When most people his age were rockin’ to “Fraggle
Rock” during their diaper years, Wade Robson had already
begun working toward his future dance career.
As soon as the dancer/choreographer discovered how to use his
legs, his career had begun. Now 20 years old, the renowned
choreographer for Britney Spears and *NSYNC will be offering a
dance lesson today at noon in Ackerman Grand Ballroom, teaching
UCLA students how to move and groove just like their favorite pop
star.
Robson’s moves didn’t come out of nowhere. Since he
was a toddler, the young dancer has gotten his inspiration from the
King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. At the age of 2, Robson
repeatedly watched Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”
in an attempt to learn the intricate moves and poses.
“The moment I saw The Making of “˜Thriller’ I
fell in love with it and was hooked on dancing,” said
Robson.
After learning the “Thriller” dance, Robson
performed it in a contest in his hometown of Brisbane, Australia
when he was 5 years old, and won the contest. His prize was not the
ordinary ribbon or trophy, but rather to meet and perform with
Michael Jackson.
“The night when I performed with Michael, I realized that
this is what I wanted to do all my life,” said Robson.
The very following day, on the advice of Jackson, he joined a
dance studio ““ but instead of learning dance in conventional
classes, Robson taught himself and continued to foster his dancing
capabilities without taking classes.
“Dancing was a way of expression and freedom for
me,” said Robson. “When I dance, I don’t have to
think about anything ““ time doesn’t exist and nothing
matters but what I see.”
From traveling and touring with his dance company (playing the
role of the “token Michael Jackson impersonator”) and
journeying to the United States for performances as well as
numerous vacations to the infamous Never-Never Land Ranch,
Robson’s young life was full of extraordinary opportunities
all motivated by his main inspiration, Jackson.
“Michael was a true inspiration and an amazing guide for
me,” said Robson. “He set me up with dance parts in
Hollywood as well as teaching me not only about dancing but about
life as well.”
By the time he was 16, Robson had been choreographing and had
even started teaching his own hip-hop class. He was also becoming
well known in numerous studios. He was soon hired to choreograph
Spears’ first tour and began choreographing for *NSYNC soon
after.
“Working with all these different groups gave me
experience in not only choreographing, but also helped me in my
directing career,” said Robson. “I started working on
creating their whole performances ““ from set changes and
backdrops to the dancing.”
But spending so much time with people on a professional level,
it’s difficult not to develop personal relationships as well.
Robson became good friends with Spears and Justin Timberlake and
said he was many times in the middle of their personal quarrels
which culminated in their highly publicized breakup.
“It was hard being in the middle of it,” Robson
said. “I was close with both, I was getting calls from both
sides. I tried to keep in contact with both and keep a neutral
attitude.”
Since the Spears-Timberlake breakup, rumors have been
circulating that Robson and Spears had an affair that caused the
split, but Robson has publicly denied such allegations.
In spite of all of the circulating gossip, Robson manages to
keep his feet firmly planted in the world of dance. As for the
future of dancing and performance, Robson believes that musicals
are coming back into the spotlight ““ moving away from the
“pop scene,” storyline performances in videos and
musical theater feats are becoming the focus of entertainment.
“It’s interesting to see the transition in the music
world and how that affects the dance community,” said Robson.
“The cycle from pop in the early ’90s to grunge in the
mid ’90s and then back to pop nowadays illustrates how music
will always be in a continuing cycle, and although styles of dance
change, it will always be around.”
Continuing with his passion for directing, Robson is now working
on a Disney musical that will begin filming at the end of this
year. He hopes to continue in the directing field and make more
musicals incorporating his signature dance moves as well as showing
audience members newer dance techniques.
“It’ll be hard going from the top of the totem pole
to the bottom again,” said Robson of entering the film
industry. “But then again, it’s not fun staying at the
top, it’s more fun trying to get there.”