From viral fame to culinary dreams, the evolution of Michael Galyean is proving he is a man of many talents.
He was once just a guy in a blue polo, standing on the sidelines of Neyland Stadium. But with one choreographed routine, Michael became a household name known worldwide as the “Dancing Blue Shirt Guy.” His viral moves brought joy to millions, but what’s more impressive is what he’s done since.
Like any good internet story, it began at the University of Tennessee during a football game against Kentucky.
“Kelley Tafazzoli, UTK Spirit Coach, reached out to me about a week before the game asking if I’d be interested in creating this little moment on the sidelines,” Galyean recalled. “We’ve all seen police officers, mascots, or umpires dancing, but they wanted to level it up with real choreography, to match the dance team’s energy.”
After a quick hour-and-a-half rehearsal, he was ready. Michael was asked to pose as a fake security guard during the entire third quarter of the game until it was time for him to bust out some serious choreography with the rest of the UT Dance team.
“I took it to the field for the Kentucky game and the rest is history,” he said. “It was full circle for me, because I actually came to UT in hopes of being a cheerleader. That was the number one reason I chose Tennessee. But I chickened out and never auditioned. So this was me closing that chapter. I finally got to be on the field with the dance team and live out that dream.”
Within seconds of that video, Michael and his UT sideline moves were on every TikTok and Instagram feed around the world.
“I actually have a map where I put a little dancing blue shirt on all the countries that reached out to me,” he said, laughing. “It’s easier to name the countries that haven’t. Honestly, probably 75–80 percent of the world I’ve received at least one message from.”
“People would write, ‘I woke up to your video, and it brought me joy. It got me out of a dark space,’” Galyean remembered.
The scale of his fame shocked him. “One of the Australian news outlets posted it, and it had over 300 million views. Crazy!”
Despite the viral moment, the pressure was very real.
“At the time I was 41. I wasn’t performing every day. And learning choreography in my apartment kitchen without knocking over the toaster? That was a challenge,” he joked.
The moment was unforgettable, and it left him with one lesson: always say yes.
“It taught me to be prepared for anything, to say yes to everything,” he said. “Ten years ago, I would’ve said no. Now, I just go for it.”
But viral fame always flees and Michael knew he didn’t want to be known for just one thing.
“I use the analogy of Lady Gaga,” he explained. “At first, we knew her as the girl in the meat dress. Then she showed us she could do movies and makeup. For me, I had to show people I’m not just popping up at cheerleading events. So I leaned into another love thing I love, food.”
Cooking, for Michael, was more than a hobby.
“I really got into it in the early 2000s when Food Network was exploding,” he said. “For me, food is like dance. You choreograph, rehearse, and then present it. It’s performance. But it also brings people together, and that’s what I love most.”
Now, Michael works as a private chef in Knoxville, creating themed dinners, small bites, and event spreads for clients. And the response has been overwhelming.
“In retail, they always said getting the customer is easy, keeping them is the hard part,” he said. “So the fact that I already have return clients and word of mouth spreading, it feels really good.”
He’s cooked for everything from charity auctions to luxury real estate open houses, treating food as both an art and experience.
“I love themes,” he said. “But most people hire a private chef because they don’t want to think about anything. So I chat with them about the night, how many courses, any allergies or requests, but then I build from there. It’s their meal, their money, their experience. I just want to make it memorable.”
When asked to describe his cooking style, Michael didn’t hesitate: “Veggies first. I love fruits and vegetables, especially used in unexpected ways.”
Some recent hits include roasted tomato and peach soup, scallop ceviche with pineapple, and fried green tomato relish.
“I love when someone takes a bite and says, ‘I wouldn’t have thought of that.’ That’s the sweet spot,” he said.
But one thing’s for sure: don’t ask him to bake.
“Oh, there is no baking here whatsoever,” he laughed. “That’s science, and I’m not a scientist.”
For someone who can’t sit still, the possibilities are endless.
“The ultimate goal? A cooking show,” Galyean said. “I want to interview people. Maybe they’re on a first date, meeting in-laws for the first time, or just struggling to cook for themselves. I want to make cooking approachable.”
Michael Galyean may always be remembered as the man who danced his way into the internet’s heart. But his story doesn’t end there. From private dinners to cookbook ideas, he’s building a brand rooted in creativity, humor, and the belief that life is better when you say “yes.”
“Whether it’s dance or food, it’s all about bringing people joy,” he said. “And if I can keep doing that in new ways, I’m exactly where I need to be.”
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