At this point, everyone is consuming content about Taylor Swift’s concerts in Singapore, whether you want to or not.
If you haven’t heard of the name Kameron Saunders, which is almost impossible, here’s all you need to know about Taylor Swift’s backup dancer who is on his way to becoming a Singapore PR.
Not really, but his Singlish can honestly rival some Singaporeans.
Kameron Saunders’ Perfect Singlish
Taylor Swift has been touring around the world for almost a year since she kicked off The Eras Tour in March 2023, and she has performed in Singapore for five nights, with tonight (9 March) being her last show here.
In her song “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”, Taylor Swift says “ugh this is exhausting you know, like we are never getting back together” before she hands the mic to backup dancer Kameron Saunders to deliver a short line.
In the original version of the song, the line is “like ever”, which Saunders said during shows in the United States.
@thetaylorswiftofitall Kam’s LIKE, EVER – We Are Never Getting Back Together #erastour #tstheerastour #swiftie4ever #taylorswifterastour #taylorswiftsongs #taylorswifttok @Kam N. Saunders @Taylor Nation Follow for more compilations 💞 Lover Dip comp: @thetswiftofitall ♬ original sound – thetswiftofitall
However, it gets interesting when Swift and her team perform in a country with a different language or prominent way of speaking as Saunders gets to incorporate the host country’s language in his line.
In Japan, Saunders said “zettai nai”, which translates to “impossible”.
In Australia, he said “like naur”, and, in case you don’t know, “naur” is basically how Australians pronounce “no”.
@fullandfilled THIS ICONIC MOMENT 😅🫶🏼 #wearenevergettingbacktogether #theerastour #theerastourmelbourne #erastouraustralia #kameronsaunders ♬ original sound – Full & Filled (Alisha M)
And, of course, when in Singapore, do as the Singaporeans do.
On every night of the show, Saunders has delivered different lines in Singlish (a variety of English spoken in Singapore, incorporating some Chinese and Malay):
- Night 1: “No lah”
- Night 2: “Siao ah”
- Night 3: “Walao eh”
- Night 4: “Alamak”
- Night 5: “Wah piang eh”
@sync.ent23 #kameronsaunders “no lah” so on point!!! #weareneverevergettingbacktogether #theerastour #taylorswiftsingapore #theerastourtaylorswiftsg ♬ original sound – SYNC.ent
@janeenapple4 Way to go @Kam N. Saunders ! #taylorswift #theerastour #theerastourtaylorswift #singaporenight4 #weareneverevergettingbacktogether #redera ♬ original sound – Janeen
With the sixth and last Singapore show happening tonight, many are speculating on what Saunders will say.
I think he might say jialat or tak boleh.
Reader: I think he’ll say kanin-
About Kameron Saunders
This 31-year-old male from St Louis, Missouri, is the only plus-size dancer in Taylor Swift’s backup dancer troupe.
Swift’s tour isn’t the first time Saunders has shared the stage with a mega star – he also performed with Lizzo at the BET awards in 2022.
Fame seems to run in the family as his younger brother, Khalen Saunders, spent four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2019 to 2022. He was a member of the team, which beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-35, in Super Bowl LVII last year.
Interestingly enough, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce is also on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Maybe Swift should be an honorary member of the Chiefs.
Khalen Saunders has since left the Chiefs, having signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2023.
Kameron Saunders developed a love of dance at an early age, according to VoyageKC, an art magazine.
He was enrolled in a performing arts middle school in sixth grade (about 12 or 13 years old) and was doing praise dance at his church at the same time. He later attended both Webster University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in 2014.
He is known for his role as a principal dancer in Spirited (a musical version of Charles Dickens’s story of a miserly misanthrope), which starred Ryan Gosling among others, and The Colour Purple (a musical film about a woman facing hardships in her life).
He has also choreographed for companies like Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Saint Louis Ballet, and Missouri Contemporary Ballet.
As a larger person, Saunders has said that the audience often pointed out his size difference.
He said that such comments took a toll on his self-image and he even started a tough workout routine and diet to get into shape.
However, after a while, he accepted himself as he was.
And he didn’t just accept it, he owned it.
Saunders has shown that plus-size dancers can be great dancers with his many roles in musical films and performances alongside big stars. Through the past year with Taylor Swift, Saunders has shown his capabilities and is living his best, happiest life as a backup dancer for the American pop-star.
Fans all over the world have shown their love for Saunders – how could you not love him after he flawlessly executed so many Singlish lines?
Taylor Swift is set to perform for another nine months, until 8 December 2024.
Her tour is almost two years long.
With many more concerts coming up, we’re excited to see more of Saunders’ localised lines because no one could really get enough of his happy smile when he delivers his line and the crowd goes wild.
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
Read Also:
- Salon Allegedly Charged $880 Treatment Package to Elderly Who Has Hearing Difficulties
- Man Replaces M’sia-Registered Car With a S’pore Plate & Drives It Without a Driving Licence
- Confirmed: Allianz Withdraws Its Offer to Buy Income Insurance
- 10th Floor Resident Leaves Baby Stroller On Air Conditioner Compressor
- $400 Worth of Durians Delivered to Customer; Customer Allegedly Takes Durians Without Making Payment
- Woman Borrows Touch ‘N Go Card From S’pore Driver to Cross JB Checkpoint & Didn’t Return Card
Advertisements
