Growing up in central-western New South Wales, Charles Bartley never dreamed he would one day be teaching Channing Tatum how to move his hips on the big screen.
"I got to tell Channing Tatum how to be sexy, basically," dancer Charles Bartley said.
As a kid in Dubbo, Charles dreamed of turning his passion for dance into a career — and now, that dream is his reality.
Charles was part of the choreography team for the most recent instalment of the movie franchise, Magic Mike, alongside his younger brother Anthony.
The brothers worked with Hollywood stars Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek Pinault in the third and final instalment of the films, Magic Mike's Last Dance.
"To sit there in the cinema and then for your name to roll up on the credits, it's a pretty surreal moment," Charles said.
In another stand-out achievement, the siblings choreographed and performed the dance for Best Original Song at the 2023 Oscars, Naatu Naatu, from the Indian movie RRR.
They also recently performed on the Kelly Clarkson Show alongside alumni of the Magic Mike Live Show, to announce the next leg of the show's tour.
Starting out
Charles and Anthony started out in local dance studios before moving to Sydney to pursue their dance careers.
In 2009, Charles won runner up in the final of the Australian So You Think You Can Dance TV show.
He moved to the USA in 2017, and Anthony joined him two years later.
Their Hollywood break came after working on live stage shows for Magic Mike.
Charles said working with his younger brother was invaluable on a project the size of Magic Mike 3.
"You've always got someone on your side," he said.
The brothers also appreciated the opportunity to see other creative people at work, particularly Tatum, who was involved some of the more sensual scenes they gave instruction on.
"Luckily, [Tatum] respects us a lot as dancers," Charles said.
"So I'll be like, 'Hey dude, you need to move your hips more like this, you know?' and he'll be like, 'Oh, thanks man. Appreciate it'."
Next steps for dance duo
Charles is modest as he reflects on his achievements, attributing much of his success to his country upbringing.
"There is this weird drive which I love in country kids, and I can see that in both Anthony and I … and I definitely owe a part of that to being from Dubbo," Charles said.
And things are only looking up for the brothers, who already have another choreography gig in the works.
"We're prepping at the moment. Unfortunately, I can't say what it is, as [with] all fun things … but that's going to consume the next three months of our lives," Charles said.
