Channing Tatum was inspired to learn how to vogue on the set of ‘Magic Mike XXL,’ ‘Legendary’ host says

Claudette Barius/Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection

In a headline-making scene in the “Magic Mike” sequel, Channing Tatum’s Mike stops by a drag bar on the way to a stripping competition and winds up onstage. The host of HBO Max’s “Legendary,” Dashaun Wesley was also in the scene voguing, telling Insider that Tatum was inspired to learn the intricate dance style after watching Wesley’s videos.

Earlier this month during a red carpet interview for season three, he added that it was “really fun hearing Channing Tatum be like, ‘OK, I went back home and I looked at your videos and I studied voguing.'”

Wesley was initially shocked by the news that Tatum wanted to learn the dance style that was originated by Black and Latinx LGBTQ dancers in the mid-1980s, and is now integral to ballroom culture most famously seen in FX’s “Pose.”

Dashaun Wesley is the official master of ceremonies on the HBO Max series “Legendary.”(Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)

Reflecting on their time on set for the 2015 movie, Wesley said Tatum even offered to show him what he had picked up from studying his clips. “He was cat walking, spinning, and dipping. Oh my gosh. It was amazing,” he continued.

Now Wesley is the master of ceremonies on the HBO Max original ballroom competition series “Legendary.” The series features several ballroom houses, or a collection of dancers, from around the world competing for the crown and $100,000. The contestants from each house are judged on different dance styles, including voguing, duck walking, catwalking, among other moves.

While Wesley serves as host and MC on “Legendary,” he’s joined by the competition’s judges: Leiomy Maldonado, Jameela Jamil, Law Roach along with a new addition for the new season, Keke Palmer (who’s replacing rapper Megan Thee Stallion).

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Wesley said Palmer has “been great” in her new role.

“She knows exactly how to hit her points. She knows the critique. She knows about the ball,” he added.

Keke Palmer at the IFP’s 29th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards in December 2019.Theo Wargo/Getty Images for IFP

Wesley is also excited about how this season of “Legendary” honors the history of ballroom culture with the appearance of the House of LaBeija. Founded in 1968, it is considered one of the houses central to the culture by standing the test of time as it still exists today.

“We have an opportunity to now tell the world…that when people did not know us and we were underground that we still were present,” he said. “You have one of the first houses that ever was created that are now on the show.”

“It’s just so freaking amazing,” he added.

Season three of “Legendary” is now streaming on HBO Max.  

Read the original article on Insider