A backup dancer is a performer who dances with or behind the lead performers in a live musical act or in a music video. Their movements (especially where there are many moving together) provide a visual symmetry and rhythm to accompany the music.

Some notable performers began their music careers as backup dancers for other artists, including:

• Tupac Shakur (for the Digital Underground)
• Jennifer Lopez (for the New Kids on the Block and Janet Jackson's 1993 video "That's the Way Love Goes")
• Cris Judd (for ex-wife Jennifer Lopez' 2001 video "Love Don't Cost a Thing")
• Rain (for Park Jin-Young and Park Ji-Yoon)
• Michael K. Williams
• Kevin Federline (for Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Pink, Christina Milian, and LFO)