TikTok Creator Abiud Sando Reveals Origins of Viral Moves and Talks National Tour
If you follow the dance scene on TikTok, then we can pretty much guarantee you've witnessed Abiud Sando's viral dance moves, including his original, the Sando Twist.
The dance, and its sound, have been featured in nearly a million videos at this point, and with 1.8 million followers on the platform, Abiud's been drawing some serious attention from fans around the world. From today, Jan. 19, to June 26, he's also on a national tour—and we got the chance to ask him all about it, the dance move and what it means to him to be TikTok-famous.
Sweety High: Can you walk us through your journey of first starting off as a content creator to where you are today?
Abiud Sando: To be honest, I started creating social content out of boredom and just to have fun, to entertain my close friends and family. However, that all changes when you go "viral" on the internet, as they say. The next day, I feel like I'm entertaining the general public, which I don't mind, but now I'm producing more quality content, giving followers what they want with intention and making it my goal to continue growing in social media as my job.
(Photo credit: Jose Resendez)
SH: What do you think were the big break moments for your career?
AS: My big break moment was on Oct. 1, 2020, when I uploaded my "Sando Twist" dance video to a remix of Coldplay's "Viva La Swing" on TikTok. It took off, racked millions of views, and got everyone dancing. The Sound now has over 900k videos created to the beat and my dance. I've been interviewed by Fox, iHeartRadio, Univision, Contrast Magazine, Telemundo and posted by Complex and Us Weekly.
@abiud_sando 😍NEW HOMES COMING 🔜. #moredeliveries #for #community #fyp #fedexdriver #ground #AltRocktober ♬ Viva La Swing aka #SandoTwist by @Abiud_Sando – Mingaling 2.0
SH: Did you ever think you'd find the success you have today doing viral dances and skits?
AS: I really didn't think so. I was a dancer before I was on social media, and it wasn't my intention to combine the two. But I'm glad I did!
SH: What do you think it is about your approach that's gotten you to more than 1.8 million followers on TikTok?
AS: I try to stay away from doing daily videos just to jump on a trend. I do them every so often, but my approach is more tailored to the type of music I enjoy and my breakdancing style of rhythm. I combine b-boy moves with my own freestyle dancing. As a proud Latino, I also like to highlight music from Selena Quintanilla and introduce my followers to dembow beats from the Caribbean.
SH: What do you think it is about TikTok that's allowed you to succeed in such a meaningful way?
AS: TikTok allows me to showcase my dancing skills and my personality to the masses, and lets me connect daily with my fans through engaging comments and interactive live streams. It's just easy and quite addicting.
SH: How did you go about creating your own viral TikTok dance move, the #SandoTwist?
AB: My first viral TikTok dance was not planned. I was just driving around Washington state with my little brother William at the time, and we pulled over to film TikToks because we were looking for new scenery. I found the Sound on the FYP, decided to dance in a circle with him holding a tripod as a selfie stick, and that's how the #SandoTwist came about.
SH: What did it mean to you to see it blow up and see millions of people dance along to it?
AS: It felt pretty cool. It was quite overwhelming, but I just went with it and started doing the dance in different settings, then traveled to L.A. to do it here, and started collaborating with other creators to do the dance with me—like the Enky Boys, Neffati Brothers, Madd Chadd and JuJu from the NFL. Big creators like James Charles, Addison Rae, Sienna Mae and Derek Hough did the dance, too. The dance has had a life of its own for over a year.
SH: Tell us about the content tour you're doing this year. Where will you be visiting, and what do you want to accomplish on this tour?
AS: This year I'm going on a national content tour to recreate some of my viral dances in front of iconic tourist sites—for example, the Statue of Liberty in New York, Disney World in Orlando and Graceland in Memphis. It's a total of 17 stops, and I'm most excited to be visiting Puerto Rico and Hawaii. My main goal is to meet and connect with my supporters at the meet-ups!
SH: What do you think is the biggest misconception about what you do as a content creator?
AS: The biggest misconception is that it's easy and fast. However, it's quite challenging to plan and strategize content, and it does take up a lot of time. I still have to juggle working for FedEx as a delivery driver. Everyone thinks I don't work for them, but I really do!
(Photo credit: Jose Resendez)
SH: What piece of advice do you have for fans who'd love to do what you do someday?
AS: My advice to them is to follow their dreams, be passionate about their content, be consistent with their hustle and stay positive above it all.
SH: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
AS: I just want to thank everyone that has supported my videos! I'm from a small town, Tri-Cities in Washington, and I hope I'm making everyone proud, especially my family and mom. She was a dance instructor and she inspired me to start dancing. She's no longer with us but I know she's dancing along. Thank you #SandoFam, I hope to see y'all on the #SandoTour this year!
Slightly TikTok-obsessed? Click HERE to learn everything you wanted to know about TikTok sensation and entrepreneur Avery Cyrus.