For me, a dancer is part of an artistโs entertainment - โbackup dancerโ isnโt even in my vocabulary.
Laurieann GibsonPeople were being so mean as a result of my ability - a gift, really. So I think that's what makes me fight harder to provide an option to aspiring kids or artists. I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I went through... to see a little girl or a little dancer experience such unnecessary rejection.
Laurieann Gibson'Saturday Night Fever,' Paula Abdul, 'Fame,' Debbie Allen... all affected me and the generation before me.
Laurieann GibsonArtist development is something that I've been passionate about from my days at Uptown and Motown Records.
Laurieann GibsonBack in the early days like for the Temptations, Supremes and Four Tops, artist development was alive in record companies. Every artist had a moment to develop the record visually. When the web took over and camera phones, it stripped the artists of the power to figure it out. So there's a need to bridge that gap and that's my job.
Laurieann GibsonI was very disenchanted in the industry for a long time before I met GaGa. Everyone wanted a "Single Ladies" for their artist, or a Puffy move.
Laurieann GibsonI think that there was a fad where everyone said, "I want you to create a signature step for my artist." The thing is, for me, music creates the step. The artist commands the step, you know?
Laurieann GibsonI dance but I also work out. I run, do strength training... you name it. I've got to!
Laurieann GibsonI'm born originally in Toronto, and I have what I call my 'Fame' story. I took a Greyhound bus and went to Alvin Ailey and received Dunham, Horton, Graham technique there, but I could never take my eyes off of Balanchine doing 'Nutcracker'; to me he's the best who ever did it.
Laurieann GibsonEveryone has the notion that hip-hop is messy and loose, but there's also another level to it.
Laurieann Gibson