1. Overview
Laurieann Gibson (born July 14, 1969) is a Canadian choreographer, director, television personality, singer, actress, and dancer. She is widely recognized for her impactful choreography for numerous prominent musical artists, including Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé. Her directorial work spans music videos such, as "Judas" and "You and I", and major concert tours like BIGBANG's World Tour.
Gibson gained significant public recognition through her appearances on MTV reality series such as Making the Band and P. Diddy's Starmaker. She has also served as a judge on various television programs, including Little Talent Show, Skating with the Stars, and So You Think You Can Dance. In addition to her extensive work in dance and television, Gibson pursued a brief music career, releasing two albums. Her contributions to the music and entertainment industries have earned her accolades, including an MTV Video Music Award and the inaugural Willie Dunn Award.
2. Life
Laurieann Gibson's personal journey began in Canada, leading her to a distinguished career in the entertainment industry.
2.1. Early Life and Education
Gibson was born on July 14, 1969, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Her foundational training in dance was at the esteemed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a significant institution known for its contributions to modern dance. This rigorous training provided her with a strong background in theatre dance.
2.2. Early Career
Following her education, Gibson transitioned from theatre dance into the realm of hip hop, a pivotal shift that would define much of her subsequent career. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the director of choreography for influential record labels such as Motown Records and Bad Boy Records. Her early professional activities also included a notable role as a "Fly Girl" dancer on the popular television series In Living Color from 1993 to 1994. Gibson's public prominence further escalated in the mid-2000s as she became a featured personality on MTV's reality series Making the Band (2005-2009) and P. Diddy and Mark Burnett's P. Diddy's Starmaker series (2009).
3. Career
Laurieann Gibson's career spans multiple facets of the entertainment industry, encompassing her roles as a choreographer, director, television personality, and musician.
3.1. Choreography
Gibson is renowned for her extensive choreography work with a wide array of musical artists, shaping their stage performances and music videos. She has choreographed for global superstars including Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga. Her work with Lady Gaga was particularly prominent, contributing to iconic music videos and live performances for songs such as "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich" (2008), "Poker Face" (2008), "LoveGame" (2009), "Paparazzi" (2009), "Bad Romance" (2009), "Telephone" (2010), "Alejandro" (2010), "Born This Way" (2011), "Judas" (2011), "The Edge of Glory" (live performances, 2011), and "Yoü and I" (2011).
Beyond Lady Gaga, Gibson's choreography credits include:
- 1997: Missy Elliott - "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)"
- 2000: Lil' Kim - "No Matter What They Say"
- 2004: Brandy - "Afrodisiac" and "Talk About Our Love"
- 2005: JoJo - "Leave (Get Out)" and "Not That Kinda Girl"
- 2006: Danity Kane - "Show Stopper" and "Ride for You"
- 2007: LAX Gurlz - "Forget You"
- 2008: Danity Kane - "Damaged"
- 2008: Lady Gaga - "Just Dance"
- 2009: Cassie - "Must Be Love"
- 2009: Sun Ho - "Fancy Free"
- 2010: Katy Perry - "California Gurls"
- 2010: Keri Hilson - "The Way You Love Me"
- 2010: Natalia Kills - "Mirrors"
- 2010: Nicki Minaj - "Check It Out" (for the 2010 VMA Pre-Show)
- 2011: Natalia Kills - "Wonderland"
- 2011: JoJo - "The Other Chick"
- 2011: Six D - "Best Damn Night"
- 2012: Nicki Minaj - "Roman Holiday" (for the 54th Grammy Awards performance)
- 2012: Cassie - "King of Hearts"
- 2012: Big Bang - "Big Bang Alive Galaxy Tour 2012"
- 2013: AGNEZ MO - "Coke Bottle" featuring Timbaland and T.I
- 2013: Nicki Minaj - "High School" (for the 2013 Billboard Music Awards performance)
- 2016: BLACKPINK - "Boombayah"
- 2016: BTS - "Not Today"
- 2001-2017: Britney Spears (including the 2016 Medley at the Billboard Music Awards and the 2018 Britney Spears: Piece of Me Tour)
- 2017: Dance Moms
She also choreographed for films such as Alfie and Honey. For Honey, Gibson trained actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw for six months to perfect her pop-star persona in Beyond the Lights.
3.2. Directing and Production
Gibson has also made significant contributions as a director and producer, particularly in music videos and concert tours. She co-directed several music videos for Lady Gaga, including "Judas" (2011) and "You and I" (2011). Other music video directing credits include Keri Hilson's "The Way You Love Me" (2010) and Jeffree Star's "Love to My Cobain" (2013). In 2012, Gibson directed the highly successful BIGBANG's World Tour, showcasing her ability to manage large-scale live productions. She also directed and choreographed Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden in 2011.
3.3. Television and Media Appearances
Gibson has been a prominent figure in various television programs, often in roles that highlight her expertise in dance and entertainment. She rose to public prominence on MTV's reality series Making the Band (2005-2009) and later on P. Diddy's Starmaker (2009). Her judging roles include Little Talent Show (2006), Skating with the Stars (2010), and the sixteenth season of So You Think You Can Dance (2019), where she judged alongside Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and Dominic "D-Trix" Sandoval.
Other television appearances and roles include:
- 1993-1994: In Living Color (as a Fly Girl dancer)
- 2011: The Dance Scene
- 2011: Born to Dance
- 2013: Mary Mary
- 2017: Dance Moms (as a choreographer for Abby Lee Miller's Elite Competition Team)
- 2018: Laurieann Gibson: Beyond the Spotlight (as herself)
- 2024: Dress My Tour (as a judge)
3.4. Music Career
In addition to her work behind the scenes, Laurieann Gibson also had a brief music career, releasing two albums: Addictive in 2006 and Last Chance in 2012.
4. Filmography
Laurieann Gibson's filmography includes her work as a dancer, choreographer, director, and actress across various television and film productions.
4.1. Television Appearances
- 1993-1994: In Living Color - Fly Girl dancer
- 2005-2009: Making the Band
- 2006: Little Talent Show - Judge
- 2009: P. Diddy's Starmaker
- 2010: Skating with the Stars - Judge
- 2011: The Dance Scene
- 2011: Born to Dance
- 2013: Mary Mary
- 2017: Dance Moms
- 2018: Laurieann Gibson: Beyond the Spotlight - Herself
- 2019: So You Think You Can Dance - Judge
- 2024: Dress My Tour - Judge
4.2. Film Roles and Choreography
- 2003: Honey - Choreographer, cameo appearance as Katrina (Jessica Alba's dance rival)
- 2011: Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden - Director, choreographer, cameo appearance
- 2011: Honey 2 - Cameo appearance
- 2014: Beyond the Lights - Choreographer (trained Gugu Mbatha-Raw)
4.3. Music Video Directing
- 2010: Keri Hilson - "The Way You Love Me"
- 2011: Lady Gaga - "Judas" - Co-director
- 2011: Lady Gaga - "You and I" - Co-director
- 2013: Jeffree Star - "Love to My Cobain" - Co-director
5. Discography
- 2006: Addictive
- 2012: Last Chance
6. Awards and Nominations
Laurieann Gibson has received significant recognition for her work in choreography and directing, including nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and multiple MTV Video Music Awards, winning one. In 2020, she was honored with the inaugural Willie Dunn Award.
| Award | Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2011 | Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden (2011) | Nominated |
| MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) | 2010 | Best Choreography | Lady Gaga: Bad Romance (2009) | Won |
| Best Choreography | Lady Gaga Feat. Beyoncé: Telephone (2010) | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Best Choreography | Lady Gaga: Judas (2011) | Nominated | |
| Teen Choice Awards | 2011 | Choice TV: Female Reality/Variety Star | The Dance Scene (2011) | Nominated |
| Prism Prize | 2020 | Willie Dunn Award | For her work as a choreographer and director of music videos | Honored |
7. Personal Life
Laurieann Gibson is the godmother of American model and dancer Alton Mason. She played a pivotal role in launching Mason's career by securing him a position as a backup dancer for P. Diddy at the BET Awards 2015.
8. Criticism and Controversy
In November 2011, Lady Gaga ended her professional relationship with Laurieann Gibson. This separation was publicly attributed to "creative differences" between the two, marking a notable shift in Lady Gaga's creative team.
9. Impact
Laurieann Gibson has left a significant mark on the music and entertainment industries through her innovative choreography and directing. Her distinctive style and ability to craft visually compelling performances have influenced numerous artists and productions. Her work with global icons like Lady Gaga and BIGBANG demonstrates her broad reach and impact across different cultural landscapes. The establishment of the Willie Dunn Award in 2020, with Gibson as its inaugural recipient, specifically honors her pioneering contributions as a choreographer and director of music videos, solidifying her legacy as an influential figure who has shaped the visual language of contemporary music.