From Viral Dancer to Influencer: Meet Storm DeBarge

Written by Margaret White, orginally published in February 2022 print

“I’m not gonna lie; I went viral a couple times.”

Storm DeBarge, aka Queen of the Dougie, has gone viral a few times with her dance moves. It’s where she gained the name Queen of the Dougie after participating in the dance craze. She also went viral during the jerking era.

Most recently, Storm has gone viral for her Family Function series. It’s a dance series with all good vibes, nostalgia, and dancing. You really feel like you are at a family function and having a good time when watching the videos. Most importantly, it has Storm Debarge in a directorial role and not as just a dancer. The Family Function series showcases Storm’s own creativity and ability to put together visuals. Storm will also like to give a shout out to qewly for always shooting her videos and being her friend since she was thirteen.

“I like to look at myself as a movement artist.”

From the moment she was able to move her body as a baby, Storm was dancing. She grew up dancing and loving music. “My mom didn’t have the money to pay for dance classes or anything…So I danced in the living room, or my room, or on the street, or at any family gatherings,” said Storm.

Storm is an amazing sweet and grateful for every opportunity that has come her way. Her face lights up as she talks about dancing with Migos and Meg the Stallion. In fact, she shared with me that performing at the BET Awards with Meg the Stallion was the first time she danced in heels. It was two days before the performance and the dancer tried on their wardrobe. When they handed Storm heels, she said “I was like, ‘oh my god’ but I didn’t say anything. I had to just put them on and do rehearsal.” You would have never known that it was Storm’s first time dancing in heels because she definitely killed that performance.

“I didn’t know that it was going to transform into this,” Storm answered when I asked how she felt about being an influencer or public figure. While Storm went viral for her dancing, it was really her personality that people began to love. “Being a public figure is cool. I’m learning how to adjust with it mentally,” she shared.

“I love kids. I’m all for the youth.” When she’s not influencing on social media, Storm is influencing the youth. “I’m helping them become young ladies, you know.” Storm is the happiest when she talks about working with BoomSquad and Boomer the Clown. Storm is also part of The Council which is a group of women who are changing up the dance industry. “I’m glad that I found them and have them a part of my life and dance journey.”