Wade Robson Biography

Super choreographer, director, producer, Wade Jeremy William Robson - or simply, Wade, to friends and family - was born the youngest of three children to Lynnette Joy Robson, and (the late) Dennis Leslie Robson on September 17, 1982 in Brisbane, Australia. Even as a young tot growing up, Wade had a sense that a path leading to a career in the entertainment world was already being mapped out before him. He was dancing just as soon as he figured out how to use his legs; had mastered the moves of the legendary music video, " Thriller ", before he even knew what the word ' prodigy ' meant, and after having won the top prize in a Michael Jackson dance alike contest in his native Australia at the tender age of 5, his life and his destiny soon changed forever. " I want to be a star and make everybody happy while I'm doing it " he once said prophetically. Wade Robson has done exactly just that.
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At age 9, a calculated move to Los Angeles with his mother, Joy, sister, Chantal (a professional dancer), and only six suitcases in tow would prove to be the launching pad for an unforgettable career ahead. There, Wade reunited with his idol and mentor, the King of Pop, and soon appeared alongside the thriller himself in three hit music videos: "Jam ", " Heal the World," and " Black or White ". While forging on with various dancing gigs and appearances, Wade got discovered once again for a talent that went previously unrecognized: rapping and singing. He was signed onto a recording deal with Michael Jackson's own MJJ label as one half of the [short lived] rap duo, "QUO" and traveled for 2 years. Left somewhat unenthusiastic by that experience, Wade decided to focus his energies in other arenas instead.

He dabbled in acting - enjoying small roles in television shows (Full House, Picket Fences, Pacific Blue) and feature films (Kazaam, EdTV) - continued perfecting his skills at music writing and song production (he produced a song for the soundtrack to Kazaam with Shaquille O'Neal called "We Genie") and started leaning towards
choreography. Already an established professional dancer, he began substituting as an instructor at North Hollywood's famous dance studio, Millenium Dance Complex (formerly Moro Landis), teaching professional level, hip-hop dance classes; he was only 12 years old! Robson not only taught with an impressive style that was both fresh and vibrant, but even played his very own masterfully produced and remixed music in his classes. The escalating demand and ever-growing popularity of his classes came with unending requests for him to teach regularly. It wasn't long before Wade scored a spot on the studio's teaching faculty and taught his own classes three times a week. He also joined the faculty at the prestigious Tremaine Dance Studios and traveled nationwide teaching at their many dance conventions. On occasion, he could also be found teaching classes at L.A.'s The Edge Performing Arts Center. Word began spreading like wildfire about the young "dance whiz" from the valley that once again, Wade was on the road to fame. Singers, and entertainers alike were all clamoring for a chance to work with him. In the years that followed, he has lent his talents to the [now defunct] pop group Immature, Youngstown, IMX, A-Teens, Mandy Moore, and Take 5 to name a few. He appeared in performances on The Kids' Choice Awards, the Academy Awards, and the 7th America's Teacher's Awards. He choreographed and danced in the hugely popular 'GAP' clothing campaign commercials, and was one of the "Meaty Cheesy Boys" in the Jack In the Box commercials. Years later in 2001, he choreographed a memorable,
ensemble performance featuring pop/r&b heavyweights, Pink, Usher, and Mya on MTV's Icon tribute to Janet Jackson.

In 1998, a chance meeting with pop princess, Britney Spears, at the age of 16 would forever cement Robson's place on the pop culture map. Spears, at the time, had been searching for a choreographer for an upcoming tour when the two were introduced by one of her back-up dancers - a mutual friend. Upon learning the dance prodigy's age, she freaked. "He's going to do my tour??!! "He can't! He's just a baby!" she said appallingly. But it didn't take much convincing to hire him shortly after witnessing the unspeakable genius of his work. " She gave me a chance to prove myself. After that, she wanted to use me for everything she did! " recalled the Australian native with a giggle. He has since become the creative force behind her famous career and stage shows - doing everything from choreographing her intricate dance moves, remixing the music, and directing video segments, down to planning costume designs, designing set details, and directing her tours ("Oops! I Did it Again" 2000, and "Dream Within A Dream" 2001). Off tour, he was busy choreographing and directing Spears' music videos, awards show appearances (he was one of her dancers in her 1999 MTV Video Music Awards performance), and was even credited with helping her shed her "squeaky clean, bubblegum pop image" which came evident with the [now] infamous "Oops! I Did it Again" performance at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards (causing quite a stir as she gyrated and pranced around onstage in a barely there, flesh-toned, sparkly pants suit) . He choreographed and danced in her first Pepsi commercial, and went on to co-direct, produce and even write the jingle for her second Pepsi Commercial which aired during the 2001 SuperBowl. Now an accomplished music producer and song-writer, he co-wrote and produced the track, "What It's Like To Be Me" for Britney's third self-titled cd. Later that year, Spears was dancing to the Robson choreographed and conceived,
jungle-inspired number, "Slave 4 U", at the MTV Video Music Awards, flanked by live cheetahs and a huge albino python on her shoulders. Though no longer involved with her concert tours and stage shows as of late, he remains a close friend and mentor.

Multi-platinum pop sensation, *NSYNC, soon began calling after being introduced by Spears (who once opened for the quintet on tour). It wasn't long until Robson brought the same brand of magic and dimension to their record -breaking sold-out tours and awards show performances as he had done previously with Spears. For their "No Strings Attached" tour in 2000, he single-handedly choreographed the routine for the title track, as well as "Space Cowboy". At the MTV Video Music Awards later that same year, he ingeniously choreographed, conceived, and re-mixed the music for *NSYNC's dynamite "Bye, Bye, Bye" and "It's Gonna Be Me" medley performance (each member's head masterfully concealed behind huge televsion sets, their bodies dancing rhythmically in place). In early 2001, he masterminded the half-time show performance at the year's Super Bowl which headlined both *NSYNC and Spears as performers; he was just 19 years old. Months later, he was now holding the reigns as tour director for *NSYNC's "POP Odyssey" stadium tour which played to sold-out crowds. (he created the concepts, choreographed, and directed the video segments seen throughout the concert). Coinciding with the tour came the release of *NSYNC's multi-platinum sellling cd, "Celebrity" (he co-wrote and produced 4 songs, including the Grammy-nominated song "Gone" ). While filming the group's music video for the smash hit, "Pop", *NSYNC member, Joey Fatone, sustained a leg injury and Robson was handpicked to replace him for the intricate dance sequences. " It was the guys' idea. At that point, we really had no choice; it just seemed like the logical thing to do at the time since I choreographed it and knew it well. Luckily, Joey and I had the same kind of look ", he said. Because of his close working relationship and friendship with the group over the years, Robson was
often referred to in jest as the "unofficial sixth member of *NSYNC". Even though the members of *NSYNC have since taken time off from recording to pursue solo careers, he still maintains a close friendship with them.

After tirelessly hitting the tour and choreography scene for years with two of pop music industry's biggest acts, Wade finally decided it was time to retire quietly from it all to focus more on his own work. He set out to find artists he could develop under his production company, "WAJERO Entertainment" (taken from his full name) in order to have greater creative control. He returned to the recording studio and began writing and producing songs for such artists as Christina Vidal (Taina/Nickelodeon fame), Justin Guarini (2002 American Idol runner up), and the pop girl group, "Dream". On occasion, he is known to work with singers Pink, Usher, and Mya. He conceived an idea to host and produce his very own hip-hop dance contest show for amateurs on MTV (which later became the eponymous "Wade Robson Project"), and landed a 3 - picture deal to direct a yet untitled original, musical feature film for Disney. He has even hinted at the possibility of releasing his very own cd sometime in the near future. Schedule permitting, he still manages to take time out to teach his famous master dance classes at the
Millenium Dance Complex.

Fast forward to the present day....Following the supremely successful run of his hit dance reality show last fall, "The Wade Robson Project," the 21-year old superstar multitasker shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. Rolling on like the well-oiled machine that he is, Robson was off running to tackle the next series of things on his mega busy schedule. He has since landed a lucrative deal with the Ralph Libonati Company to launch his very own dance footwear line, "Power Dance Shoes", and has signed on to endorse the new, "What's Next. Now" product line by U.S. Electronics. Reviving his early acting roots, he kicked off 2004 appearing in a small cameo role (playing himself) in the hit dance feature film, "You Got Served" (starring the now defunct pop quartet, B2K), which opened at # 1 at the box office this past January to
huge audiences. Not one to stray far from the recording studio for long, he once again flexed his song-writing/music producing muscle collaborating with legendary singing sensation, Carly Simon, and penned the song "So Many People To Love" (appearing on her forthcoming cd due out this year). "Wade's great! Not only did he produce the song, he even told me how much vibrato to use; I was digging it! He's like a garden with soil
that has just the right amount of ph to grow, " she said. On the heels of a much anticipated return to the music scene this year after a long hiatus, even the pop quintet, the Backstreet Boys, came calling. The group recently performed the song "Moving On" (appearing on their forthcoming cd due out later this year) at KIIS FM's Wango Tango concert in Los Angeles this past May - a song co-written/produced by Robson and Backstreet member, Howie Dorough.

With the glare of MTV's "The Wade Robson Project" spotlight behind him (which was not renewed for a second season), Wade Robson embarks this summer on his biggest project yet: directing his feature film. With such legendary icons as Gene Kelly, Bob Fosse, and director Steven Spielberg who he names as inspiration for his work, the budding young director simply had this to say: " I want to be this big time film director who brings back musicals to the big screen. " In spite of endorsement deals, studio
work, guest appearances, and directing, dance still remains a defining passion close to his heart. Countless invitations to teach at popular dance conventions and workshops across the nation (and even internationally) still continue to flood his office to this day. Most recently, Robson was named chairman of Dance Spirit Magazine's advisory board.

For a small town Brisbane boy with a dream, to Hollywood's premier choreographer, stage director, and music producer, Wade J. Robson has become a legend in his own right. Despite all his success, the dancing man gifted with poster pin-up good looks and a prodigious resume' still remains amazingly grounded. " I knew I had a talent; all I ever wanted to do was share it, " he said humbly. With all the achievements and cool job titles he holds, people still ask the all important question: just what is it exactly that
Wade Robson doesn't do? His answer is simple: " Sports....I'm not very good at sports, " he admits rather coyly. When asked about future plans, he simply replied with a bit of levity, " I want to find a hobby that isn't a job!...Seriously though, I feel blessed to do the job that I do everyday and want to continue it for as long as I can. For now though, I'm just out there having a real good time and loving every minute of it.

WADE ROBSON PICTURES

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WADE ROBSON BIOGRAPHY