In 2020, Kelianne Stankus joined Hype House, a popular creator house in Los Angeles, and stunned by racking up millions of followers in the months afterward as she began taking TikTok more seriously. Her foray into the world of social media is just the latest in a string of industry successes; Kelianne's expertise spans gymnastics, dance, and most recently, music.
Kelianne's Career in Performing
Kelianne competed as a member of the US National Acrobatic Gymnastics team and even won gold in 2005 at the Freedom Cup. She started doing gymnastics at age 7, and competed for nearly 10 years on the national circuit.
She created a dance troupe called The Acrobats that toured nationally, opened for Justin Bieber, and performed on The Ellen Show.
Kelianne grew up in a family of performers near bustling Los Angeles, California, and spent a lot of her time around her dad and brother, who were instrumentalists in multiple bands. The exposure to music early on in life drew her to the world of performance.
"I always had a love for music growing up," she said. "My main focus was gymnastics but I stopped competing when I was 19. That’s when I decided to move to Los Angeles and pursue the entertainment industry."
During her time in the Hype House, Kelianne's TikTok platform expanded rapidly and offered her a platform to venture into the music industry.
Her first single, "Boys," was released in February 2022, and she quickly followed up with her new single BET in May.
"I think 'Bet' is a little bit older sounding compared to 'Boys'," she said. "They both definitely have that pop feel though."
The 'Boys' music video debuted quickly after the single, and capitalizes off of Kelianne's multifaceted performance technique by featuring her choreography. The music video has since garnered over 50,000 views, and Kelianne's Youtube channel has over 200K subscribers.
As somebody who's dipped their toes into multiple industries, Kelianne expressed that the music industry requires more patience than gymnastics or content creation. Her main priority at the moment is focusing on music and her fans.
"I think just engaging with [the fans] is super important," she says about developing a platform. "Responding to DM’s, going live, and just commenting back is a great way to connect with your audience."
For her inspirations, Kelianne cites creators and musicians like Rihanna, Selena Gomez, and Jennifer Lopez. "They have built this huge brand and branched out to try so many different things," she said. "I look up to them so much!"
10 Quick Questions with Kelianne
1. What’s your favorite place to shop?
I love Abercrombie and Fitch right now!
2. A hidden talent?
I’m a really good whistler
3. Favorite song at the moment?
“Love of my Life” by Harry Styles
4. Something you couldn’t live without?
My husband
5. Favorite party trick?
Handstands or backflips
6. Best childhood memory?
Going to my first concert with my best friend
7. Somebody you’d love to collaborate with?
Right now I’m obsessed with Harry Styles and would love work with him
8. What’s at the top of your bucket list at the moment?
I want to see the Eiffel Tower!
9. Favorite thing to do when you’re bored?
Scroll on TikTok
10. Go-to restaurant or cafe?
In-N-Out Burger
Keep Up with Kelianne
You can find Kelianne on Instagram and TikTok @iamkelianne. Her new single 'BET' is also available on all streaming platforms!
