Merrick Hanna

About

Merrick William Hanna (born March 22, 2005) is an American dancer, actor, and social media personality. Known for his popping and storytelling, he reached the semifinals of season 12 of America’s Got Talent in 2017.

Merrick William Hanna was born on March 22, 2005, in Encinitas, California. His parents are Shawn and Aletha Hanna; Shawn’s mother, Judith Lynne Hanna, is a dance author and academic who was a dance anthropology professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. Hanna has a younger brother, Sagan. He did not talk until he was three and found it hard to make eye contact, but he was able to open up using toy robots. He also acted in professional Shakespeare plays as a child. He gave up soccer for dancing in 2014, finding it more fun and personal. Hanna originally took classes at the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA under Cameron Greene and was also assisted by Poppin John of the SoulBiotics Krew.

In 2017, Hanna reached the semifinals of season 12 of America’s Got Talent. During his audition, which was inspired by the fellow San Diego-based group Jabbawockeez, judge Simon Cowell called his act “one of the best performances [he’s] ever seen on the…