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Jamie King
View on WikipediaJamie King (born 1972)[4] is an American creative director, choreographer, and producer. His work directing concert tours for pop stars has grossed over $2 billion as of 2011.[2]
Key Information
Early career
[edit]King started his career in entertainment as a dancer. He appeared on the Cher video for "Love And Understanding" and went on tour with Michael Jackson on his Dangerous World Tour in 1992.[1] Afterwards he worked as a director and choreographer in Prince's Glam Slam West nightclub in Los Angeles.[1] While there, King created a new show every week using songs that Prince was unable to commercially release due to legal obligations to Warner Bros. Records. It was during this time that King learned staging.[1] After seeing a performance by Prince at the American Music Awards of 1995 (that King directed and choreographed), Madonna called King to talk about the two of them working together.[1] The first time they worked together was when he choreographed her 1995 music video "Human Nature".[4]
Fitness ventures
[edit]In 2004, King teamed up with Nike to create the Nike Rockstar Workout for use in Crunch Fitness gyms across the United States.[5] In 2007, he released his Rock Your Body fitness DVD which sold 100,000 copies.[5]
Cirque du Soleil, Super Bowl, and Q'Viva
[edit]In 2011 King wrote and directed a touring show by Cirque du Soleil dedicated to Michael Jackson called Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour.[6] In 2012, he co-created the boy band IM5 with Perez Hilton and Simon Fuller[3][7] and directed Madonna's Super Bowl XLVI halftime performance. This performance marked the third time he appeared at Super Bowl for work. His first appearance was in 1993 as a dancer in Michael Jackson's performance at Super Bowl XXVII.[3] He returned in 1996 as a choreographer for Diana Ross' performance at Super Bowl XXX.
Also in 2012, he produced the Latin-themed entertainment show Q'Viva! The Chosen with Simon Fuller, Marc Anthony, and Jennifer Lopez.[8] The show was King's first experience working in television rather than stage;[8] however, the singers, instrumentalists, and dancers scouted from the show did give a one-time sold-out performance at the Mandalay Bay Events Center which King also directed.[3] King was the producer for Madonna's 2012 MDNA Tour which marked the first time since Madonna's 2001 Drowned World Tour that he had not been her tour's creative director.[9]
In 2013, King directed another Cirque Du Soleil Michael Jackson-themed show called Michael Jackson: One.[10] Unlike the touring show Immortal, Michael Jackson: One is a resident stage show housed at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Later in the year, King was the creative director for the third season of The X Factor.[11]
In 2014, King directed Bruno Mars' Super Bowl XLVIII halftime performance which marked the fourth time he had appeared at Super Bowl for work.[11]
Tours
[edit]King was the director for the following tours/productions:
- 1996: Take Me Higher: A Celebration of 30 years of the Super Bowl halftime show - Diana Ross[3]
- 1997: Soft & Gentle 'No Sweat' Tour – Louise Redknapp
- 1999-2000: Livin' la Vida Loca Tour – Ricky Martin
- 2000-2001: Oops!... I Did It Again World Tour – Britney Spears
- 2001: Drowned World Tour – Madonna
- 2003: Stripped World Tour – Christina Aguilera[1]
- 2004: Re-Invention World Tour – Madonna
- 2006: Confessions Tour – Madonna
- 2006-2007: Rain's Coming World Tour – Rain
- 2006-2007: Back to Basics Tour – Christina Aguilera
- 2007: Ricky Martin Live: Black and White Tour – Ricky Martin
- 2007-2008: The Return of the Spice Girls – Spice Girls
- 2008: The Best Damn Tour – Avril Lavigne
- 2008-2009: Taking Chances World Tour – Celine Dion
- 2008: Hard Candy Promo Tour – Madonna
- 2008-2009: Sticky & Sweet Tour – Madonna
- 2009: The Circus Starring Britney Spears[12] – Britney Spears
- 2010: Last Girl on Earth Tour – Rihanna
- 2011: Loud Tour – Rihanna
- 2011: Femme Fatale Tour – Britney Spears
- 2011: Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour[13] – Cirque du Soleil
- 2012: ¡Q'Viva! The Chosen Live[14] – Reality Show: Los Angeles, Las Vegas & Tour of Latin America
- 2012: Super Bowl XLVI halftime show[15] – Madonna
- 2012: Dance Again World Tour - Jennifer Lopez
- 2012: Summer Tour 2012 - Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias
- 2013: Michael Jackson: One – Cirque du Soleil[10]
- 2014: Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show – Bruno Mars
- 2014-2015: Japan Dome Tour "X" – Big Bang
- 2015-2016: Rebel Heart Tour - Madonna
- 2018: Liberation Tour - Christina Aguilera
- 2019: The Nicki Wrld Tour - Nicki Minaj
- 2019-2020: Madame X Tour - Madonna (credited as a creative producer)
- 2023: The Celebration Tour - Madonna[16]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Pilato, Bruce (July 21, 2011). "Channeling MTV devotion into a career". Variety. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
- ^ a b c Ryder, Caroline (July 20, 2011). "King aims large without sacrificing intimacy". Variety. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e Woulfe, Neil (May 31, 2012). "Up Close With Director/Choreographer Jamie King: Music's $2 Billion Man!". RadarOnline.com. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- ^ a b "Helping Madonna Hit Her Marks". The New York Times. June 20, 2004. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
- ^ a b Hill, Shelby (July 21, 2011). "Expanding the King brand into the fitness realm". Variety. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
- ^ Webster, Andy (April 2, 2012). "Singing Pageant of Pop, With a Circus Atmosphere". The New York Times. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
- ^ Tyrell (February 22, 2012). "Perez Hilton, Simon Fuller & Jamie King Reveal New Boy Band: IM5". Homorazzi.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- ^ a b Young, Susan (July 21, 2011). "Playing Kingmaker in the manner of 'Idol'". Variety. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
- ^ MDNA Tour book (Media notes). Madonna. Boy Toy Inc., Live Nation Merchandise. 2012.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ a b Leach, Robin (May 24, 2013). "'Michael Jackson One' is Cirque du Soleil's best — and includes snow at Mandalay Bay". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on July 22, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Director: Jamie King". McDonaldSelznick.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
- ^ "Spears' "Circus" Tour Picks Up Madonna Choreographer As Father's Financial Hold Grows Stronger". Rolling Stone. December 23, 2008. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
- ^ Pilato, Bruce (July 20, 2011). "Resurrecting Michael via Cirque Du Soleil". Variety. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
- ^ "Jennifer Lopez In 'Q'Viva': A Talent Search Goes Bilingual, With A Dash Of Drama". NPR. March 2, 1012. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
- ^ "Madonna to perform at halftime of Super Bowl". MyWay.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 8, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
- ^ Lynch, Joe (October 13, 2023). "Madonna's Celebration Tour: 13 Numbers That Give a Sneak Peek Into the Global Trek". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
- ^ "2013 ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR - JAMIE KING!". TremaineDance.com. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- ^ "The Madame X Tour Credits". 19 September 2019.
External links
[edit]Jamie King
View on GrokipediaEarly Life and Beginnings
Childhood and Influences
Jamie King was born in 1972 in Verona, Wisconsin, to a white teenage mother named Barb King and a Black biological father who left the family early in King's childhood.[2][3] His mother later remarried Dave Watts, and the family resided on Poplar Way in the small town, where King attended Verona Area High School, graduating in 1990.[3] King has described his childhood as challenging and marked by a strong people-pleasing tendency, as he worked various high school jobs—such as making pizzas, tinting car windows, cleaning offices, and watering greenhouses—to help ease his mother's financial struggles.[2] The family's basement was remodeled into a makeshift studio with a mirrored wall and black-and-white tiled floor, serving as King's primary space for creative expression.[3] From an early age, King displayed an instinctive passion for dance, beginning to move to music as soon as he could walk and using it as a core outlet in the household without any formal training.[8] He taught himself by meticulously recreating MTV music videos in the living room and basement, papering his walls with posters of 1980s icons like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Prince, whom he emulated daily from middle school onward.[9] King was also influenced by performers such as Janet Jackson.[3] A pivotal influence was Debbie Allen's portrayal in the television series Fame, which introduced him to the artistry of choreography and shaped his vision of dance as a transformative profession.[8] These self-directed sessions to pop videos became his main creative escape, honing his skills and fueling a dream of fame that earned him votes as "most likely to be famous" in both eighth grade and his senior year of high school.[3]Entry into Dance
Following his self-taught foundation in dance, developed through daily reenactments of MTV music videos in his family's basement in Verona, Wisconsin, Jamie King graduated from Verona Area High School in 1990. While still in high school, he traveled to Los Angeles for auditions and won a scholarship to a prestigious dance studio at age 16.[10] He relocated permanently to Los Angeles shortly after graduation.[3] His parents, recognizing his passion, had supported this early interest by remodeling the basement into a makeshift studio with mirrors and a dance floor, influenced by his childhood exposure to performers like Michael Jackson and Prince.[3][10] Upon arriving in Los Angeles, King faced initial hardships, including financial challenges and the competitive nature of the entertainment industry, but persisted by enrolling in professional dance classes.[10] This formal training built on his self-taught skills, enabling him to secure auditions and land his first paid gigs as a background dancer.[2][10] One of his early breakthroughs came in 1991 with an appearance as a dancer in Cher's music video for "Love and Understanding," which marked his entry into the entertainment industry through visible work in pop music visuals.[11]Professional Career Launch
Initial Collaborations
King's entry into professional dance came through his self-taught style, heavily influenced by MTV videos he studied obsessively as a teenager in Wisconsin.[2] In 1992, at age 20, he secured one of the limited male dancer positions on Michael Jackson's Dangerous World Tour (1992–1993), where he performed alongside the pop icon during the 69-concert global production that showcased high-energy routines for hits like "Beat It" and "Smooth Criminal."[2] This role extended to the tour's promotional highlight, including a performance as a dancer in Jackson's groundbreaking Super Bowl XXVII halftime show on January 31, 1993, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, which drew an estimated 133 million viewers and revolutionized halftime entertainment.[2] Building on this exposure, King transitioned into assistant choreography roles in the mid-1990s, collaborating with Prince to refine his staging techniques for live performances and videos, which helped establish his versatility in pop production.[2] A pivotal early credit came in 1995 when he served as choreographer—and also appeared as a dancer—for Madonna's "Human Nature" music video, directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, marking his first major partnership with the artist and introducing bold, narrative-driven movement that addressed media scrutiny of her image.[2] These initial collaborations in live tours and videos solidified King's reputation as a rising talent capable of blending precision dance with theatrical spectacle in the competitive pop industry.Breakthrough in Music Videos and Tours
King's transition from dancer to lead choreographer gained momentum in the mid-1990s, highlighted by his role in high-profile live events that showcased his innovative staging and precision. In 1996, he served as choreographer for Diana Ross's halftime performance at Super Bowl XXX, held at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, where Ross delivered a medley of hits culminating in a dramatic helicopter exit, marking one of the first major spectacles in Super Bowl halftime history. This opportunity built on his earlier experience as a backup dancer for Michael Jackson during the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, where he honed skills in large-scale production that would define his career.[1][12] By the early 2000s, King had elevated to directing and choreographing major pop tours, beginning with Madonna's Drowned World Tour in 2001, which promoted her album Music and featured elaborate aquatic-themed sets and choreography blending vogueing with contemporary dance. Assembling a creative team in just three months, King directed the 47-show production, which grossed over $75 million and earned critical acclaim for its cinematic visuals broadcast on HBO. This success led to his direction of Madonna's Re-Invention World Tour in 2004, supporting American Life, where he integrated multimedia elements and equestrian motifs into 56 performances across North America and Europe, achieving a record-breaking $125 million in gross revenue for a female artist's tour at the time. Additionally, King directed and choreographed Madonna's "Sorry" music video in 2006, a sequel to "Hung Up" that featured synchronized dance routines with a troupe of performers in a warehouse setting, emphasizing themes of apology through kinetic energy.[1][4][13][14] King's breakthrough extended to emerging pop stars, where he shaped visually immersive tours that blended theatricality with commercial appeal. He directed and co-choreographed Britney Spears's Oops!... I Did It Again Tour in 2000, promoting her album of the same name with innovative staging and high-energy performances that grossed tens of millions worldwide. Similarly, for Christina Aguilera's Stripped Tour in 2003, King directed the 45-show North American co-headlining run (Justified & Stripped Tour) with Justin Timberlake, tied to her album Stripped, incorporating burlesque influences and raw emotional delivery through dynamic group choreography that highlighted Aguilera's vocal range amid minimalist yet impactful visuals. These projects not only boosted the artists' profiles but also demonstrated King's ability to scale intimate concepts for arena environments, grossing tens of millions collectively and influencing pop tour aesthetics.[1][15]Major Choreography and Directing Projects
Tours with Pop Icons
Jamie King's choreography and direction for major pop artist tours beginning in the mid-2000s established him as a pivotal figure in live concert production, blending high-energy dance sequences with elaborate theatrical staging to create immersive experiences that drove massive commercial success. Building on his foundational collaborations with Madonna in the early 2000s, King's work during this period contributed to tours that collectively grossed over $2 billion in ticket sales by 2011, showcasing his ability to elevate pop performances into cinematic spectacles.[1][4] His key tours from this era are detailed chronologically below, highlighting the artists, dates, roles, and distinctive stylistic innovations such as integrated theatrical elements:-
2008–2009: Britney Spears – The Circus Starring Britney Spears
As director, King orchestrated a circus-themed extravaganza featuring acrobatic dancers, oversized props, and narrative segments that transformed arenas into a big-top fantasy, revitalizing Spears' live presence amid her conservatorship and high-stakes production demands. The tour played 97 shows across North America and Europe, emphasizing theatrical spectacle over traditional concert formats.[16][1] -
2011: Rihanna – Loud Tour
Serving as creative director and choreographer, King infused the 98-date world tour with bold visual palettes of deep reds and blacks, synchronized choreography that highlighted Rihanna's dynamic stage command, and intimate audience interactions blended with high-tech lighting to reflect the album's themes of empowerment and sensuality. This production marked a shift toward more personal, color-driven aesthetics in pop touring.[17][4][1] -
2011: Britney Spears – Femme Fatale Tour
King directed this 79-show arena tour, incorporating era-spanning vignettes that depicted femme fatales from history—such as 1920s flappers and futuristic warriors—through precise group choreography and illusionary sets, creating a narrative arc that explored seduction and strength. The production's innovative costume transitions and laser effects underscored Spears' evolution as a performer.[4][1] -
2012: Madonna – MDNA Tour
As creative producer and director, King helmed the 88-show global trek supporting Madonna's MDNA album, integrating Kabuki-inspired theater, pole-dancing sequences, and multimedia projections for a dark, confessional narrative that delved into personal turmoil and redemption. The tour's elaborate staging, including a descending cross and marching band elements, grossed $305.2 million, cementing its status as one of the highest-earning productions of the year.[1][18]
