Scare Season 2 on Amazon Prime and Nickelodeon.
The Artistic Visionary: “The Fool”
Today, you are recognized for blending diverse worlds—ballet, circus arts, and hip-hop. Through Twisted Circus and Atlanta Cirque, you’ve created an immersive style that goes beyond traditional dance. Whether you are appearing in high-fashion spreads like L’Uomo Vogue or training top contestants for So You Think You Can Dance, your story is consistently about authenticity and “leading with love.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overcoming Early Loss At the age of 13, you faced a profound personal challenge: the loss of your father. This tragedy occurred on the very same day as your first performance with Chuck Davis’s African American Dance Ensemble. Rather than letting the weight of that loss derail your path, you chose to transform it into a professional and personal mission. You made a vow that day to use the arts and entertainment as a constructive outlet, dedicating yourself to becoming one of the most unique male dancers in the country.
Artistic Evolution and Reinvention
Your move to Atlanta in 2009 also represented a stage of overcoming the challenge of identity and reinvention. Entering a new city’s competitive dance scene required establishing a brand from the ground up. You successfully navigated this by:
Developing your unique persona as “Mr. Personality.”
Pushing through the physical and creative demands of multiple disciplines, including circus arts, which requires a high level of physical resilience and versatility compared to traditional dance.
Navigating the Global Stage
In your professional journey, you have overcome the standard obstacles of the high-stakes entertainment industry—maintaining longevity and relevance while working with top-tier icons like Lady Gaga and Janelle Monáe. You have transitioned from being a featured performer to a mentor and educator, showing a commitment to helping young dancers navigate their own struggles.
Hospitalization: In late August 2025, Rikki was admitted to emergency care at Emory University Hospital.
Medical Procedures: Within a span of seven days, he underwent four major surgeries and spent time in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Resilience: Public updates describe Rikki facing this heartbreaking journey with “incredible strength and resilience,” consistent with the same spirit he has shown throughout his career.
Community Support: A “Roadmap to Recovery” initiative was established to help ease the financial burden of his indefinite hospital stay and ongoing medical treatments, as he is currently unable to work.
His supporters and the dance community have been coming together to provide assistance so that he and his family can focus entirely on his healing and recovery.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Rikki “The Fool” McKinney is a multidisciplinary force in the arts, blending high-fashion movement, technical dance, and circus arts. Known internationally for his vibrant energy and nickname “Mr. Personality,” Rikki’s work is defined by its emotional depth and versatility. What He Does & Specializes In
Rikki is a professional dancer, choreographer, creative director, and movement coach. His expertise covers a massive spectrum:
Commercial Dance & Movement: He has worked with a “who’s who” of music icons, including Lady Gaga, Janelle Monáe, Beyoncé (Destiny’s Child), Black Eyed Peas, and Chaka Khan.
Circus Arts & Fusion: A key member of Twisted Circus and Atlanta Cirque, he is famous for his character work—most notably as Bubala the Elephant, where he seamlessly blends the grace of ballet with traditional circus storytelling.
Television & Film: He has brought his choreography and acting to networks like BET, CW (The Vampire Diaries), and Fox (Star), as well as Broadway productions like The Wiz.
Notable Achievements & Recognition
Award-Winning Artist: Rikki was named Male ATL Concert Dancer of the Year (2017) and received the Best Male Dancer in Atlanta award in 2012.
Emmy Connection: He served as Assistant Choreographer for the GA Lottery Salutes America broadcast, which won an Emmy for Best Regional Live Coverage.
High Fashion: He was featured in a 10-page spread for L’Uomo Vogue and stars in renowned photographer Richard Calmes’ dance book collection.
What Sets Him Apart
What truly distinguishes Rikki is his “Lead with Love” philosophy and his ability to bridge the gap between different art forms. He isn’t just a dancer; he is a storyteller who can transition from a gritty music video to a refined ballet performance or a whimsical circus act without losing his signature “personality.”
He is also a “mentor’s mentor.” Having trained almost every top booking agency and concert dancer in Atlanta, his influence is woven into the fabric of the city’s dance culture. He has personally coached top-tier talent for So You Think You Can Dance, including Top 10 finalists Jasmine Harper and Mitchell Kelly.
Proudest Moments
Beyond the global tours and awards, Rikki’s pride lies in mentorship and legacy. He is deeply committed to the Atlanta arts community and has been working on a nonprofit performing arts school specifically for adults, aiming to prove that dance can be a lifelong lifestyle and a source of motivation for anyone.
What does success mean to you?
Rikki’s work in the sports and circus worlds is where his ability to blend athleticism with theatrical “magic” truly shines. Here is a closer look at those specific areas of his career: Choreography for NBA & NFL Teams
Rikki has a massive footprint in professional sports entertainment. He hasn’t just performed at games; he has been responsible for staging and choreographing halftime shows for some of the most prominent franchises in the world. His client list includes:
NFL: Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys.
NBA: Miami Heat.
Collegiate: The Alamo Bowl.
His work in this arena is known for its high energy and precision, often involving large-scale coordination that mirrors the intensity of the games themselves.
The Magic of Atlanta Cirque & Twisted Circus
Rikki’s involvement with Atlanta Cirque and Twisted Circus represents his evolution from a traditional dancer to a “character artist.” He is celebrated for:
The Character “Bubala”: Perhaps his most iconic role is Bubala the Elephant. In this role, Rikki uses his ballet training to give a massive, whimsical character an unexpected grace and lightness.
Artistic Fusion: He loves these companies because they combine the “traditional qualities of the circus arts” with the technicality of ballet.
The “Circus Family”: Rikki has spoken about how these organizations value their artists, helping them build their acts by “adding magic to the beauty the artist already brings.”
Legacy & The Nonprofit Dream
One of the projects Rikki is most passionate about is the creation of a nonprofit performing arts school for adults in Atlanta.
The Goal: To provide a space where adults can learn that dance is not just a hobby, but a lifestyle and a powerful form of motivation.
Mentorship: Even when he is not teaching formal classes, he continues to mentor his former students. He often says that they inspire him as much as he inspires them.
Quick Stats of Note
Emmy Award: He served as Assistant Choreographer and dancer for the GA Lottery Salutes America 4th of July broadcast, which won an Emmy for Best Regional Live Coverage.
Versatility: Beyond the stage, he showed his range as an actor (playing security guard Myles) in the horror film The Vault, starring James Franco.
Rikki phrase ” Consistency equals success FOOL’S, Be like Nike and JUST DO IT. KEEP FOOL’IN LIFE & ACT A FOOL
Pricing:
- Based on per Project
Contact Info:
- Website: www.twistedcircusatl.com
- Instagram: @RikkiTheFool
- Facebook: Rikki McKinney
- Twitter: iLive4Rikki
- Youtube: RikkiTheFool
- soundcloud: Rikki McKinney
- Other: www.twistedcircusatl.com
Image Credits
@colormecham @richardcalmes @keikoguestphotography @kotobolofo @avenoirarts @twistedcircusatl @rikkimckinneyassociatesllc
