Worthy of Love: Nic Dantes Steps Into His Spotlight

Worthy of Love: Nic Dantes Steps Into His Spotlight

There’s a spark in Nic Dantes that refuses to dim — a mix of theater‑kid discipline, ballet‑trained precision, and pop‑star bravado that feels entirely his own. After years of shaping his craft in Chicago’s tight‑knit theater community, training at the elite Joffrey Ballet Conservatory, and even stepping into the intense world of Law & Order: SVU, Nic is now carving out a bold new lane in pop music.

With his latest EP Know My Name: Act II, the singer‑dancer‑actor embraces vulnerability, swagger, and self‑reinvention in equal measure. Whether he’s exploring the ache of external validation in “Sex Tape (Worthy of Love),” the reckless thrill of “Hit and Run,” or the cinematic loneliness of “Knight in Shining Armor,” Nic delivers it all with a raw honesty that hits deeper than the glitter on the surface.

This is an artist in motion — evolving, experimenting, and unapologetically stepping into the spotlight he’s been building toward his entire life.

We’re here with Nic Dantes. First of all, where are you based out of, and what is your local music scene like?
I’m currently in Chicago, Illinois, but I bounce between New York and LA. I actually started in Chicago theater — I was a child actor — so I’ve always been more connected to that world. Music is newer for me, but it’s been exciting to explore and figure out who I am in it.

Let’s talk about your new single, Sex Tape (Worthy of Love). Is there a story or concept behind it?
Definitely. I wanted to hook people with the shocking title, but the truth is the song is really about wanting to feel worthy of love. It started as a diary entry — something I never intended to release because it felt too personal.

It came from this feeling of needing to prove myself, especially in a digital age where we’re constantly chasing external validation. I mention doing the most unhinged things — making a sex tape, making a movie, writing a sad song — as a way of poking fun at the extremes we think we need to go to in order to feel seen.

As a gay or queer artist, representation plays into how I see myself and how I feel seen. This song has so many layers, but at its core, it’s about that constant push to prove something we already have inside us.

Now, the chicken in your music video — tell me about that. Who is that chicken?
That was my brother’s idea! My brother Kenny directed the video. When he pitched the idea of a chicken, I was like, “Why?” But it made sense — the song is about grabbing attention, that “look at me” energy.

The chicken’s name is Duchess — she’s an award‑winning hen. We left the meaning open to interpretation. If people want to assign a deeper meaning, I’ll let them, but I’m not confirming anything.

You also have a new EP out — Know My Name: Act II. Tell me about the title and the story behind it.
It continues where Act I left off. It’s an evolution of me as an artist and of my alter ego, Twisted Nic. These five songs feel more personal and more mature. They reflect where I’m at — still figuring out who I want to be and how I want to show up in the world.

Sonically and emotionally, it’s a roller coaster. In “My Roller Coaster,” I’m young, hot, and confident. In “Sex Tape,” I’m insecure and vulnerable. It’s the body of work I’m most proud of because it’s the most personal.

I actually would like to do a do a track by track of of each of each one. We’ve already done Sex Tape, so let’s go to Hit and Run and tell me a little about that one.
It was the first song I wrote for the EP — and my first time in LA. I worked with Drew Louis and Jayelle. We wrote it in two or three hours. It came together fast.

This one lives through Twisted Nic — reckless, a little deviant in love. I was nervous working outside New York for the first time, but I love how it turned out. And the music video is out too, directed by my brother.

Tell me about “My Roller Coaster.”
It’s the Nic Dantes summer song. I love roller coasters, carnivals, fairs — and pop music. Those things feel connected: the whimsy, the excitement.

I wrote it with my friend Arjan Madan. I wanted something fun and mid‑tempo that people could dance to. And I wanted to gas myself up a bit — the lyric “young, hot, and confident” came from wanting to tap into that confident, playful version of myself.

Next up is “Picture Perfect.”
That one is special — my first solo writing credit. I found the beat online and wrote the whole thing myself. It’s a breakup song inspired by my friend’s breakup. She said, “I never wanted to be picture perfect — I just wanted him in the picture.” I told her, “I’m sorry, I have to take that.”

It brought in a lot of new listeners, which was really exciting.

And finally, “Knight in Shining Armor.”
I’ve always wanted to write a song with that title. It’s about being an independent artist — starting from the ground up, dreaming big, doing everything on your own. It’s easy to feel alone and wish someone would swoop in and save the day.

It’s also a single anthem — something for all my single people out there.

What was it like training at the Joffrey Ballet Conservatory?
One of the hardest and most formative experiences of my life. I dropped out of high school to join the program. I didn’t want to be a full‑time ballet dancer, but I knew I’d learn so much — and I did.

I carry those skills with me now as a pop artist and entertainer. Ballet dancers don’t get enough credit.

What was it like being on Law & Order: SVU?
Iconic. It’s one of those benchmark shows for actors. It didn’t hit me until I walked onto the set — the history, the cast, the energy. I learned so much about on‑camera acting. It was incredible.

How did you prepare for such an intense part?
There was a blizzard in New York during filming, and I was snowed into my hotel. That isolation helped me get into the mindset of my character, Romeo Martin — a TikTok ballet star detained and accused of a crime. It was wild, but it helped.

Have you done theater in both Chicago and New York?
I’ve only done workshops in New York, including one for Gloria Estefan’s musical Basura. But I got my start in Chicago as a child actor. Chicago theater is incredibly supportive and tight‑knit. When I returned in 2024 for The Little Mermaid and Spelling Bee, everyone welcomed me back with open arms. It felt like coming home.

What did you think of LA?
I love LA. I spent the summer there recording Act I and filming the videos for “Sex Tape,” “Hit and Run,” and “My Roller Coaster.” There’s an energy in the air. I always feel like the coolest person walking down the street.

Do you do live shows?
Not yet — but it’s on my bucket list. I’m basically my own booking agent right now. I want to do Chicago Pride, New York Pride, LA Pride. I’m a pop artist with dancers instead of a band, so it’s about finding the right venue.

In Conclusion

Nic Dantes is still early in his journey, but there’s a rare clarity in the way he talks about his art — a blend of ambition, humility, and a deep understanding of the work it takes to build something real. From the discipline of ballet to the emotional excavation of songwriting, every chapter of his story has shaped the artist he’s becoming.

As he sets his sights on live shows, Pride stages, and the next evolution of Twisted Nic, one thing is certain: Nic Dantes isn’t just asking the world to know his name — he’s giving us every reason to remember it. And if the heart, humor, and honesty of Act Two are any indication, this is only the beginning of a much bigger story.

At Press Time:  Nic Dantes will be playing We Found New Music at Bar Lubitsch in West Hollywood on August 31st!

(Interview by Ken Morton)

Nic Dantes on Instagram