White Icons Who Inspired The Greatest Dance Moves of Michael Jackson and Other Black Legends
Look, we know the narrative: Black entertainers set the trends, everybody else follows. And while there’s plenty of truth to that, influence has never been a one-way street. The truth is, some of our biggest Black icons in music and entertainment—from Beyoncé and Michael Jackson to Prince—spent years studying legendary performers who came before them, borrowing techniques, stagecraft, and signature moves before putting their own unmistakable spin on them. The twist? Many of those entertainers were white performers whose talent, innovation, and showmanship were impossible to ignore.
From Hollywood dance legends to vaudeville-era trailblazers, these performers left a lasting mark on some of our biggest stars. Here are the white entertainers who helped inspire the icons we know and love today.
Bob Fosse & Michael Jackson
Now we often hear about Michael Jackson’s love for James Brown, but to deny his love for Broadway phenom, choreographer and filmmaker Bob Fosse is truly a miss. From the isolated body movement, sensual motions, and shoulder rolls, Fosse was a major inspiration to Jackson. And the evidence is blinding.
Fosse Dancing as the Snake, “The Little Prince” (1974)
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michael jackson el imitador mas exitoso The Little Prince (1974) – Bob Fosse Scene
In the Tiktok clip above, Fosse is seen dancing as the snake in “The Little Prince.” Any eye can see the similarities are striking, as Jackson performs Billie Jean—early hints to a style that will later become the “moonwalk.” The suit? The socks? Mike didn’t miss a beat.
Gwen Verdon & Beyoncé
Now, it’s rare to hear Beyoncé compare her superstardom to any other entertainer. But when it comes to legendary Broadway dancer Gwen Verdon—wife of Bob Fosse—even Queen Bey has given the iconic performer her flowers. Inspired by Verdon’s synchronized 1969 jazz routine in “Mexican Breakfast,” Beyoncé channeled that same artistry, and theatricality in what would become one of her most iconic hits, “Single Ladies.”
Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” Music Video
Denying these similarities would be a stretch. The comparison clip above shows just how much Beyoncé drew from Gwen Verdon’s “Mexican Breakfast” performance from “The Ed Sullivan Show.” “Single Ladies” echoes the same three-woman formation, with synchronized movement, sharp hip work, speedy transitions, and tightly choreographed combinations.
Beyonce Speaks Openly About “Mexican Breakfast” Inspo
Beyoncé has also spoken about discovering Gwen Verdon’s “Mexican Breakfast” performance on YouTube and using the visual reference while developing the choreography to “Single Ladies.” In a throwback interview on “106 & Park,” she recalled studying the routine, and recording the music video over the course of 12 hours. Despite the intensity of the process, she described the project as “fulfilling in the end.”
Fred Astaire & Michael Jackson
Let me find out the “Smooth Criminal” Michael Jackson was talking about was actually Fred Astaire. With a career spanning more than 70 years, Astaire’s signature style in his “Girl Hunt Ballet” sequence from the 1953 film The Band Wagon is woven throughout MJ’s iconic short film for “Smooth Criminal.”
Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” Comparison
As you can see, from the crisp white suit, blue backdrop, the tilted fedora—and even the dance-inspired ass whoopings—the resemblance between these two projects are hard to ignore. That said, Jackson admitted to studying Astaire’s films to master his style and control, and in return Astaire later praised MJ’s legendary Motown 25 performance, dubbing him a “hell of a mover.”
Sweet Charity & Beyoncé
Beyoncé knew what she was doing when she pulled from the classic musical comedy “Sweet Charity.” These dance numbers went down in history for style and taste, as the musical follows the messy love life of Charity Hope Valentine, an unlucky yet glamorous taxi dancer in the 1960s. Bob Fosse was also behind the direction and choreography for “Sweet Charity,” marking his Broadway directorial debut in 1966.
Comparing Beyoncé’s “Get Me Bodied” Music Video to “Sweet Chariot”
A promotional image from the stylish, avant-garde “Rich Man’s Frug” dance sequence in the 1969 film version led to the singer’s head-turning music video for “Get Me Bodied” back in 2006. The comparison clips reflect those rigid, statue-like postures, sudden shoulder pops, and sequential head rolls directly up against Beyoncé’s retro party sequence in the “Get Me Bodied” music video.
Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker & Beyoncé
Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker (born 1960) is a renowned Belgian contemporary dance choreographer known for her feminine geometric movements and sharp choreography, a well-known figure in European dance stemming back to the 1980s. It seems Bey was smitten with the art in her 1983 contemporary stage piece Rosas danst Rosas, which later inspired her music video for the single, “Countdown.”
Comparing “Countdown” to Rosas danst Rosas
Illustrating the identical school chair spins, head snaps, and hair-tugging moves, Beyoncé is seen in a room with a checkered floor dancing on wooden chairs, stylized with a similar dance number, similar ensembles and hairstyles. That said, when the choreographer saw even young school girls taking their shot at her style, she said it might be time to “give it away,” as stated in the clip.
Joni Mitchell & Prince
There’s no shame in his game. Prince unapologetically admitted to his lifelong musical obsession with Joni Mitchell. The Canadian-American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist emerged from 1960s folk, known for her poetic lyrics and alt-acoustic guitar tunings. While Mitchell was celebrated as one of the most influential of the 20th century, nobody loved her more than Prince.
Mitchell on Prince
In the clip above, Mitchell reflects on the time Prince sent her a song with the lyrics, “You are my emotional pump/you make my body jump,” to express his appreciation for her. While the icon is celebrated for his deeply Black funk roots, Prince obsessively studied Mitchell’s eccentric jazz chords and theatrical stage phrasing, kept her photo on his wall at Paisley Park, and frequently covered her music live.
West Side Story & Michael Jackson
“West Side Story” cooked up the sharp, finger-snapping street gang face-offs folks loved to see, especially when it came to the “Jets Vs. the Sharks” scene. Choreographed by Jerome Robbins, these clips would inspire more than just musicals. Enter Michael Jackson’s “Bad,” and “Beat It.”
Comparing “West Side Story” and “Beat It”
MJ’s short films for “Bad” and “Beat It” had a style strikingly similar to Robbins’ “West Side Story,” including territory standoffs through the tension of rival gangs, resolving conflict through synchronized jazz dancing, and the cinematic thrill that something was about to go down in the neighborhood. When it comes to bad guys and good pirouettes, MJ had it on lock thanks to Robbins.
Gene Kelly’s “Singin’ in the Rain” in Pop Culture
Gene Kelly’s iconic “Singin’ in the Rain” went on to inspire dynamic, street-inspired sequences that later became a staple in pop culture. When Kelly vigorously twirled his umbrella in a high-energy dance sequence, smitten in love, our R&B icons looked at the performance and said, “hold my drink.”
“You Got It Bad” and Others, Inspired by Gene Kelly
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Mind you, singing and dancing in the rain even became somewhat of a staple in Black music culture. We won’t forget when Usher twirled in the rain in the music video, “You Got It Bad.” But the mess didn’t stop there. “On Bended Knee” by Boyz II Men, Ray J’s “One Wish,” and others followed suit, in addition to hip hop movie scenes in “You Got Served” and “Step Up.”
