If you've ever turned on a music video and been wow-ed by what you've seen, you may have a Kentuckiana man to thank.
Lavelle Smith grew up in Louisville and went on to work as a choreographer in LA, Las Vegas, and London.
While he continues working worldwide, he's danced back home! Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Beyonce, the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart; they are some of the biggest names in pop music ever and a manfrom Louisville has danced with them all.
"I didn't know I could choreograph. I had no idea. I just liked to dance. It just happened, organically. It wasn't a plan. It just happened and i was ready for it," said Smith.
Lavelle choreographed with Michael Jackson the longest, 23 years, until his death. He had an audition for smooth criminal and I got it and that's how it all got started.
Clearly, Lavelle has talent, creating dance routines for music videos, world tours, and even winning video music awards but can this internationally acclaimed choreographer teach a news reporter to dance?
Smith spent some time with WHAS11’s Chase Cain trying to get down a dance mastered only by the King of Pop.
Smith showed Chase all 5 of his VMA’s including one for Best Choreography for Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” video. Even though a magazine credits Lavelle for Beyonce's "booty," some things he won't always show off like his big projects in the works which are secrets for now.
"You know, me and Beyonce talked. I'm sure I’ll work with her again," said Smith.
He is talented enough to still be working after a quarter century in the biz and, yes, even talented enough to teach WHAS11’s Chase Cain which was nowhere nearly as remarkable as all Lavelle has accomplished and from such humble beginnings dancing in Louisville.
As for Lavelle, he can't yet talk about some of the big projects he's working on but he says to keep your eyes peeled on the TV and in music videos in the coming months and you might just see him.
