Ricky Pond Interview
Q. Let’s begin with your journey. How did a dad dancing in his living room turn into a global internet favorite?
Honestly, it started during Covid as an away for just my kids and I to have some fun. I’ve always loved music and dancing, and one day I the kids asked me to dance with them on TikTok. I think they just wanted to embarrass me as kids were putting there parents on social media. I agreed reluctantly.
I was hooked and never looked back. I never imagined people all over the world would connect with it, but I think what people saw was a regular dad just being himself and having a good time with his kids. That relatability is what really carried it.
Q. What was the very first video that made you think, “Okay, this might actually go viral”?
It was one of my earlier TikToks. I was just dancing in the living room like always, and I woke up the next morning to thousands of notifications. My kids were the first to say, “Dad, you’re going viral!” Never in a million years did I think anyone would watch our content let alone like it.
Q. Your love for Indian music has won hearts across cultures. What inspired that connection?
I’ve always had an appreciation for different cultures, and when I stumbled on Indian music, I was hooked by the rhythm, the energy, the joy in it. The audience welcomed me with so much love that it became a really natural connection. I just kept dancing to the songs that made me smile.
Q. As a content creator, how do you balance family life with an ever-growing online presence?
Family always comes first. My kids and my wife have been part of this journey from the beginning, and I try to make sure creating content never takes away from our time together. It helps that they sometimes join in on the fun, so it’s not just “Dad’s thing,” it’s a family thing.
Q. You’re known for bringing joy through dance. Have there been moments when creating content helped you through tough times?
Absolutely. Dancing has always been a stress reliever for me. During rough patches, turning on the music and just letting go has been therapeutic. Sharing that joy with others, especially knowing it can brighten someone’s day, often lifts me up in return.
Q. What does success look like for you—hitting 100K on YouTube, or something deeper?
Don’t get me wrong, hitting milestones like 100K subscribers would amazing, but success for me is deeper. It’s the messages I get from people saying, “Your videos made me smile today” or “You helped me through a hard time.” That’s the kind of impact that matters most.
Q. What’s your advice to anyone who feels 'too old' or 'too ordinary' to start creating online?
I’d say that you’re never too old, and nobody is too ordinary. If a middle-aged dad in Washington can make content dancing in his living room, then truly, anyone can. The key is just to start, be yourself, and have fun.
Q. Last one, if your life had a signature dance move, what would it look like and what would you name it?
Oh, that’s easy. I’d say the spin I do in just about 90% of my dances.
Bio:
Ricky Pond is a U.S.-based graphic designer who rose to global fame as the viral “Dancing Dad” by blending Bollywood beats with infectious energy. Born in Utah and now living in Washington, he initially posted family-dance videos for fun but quickly gained millions of followers thanks to his joyful, cross-culture performances. With his wife Roxane and their children, Ricky continues to spread positivity and connection through dance, proving that even trending beats can carry deeper cultural bridges.
Interviewed by - Divya Darshni
){kind=link}
0 Comments