Charli D’Amelio Joins Broadway’s & Juliet Cast, Sparking Debate on Stunt Casting

The recent announcement that Charli D’Amelio, a popular TikTok personality, will be joining the cast of the Broadway musical ‘& Juliet’ has sparked a wave of reactions and discussions within the theater community. Known for her dance videos on TikTok, D’Amelio has been cast as a dancer in the ensemble of the musical, which offers a reimagined narrative of Shakespeare‘s “Romeo and Juliet” where Juliet survives and writes her own story.

D’Amelio shared her excitement about the role on Instagram, stating, “This has been my ultimate dream ever since I was a little girl, but it always felt like something I could only admire from afar.” Her announcement has been met with a mix of praise and skepticism among theater enthusiasts and her fans alike.

Critics of the casting decision have raised concerns about “stunt casting,” a practice where celebrities are cast in high-profile roles primarily to attract media attention and boost ticket sales, often at the expense of trained theater professionals. One online commenter noted, “People train their whole lives to do this and she literally just gets it because she is ‘Charli D’Amelio.'”

Supporters argue that D’Amelio’s extensive background in dance legitimizes her presence on the Broadway stage. D’Amelio was notably featured on season 31 of “Dancing with the Stars,” where her abilities were widely praised by judges and audiences. Her participation on the show was seen as a testament to her dance skills, distinguishing her from typical celebrity stunt casting, which often involves prominent roles.

The tactic of stunt casting is not new to Broadway, with past examples including Brendon Urie in “Kinky Boots” and Wendy Williams in “Chicago.” Such castings have succeeded in drawing media attention, although not always enhancing the overall talent of the production.

Members of the current ‘& Juliet’ cast have expressed their approval of D’Amelio joining them, as evidenced by their social media interactions. The show’s choreography includes hip-hop and jazz elements, aligning with D’Amelio’s established repertoire. She is set to make her debut in the musical on October 29 and will perform until January 19 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.