Trend
Smooth Criminal Dance: The Lean, the Moves, an AI Version
By the TrendMe team · Updated
The Smooth Criminal dance copies Michael Jackson's 1988 "Smooth Criminal" routine, famous for its sharp kicks, finger points and the impossible 45-degree forward lean. On TikTok it shows up as solo and duo clips with a cool, unbothered face. On TrendMe you can make your own Smooth Criminal-style dance from one full-body photo.
"Smooth Criminal" is the Michael Jackson routine people remember for one move: the lean. The whole body tilts forward at an angle that shouldn't be possible, holds, and comes back up. On TikTok the trend borrows that moment plus the sharp, gangster-movie attitude of the original.
Where it comes from
"Smooth Criminal" was released on Jackson's 1987 album Bad, and its short film was part of his 1988 movie Moonwalker. Set in a 1930s-style club, it features white suits, fedoras and a tightly synchronized group routine. The anti-gravity lean was done with wires on film; for live shows Jackson used shoes that hooked into pegs in the stage, a design he patented in 1993.
The moves people copy
- The lean: the signature. In real life, only fake it with a camera angle or AI.
- Kicks and points: a sharp kick, then a finger point at the camera.
- Hat and lapel moments: a hand to the hat brim or jacket, held for a beat.
- The freeze: stopping dead on the beat with a cool, blank face.
How to make yours
- Open the Smooth Criminal Dance trend.
- Upload one full-body photo. For a duo, both people fully in frame.
- Pick a direction: a hotel lobby lean, a duo "bodyguard" routine, or a midnight street scene.
- Generate an 8- or 15-second vertical video.
- Add the official song inside TikTok or Instagram.
What makes it work
Precision and attitude. The funniest versions put the routine somewhere ordinary, like a grocery aisle or a living room, and keep a completely straight face. Duo versions land when both people hit the same freeze at the same time.
Hashtags to start with: #smoothcriminaldance, #dancetrend, #aidance. Then read how to catch a trend early so you post while it's rising.
Frequently asked questions
- How did Michael Jackson do the Smooth Criminal lean?
- On stage he used specially designed shoes that hooked into pegs in the floor, an invention he patented in 1993. In the film the lean was helped by hidden wires.
- Can a normal person do the 45-degree lean?
- No, not safely without equipment. Don't try it. An AI video can show the lean without any risk.
- Can I do the Smooth Criminal dance with a friend?
- Yes. Duo versions are popular. Upload a photo of both of you, fully visible, and pick the duo direction.
- Does the video include the Smooth Criminal song?
- No. TrendMe videos come with AI-generated sound. Add the official song from TikTok's or Instagram's music library when you post.