Beyonce’s choreographer: Her moves are so simple even your grandmother could do them

Beyonce's choreographer on the secrets to her success and why Jessie J could rival her
Full of praise: Beyoncé (Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
Lizzie Edmonds @lizzieedmo13 February 2015
The Weekender

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Beyonce's music videos are hugely popular because they feature dance moves that “even your grandmother could do”, according to her choreographer - who predicts Jessie J could be as big as the world-famous singer.

Frank Gatson, 56, started his career dancing with Michael Jackson in the Smooth Criminal video and has since worked with the likes of Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and En Vogue.

He has choreographed some of Beyoncé’s most famous music videos, including Single Ladies — which has been viewed half a billion times online — and Crazy in Love.

The Louisiana-born choreographer told the Standard: “Beyoncé’s dances are so great and are so popular because they have steps that your grandma can do. They are simple. Anyone can pick it up. It is always the simple moves that capture people’s imagination. Bruno Mars does it very well too.”

Gatson, who first met Beyoncé when she was 15, said he thought Jessie J, who was born in Chadwell Heath, was a true performer who could rival Beyoncé, now 33.

He added: “As soon as I met her [Beyoncé] I knew. I knew she was the second coming of Michael Jackson. I told people that and they laughed. But I was right!

“I am a big fan of Jessie J too — she, like Beyoncé, is a true performer. When I first heard her sing live I was like ‘How amazing can she sing?’ She is on the level with Bey.

“There is a difference with true stars — they know how to work. They do not waste your time. They’ve worked hard to get there and don’t give it up. People who make it big very quickly are often lazy. They do not understand the reality. They haven’t been in the club making fools of themselves and trying out dance moves.”

Gatson, who has won seven MTV Awards, described working with Michael Jackson on Smooth Criminal as the best experience of his life. “I could not have asked for a better first job,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it when I found out. I worked with him again and again after that. He was a friend.”

He is most proud, however, of his En Vogue choreography: “The first people I really worked with and who kind of launched my career were En Vogue. We won an MTV Award for My Lovin’ which was amazing. I am really proud of that.”

The choreographer is about to feature in CNN’s dance show Ones To Watch, which looks at the dance world through his eyes and profiles two performers he predicts will be stars.

They are Lil Buck, who has worked with Madonna, and Chris Grant, an LA-based dancer who was handpicked by Jackson for his final tour.

Gatson said he was involved in the show as he wanted to inspire a new generation of dancers and choreographers to get into the industry and help to shape it.

He added: “I do not do much television and I like my privacy. But I wanted people to see what was behind the production and to be inspired.

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“But mainly I did it as I think the music industry is missing a trick. I think it needs to embrace video more.

“I think you should be able to walk in to a shop and buy a video. And if being on the show can help with that and help me change the industry and make that happen then that’s great.”

CNN Ones To Watch is on CNN International at 4.30pm today.

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