Merrick Hanna, born March 22, 2005, is an American dancer, actor, YouTuber, and social media personality from San Diego, California.
He rose to national attention as a semifinalist on America’s Got Talent Season 12 in 2017 and has since built one of the largest dance-focused audiences on YouTube, with over 17 million subscribers.
Who is Merrick Hanna?
Merrick William Hanna is an American hip-hop dancer, actor, rapper, animator, and content creator. He grew up in Encinitas, California, and first made his name through his distinctive “flo-bot” dance style.
His performances blend fluid, wave-like body movements with robotic precision. This unique technique caught the attention of millions online before he ever stepped onto a major stage.
Merrick became a national name at just 12 years old when he performed on America’s Got Talent Season 12. He earned standing ovations from judges including Simon Cowell and Mel B throughout the competition.
Beyond television, he has built a major presence on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. He also started the widely popular “glitch” dance trend, which spread globally across social media platforms.
Early Life of Merrick Hanna
Merrick Hanna was born on March 22, 2005, in San Diego, California, and grew up in Encinitas, California. His parents are Shawn Hanna, a businessman, and Aletha Hanna.
He has a younger brother named Sagan Hanna. The family has remained close throughout Merrick’s career, with his parents supporting his performance work from an early age.
His grandmother also played a notable role in sparking his interest in dance. She takes four dance classes a week despite being in her eighties, which Merrick has cited as a personal influence.
He appeared in a local coast newspaper in November 2015, one of his earliest media mentions. By then, he had already started posting dance videos online and gaining early traction on social media.
Merrick Hanna Age
Merrick Hanna is 21 years old as of June 28, 2026, born on March 22, 2005. His zodiac sign is Aries. In 2026, he continues to post content actively on YouTube and TikTok while managing his acting and dance career.
Merrick Hanna Ethnicity and Nationality
Merrick Hanna is American, born and raised in Southern California. His background includes Northwestern European ancestry, with Irish and Scottish roots on his family’s side. His full birth name is Merrick William Hanna.
Merrick Hanna Height and Weight
Merrick Hanna stands at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall. His weight is approximately 67 kg (148 lbs). He has an athletic build that supports the physical demands of his fluid, full-body dance style.
Merrick Hanna Career
Merrick launched his YouTube channel in 2015 at age 10, posting his first freestyle dance videos. Within months, his unique flo-bot style began spreading across social platforms.
Early Career
Before his national television debut, Merrick auditioned for America’s Got Talent in Seasons 10 and 11 but did not advance past pre-audition cuts. He also performed in summer Shakespeare productions with the Intrepid Theater Company, including Much Ado About Nothing and A Winter’s Tale.
In December 2016, he appeared in the pilot of Lip Sync Battle Shorties on Nickelodeon. That pilot aired as a one-off special before two full seasons of the show ran between October 2017 and February 2019.
Merrick also appeared on So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation, building his television profile ahead of his AGT run.
America’s Got Talent Breakthrough
In 2017, Merrick secured a spot on America’s Got Talent Season 12. His audition in Episode 1201 featured a performance set to Alec Benjamin’s “I Built a Friend,” in which he portrayed a broken robot coming to life.
All four judges, including Simon Cowell, Mel B, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum, voted yes, sending him straight to the Judge Cuts. His Judge Cuts performance to Lindsey Stirling and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness’ “Something Wild” earned standing ovations from Simon Cowell and Mel B.
Merrick advanced through the Quarterfinals to the Semifinals. His Semifinals performance set to Jon Bellion’s “iRobot (The Human Condition)” was widely praised, but he did not receive enough votes to reach the Finals.
Acting and Content Creation
After AGT, Merrick expanded steadily into acting and digital content. He played Edward in the Nickelodeon digital series Mani from 2019 to 2021 and later reprised the role of Edward in the BRAT TV series Attaway General in 2021 and 2022.
In 2020, he joined the content house Vibe Crew, collaborating with other creators and expanding his reach. That same year, he appeared in Alienated as Teen David Bennett and in Team Kaylie as Bradley.
In 2022, he appeared in A Genie’s Tail as Oliver and in Velvet Prozak as Billy, continuing to take on acting roles alongside his content work.
Merrick also modeled for national brands including GAP Kids, H&M, and Honda during this period.
Merrick Hanna Filmography
Merrick Hanna’s acting credits include:
- Just Doug (2017)
- Star Audition (2017, short film, as Lil Bro)
- Mani (2019-21, as Edward)
- Alienated (2020, as Teen David Bennett)
- Team Kaylie (2020, as Bradley)
- Bob Hearts Abishola (2020)
- Attaway General (2021-22, as Edward)
- A Genie’s Tail (2022, as Oliver)
- Velvet Prozak (2022, as Billy)
Merrick Hanna Awards and Recognition
Merrick Hanna reached the Semifinals of America’s Got Talent Season 12 in 2017, earning standing ovations from judges on multiple occasions. His performance to “iRobot” became one of the most-discussed moments of that season.
In 2018, he appeared as a headliner at YouTube Onstage, a showcase event tied to VidCon in Anaheim, California. That billing placed him alongside major YouTube creators and established artists.
He also started the widely replicated “glitch” dance trend on social media. That trend continues to appear across TikTok and Instagram years after he originated it.
Merrick Hanna Girlfriend
Merrick Hanna began dating Indi Star, a pop singer and social media personality, in late 2023. Indi Star, also known as Indigo Star Carey, rose to prominence after appearing with KIDZ BOP in 2018 before transitioning into solo music and acting.
The two have shared their relationship publicly on social media. As of 2026, their relationship status has not been officially updated by either party.
Merrick Hanna Net Worth
Merrick Hanna’s estimated net worth is $830,000, earned through television appearances, brand partnerships, modeling campaigns, and social media monetization across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
His YouTube channel, which he launched in 2015, has grown to over 17 million subscribers and more than 1,600 uploaded videos. He has also earned from modeling with GAP Kids, H&M, and Honda, and from his recurring acting roles on Nickelodeon and BRAT TV productions.
His income streams have grown steadily since his AGT appearance in 2017, which opened doors across both traditional television and digital platforms.
Merrick Hanna Social Media
Merrick Hanna is active across multiple platforms under the handle @merrickhanna on Instagram and @merrickhanna on TikTok. His YouTube channel launched in 2015 and has over 17 million subscribers as of 2026.
His content spans dance videos, behind-the-scenes footage, personal vlogs, and collaborations with other creators. He started his TikTok account when the platform operated under the name Musical.ly.
Merrick remains one of the most-followed dance-focused creators on YouTube. His consistent output since 2015 has built a loyal audience across multiple platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Merrick Hanna’s net worth?
Merrick Hanna’s estimated net worth is $830,000, earned from television work, brand deals, modeling, and social media across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
How old is Merrick Hanna?
Merrick Hanna is 21 years old as of June 28, 2026, born on March 22, 2005, in San Diego, California.
Who is Merrick Hanna dating?
Merrick Hanna has been dating pop singer Indi Star since late 2023. Their current status as of mid-2026 has not been publicly confirmed by either.
What is Merrick Hanna famous for?
Merrick Hanna is best known for his “flo-bot” dance style and his Semifinalist run on America’s Got Talent Season 12 in 2017. He also started the viral “glitch” dance trend on social media.
Where was Merrick Hanna born?
Merrick Hanna was born in San Diego, California, and grew up in Encinitas, California.
What shows has Merrick Hanna been in?
Merrick has appeared in Mani, Attaway General, Team Kaylie, Alienated, A Genie’s Tail, Velvet Prozak, and Lip Sync Battle Shorties, among others.
The Bottom Line
Merrick Hanna reached the Semifinals of America’s Got Talent Season 12 in 2017 at just 12 years old, earning standing ovations from Simon Cowell and Mel B across multiple rounds.
He grew up in Encinitas, California, and credits his grandmother, who still takes four dance classes a week in her eighties, as one of his earliest inspirations for pursuing dance.
Since 2021, Merrick has continued to act in productions for Nickelodeon and BRAT TV while building a YouTube channel with over 17 million subscribers. We hope you enjoyed reading about Merrick Hanna. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
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