Interviewed exclusively by Biagio D’Anelli.
Dean Lee is a London based Choreographer/ Creative with over a decade of experience in the Entertainment & Arts Industry.
Lee trained as a professional Dancer at the prestigious Urdang Academy in the heart of central London, attending on a full Scholarship. Upon graduating from the academy, his professional dance career begun when he was hand-picked to work with the Bolshoi Ballet in their London residency for their world famous Ballet, La Bayadere.
From here, he went on to work with some of the world’s most prestigious music artists, the biggest TV shows and the most electrifying Live Tours. His work can be found across the entire spectrum of the arts, Film, Television, Theatre, Music, Live Tours & Fashion. He’s worked with Artists including Janet Jackson, Kylie Minogue, Chaka Khan, The Jacksons, Little Mix, Shoshana Bean, Leona Lewis, Take That, Beth Ditto, The Gossip, Gloria Gaynor, Sister Sledge & The Pussycat Dolls – where he choreographed their iconic reunion performance at the end of 2019.
His Television work includes some of the top evening entertainment shows: The X-Factor (London & U.S.A), Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Strictly Come Dancing, The Royal Variety Show, The Masked Singer, So You Think You Can Dance (London & Poland) and The Greatest Dancer 2020. He has collaborated with several high end fashion houses including; Dolce & Gabbana, Versace with Donatella Versace, John Paul Gaultier and most recently the world renowned Philip Treacy. Dean is a fresh & relevant creative, constantly delivering work of the highest standards, with an eye for perfect.
Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Dean Lee: choreographer, dancer, showman did I forget something?!?
No, I think you got it all, although your words are very kind, and I have to say the showman part is a new adjustment. Maybe you could add avid reader and musical theatre enthusiast.
Our readers are wondering what is the formula to achieve worldwide success?!? given that you have worked together with the biggest stars on the planet? like Janet Jackson, Kylie Minogue, EVE, Chaka Khan, The Jacksons, The Pussycat Dolls, Shania Twain, Little Mix, Shoshana Bean, Leona Lewis, Take That, Beth Ditto, The Gossip, Gloria Gaynor, Sister Sledge & More…..
This is a great question, my initial thought is I don’t know if I know the formula for success, I mean sure there are definitely things one can do to get themselves out there, to be seen etc, especially in our modern day world. But I think when it comes to myself I think about the path my career has taken and it hasn’t always been easy but it’s fair to say there’s a few things that have allowed me to be as fortunate as I have been. I find being in the entertainment world requires a certain level of sacrifice, the passion for what you do has to run very deep and be strong enough to outweigh the days you feel like giving it all up. Never underestimate what old fashioned hard work can do for you and where it can take you. And lastly, I believe being a good person, a valuable, reliable & good intentioned person can put you in rooms with longevity.
What advice do you feel you can give to young people who would like to pursue a career as a dancer and choreographer?
Someone once said to me, ‘at some point the job of a lifetime is going to come along, and baby when it does, you’re gonna want to be ready.’ That never left me, and she was absolutely right, and that single piece of advice has always encouraged me to be the best I can be. So I say that to say, if you’re gonna be a dancer be as versatile as possible, do your research study the greats, be a knowledgeable well rounded dance artist, don’t be afraid to be yourself, know that by being yourself carries such a unique power, being yourself and simultaneously being as great as you can be will make people want to find a place for you. When it comes to choreography, find your voice and style, explore movement, find out what you don’t like. Understand that being a choreographer is also about how you are with people, how you make them feel and the environment in which you create. There’s no right and wrong it’s just opinion, so if you love what you’re creating that’s all that matters.
We know that now after America you will tour Europe with Janet Jackson’s “Togheter Again” tour are you happy to go home?!? and what effect it has on you working and creating choreography with an iconic artist like her?!?
I think it’s always nice to go home after being away for so long to have some familiarity. I think the wonderful thing about going home this time is I was going home in a way I didn’t expect to be which was being on stage and performing again. ⁃ Honestly it’s quite hard to explain to people how it is working with / for Janet. Frstly it’s an honour to be in such close proximity to someone who has inspired one self for so long, to be able to create to music I love inside and out really is a gift. The effect it has on you is like having magic rub off on you, it makes you strive to be your best self, create your best work because you’re dealing with someone who is a true legendary icon, she is music royalty and you have no choice but to treat that job with the upmost respect and care. I feel extremely fortunate and grateful that I’ve been allowed to do it for this long. She is simply a wonderful person who I’m so glad I can call a friend. We work very hard in the studio but we do it whilst having fun and a good time.
Would you like to work and arrive with a show in our Italy?!?
Are you kidding me, I LOVE Italy, I wish we got to performing in Italy, hopefully in the future. I haven’t been there in so long, I love the people and my most favourite food of all time.
Do you already have future plans?!? if so, would you like to talk to us about it?!?
I have some exciting projects I’m working on over 2025, and right now things I’m able to fit in in-between my shows with Janet which I’m so grateful that things align that way. I couldn’t be more excited to announce that I’m diving into a brand-new, Broadway-bound musical based on a wildly successful novel that reveals the origin story behind one of literature’s most iconic works. I’m working alongside the incredible Russell & Glover, acclaimed creative minds recently featured in Rolling Stone. Together, we’re bringing fresh, bold voices to the stage with a vision to redefine and diversify Broadway, expanding what’s possible in musical theatre. This project is an absolute passion for me entering into Broadway, and I can’t wait to share it with the world!
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