Couple’s Dance Challenge: A Lift Inspired by Dancing With the Stars

Kate Fraser and her fiancé, Amandeep Sandhu, recently found themselves waking up with unexpected soreness and mild aches throughout their bodies. They hadn’t been involved in an intense workout or had a tumble out of bed; instead, they had attempted to replicate an impressive dance move from Danny Amendola on the hit ABC show “Dancing With the Stars.”

On an episode that aired on October 15, Mr. Amendola, a 38-year-old former NFL player, and his partner, Witney Carson, a talented dancer and choreographer, captivated the audience with a sultry performance to the song “Unsteady” by X Ambassadors. Around the 45-second mark of their routine, Mr. Amendola executed a stunning lift, raising Ms. Carson from the ground by gripping her ankle.

The couple’s seamless execution of the move drew enthusiastic cheers from the live audience and unexpectedly sparked a viral trend on TikTok. Many couples have since tried to emulate the lift, which is so challenging that TikTok has even added a disclaimer to certain videos: “Participating in this activity could result in you or others getting hurt.”

“I was absolutely captivated by their dance when I saw it posted online,” Ms. Fraser, 28, shared in an email. “When I noticed the TikTok trend where others were attempting the move, I couldn’t resist. I begged my fiancé to give it a shot with me.”

Much like the iconic lift performed by Johnny in the classic film “Dirty Dancing,” Mr. Amendola’s lift of Ms. Carson has captured the imagination of many. However, it has proven to be significantly more difficult than it appears at first glance.