10 Years Later: What Really Happened To Katy Perry's 'Left Shark' And The Dancer Who Became A Meme
Contents
The Men Behind the Masks: Left Shark and Right Shark Biographies
The viral moment was not the work of a random, untrained performer but two of Katy Perry's long-time, professional backup dancers, both of whom have extensive careers in the industry.Bryan Gaw: The Left Shark
- Role: Left Shark (The "Rogue" Dancer)
- Career Highlight: Backup dancer for Katy Perry for five years, performing on the *California Dreams Tour* and *Prismatic World Tour*.
- The Super Bowl Moment: During the "Teenage Dream" segment, Gaw’s movements were noticeably different from the choreographed routine, appearing chaotic, loose, and entirely improvised, leading to the "uncoordinated" meme.
- Explanation: Gaw later explained that his intention was to play a character—a clumsy, aloof, and somewhat lost shark—rather than forget the steps. He viewed the performance as a chance to be silly and have fun.
- Post-Shark Career: Gaw has since pivoted his professional life. As of the decade mark, he is working successfully as a professional hair stylist in the Los Angeles area.
- Quote: He described the experience as a dream come true, followed by becoming an "instant meme."
Scott Myrick: The Right Shark
- Role: Right Shark (The "Coordinated" Dancer)
- Career Highlight: Long-time professional backup dancer, also working with Katy Perry on and off since 2011. He is a highly respected dancer and choreographer in the industry.
- The Super Bowl Moment: Myrick executed the choreography perfectly, moving in time with the beat and in sync with Katy Perry, providing the perfect, straight-man contrast to Gaw's Left Shark.
- Legacy: Myrick embraced the role, even listing "Right Shark" in his social media descriptions, acknowledging his part in the iconic performance.
- Other Work: Myrick is known for his work with numerous other high-profile artists and continues to work in the dance and choreography world.
The Anatomy of a Viral Moment: Improvisation vs. Choreography
The magic of the Left Shark phenomenon lies in its perceived spontaneity. While Scott Myrick’s Right Shark was a picture of professional perfection, executing the planned choreography flawlessly, Bryan Gaw’s Left Shark seemed to be dancing to the beat of his own drum, or perhaps, simply struggling to remember the steps. The difference in their movements was stark and immediate. The Right Shark was sharp, precise, and followed the routine. The Left Shark, however, flailed its fins, shuffled its feet, and appeared to be giving a loose, interpretive dance performance. This contrast instantly captivated the 114.4 million viewers watching the Super Bowl Halftime Show, setting a record for the most-watched show in U.S. television history at the time. Bryan Gaw later clarified that his performance was not a mistake but a deliberate choice to improvise and lean into the absurdity of the moment. He saw the shark costume as a character—an "uncoordinated, aloof, and kind of lost" figure—and decided to play that character to the fullest. This intentional "rogue" behavior is what cemented his place in internet history, embodying a spirit of carefree, unpolished fun that resonated deeply with online culture.The Enduring Legacy: From Super Bowl to Internet Meme
The Left Shark became an overnight sensation, quickly evolving from a funny on-stage moment into a ubiquitous internet meme and a symbol for everything from feeling awkward at a party to simply not caring about following the rules. The immediate reaction was a flood of content: GIFs, image macros, fan art, and social media posts. The phrase "Be the Left Shark" became a popular motivational slogan, encouraging people to embrace their individuality and reject conformity. The moment was so powerful that it became a permanent fixture of Super Bowl lore, often cited alongside Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" and Beyoncé's powerful performance as one of the most talked-about Halftime Show incidents.The Intellectual Property Battle
The massive popularity of the character led to an interesting legal battle that highlights the intersection of pop culture and intellectual property law. Katy Perry's legal team attempted to secure a trademark for the Left Shark costume design. This move was an effort to control the merchandising and prevent unauthorized replicas from being sold. A key figure in this battle was Fernando Soza, a 3D printing artist who began selling a Left Shark figurine. Perry's lawyers sent a cease-and-desist letter to Soza, asserting copyright infringement on the design. However, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ultimately rejected Perry's bid to register the costume as a trademark, deeming the design not unique enough to warrant protection. This decision allowed the Left Shark to remain, in a sense, a character belonging to the public domain of internet culture, fueling its continued use and proliferation.The Left Shark's 10-Year Anniversary and Current Status
As the pop culture world looks back on the 10-year mark since Super Bowl XLIX, the Left Shark remains a prominent topic. The fact that Bryan Gaw was a professional dancer for years before the incident, and then successfully transitioned into a new career as a hair stylist, adds a layer of depth to the story. The entire incident serves as a fascinating case study in viral culture, demonstrating how a single, unscripted moment can completely hijack a multi-million-dollar production and become a far more memorable part of the cultural zeitgeist than the planned spectacle. The Left Shark is a testament to the power of authenticity, improvisation, and the internet's ability to immortalize the wonderfully awkward. The moment is a perfect example of a curiosity-driven event that continues to generate discussion and new content a decade later.Key Entities and Topical Authorities
- Katy Perry
- Bryan Gaw (Left Shark)
- Scott Myrick (Right Shark)
- Super Bowl XLIX (2015)
- Halftime Show
- "Teenage Dream" (Song)
- Missy Elliott
- Lenny Kravitz
- Glendale, Arizona
- Internet Meme Culture
- Intellectual Property Law
- U.S. Trademark Office
- Fernando Soza (3D Printer)
- Cease-and-Desist Letter
- Choreography
- Prismatic World Tour
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