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Shane SparksHollywood hip-hop choreographer
Date of Birth: 25.06.1969
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Shane Sparks
Shane Sparks, a Hollywood hip-hop choreographer, was born on June 25, 1969, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up in a family of police officers, with two older sisters named Rene and Buffy. Despite being born with a congenital scoliosis, Shane developed a passion for dance at a young age. At the age of 11, he attended an Easter ball where he witnessed a mesmerizing dance performance that inspired him to learn how to dance.
Shane began honing his dancing skills by rehearsing in his backyard and performing at school talent shows. Dancing became an escape for him after the tragic death of his sister's friend, as it provided him a way to hide from reality and feel safe. He drew inspiration from legendary choreographers such as Fred Astaire, Bob Fosse, Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Bruno Falcon, shaping his own unique style.
Early Career
In 1987, Shane graduated from Aiken Senior High School and moved to Los Angeles in 1993 at the age of 24, in pursuit of a career in show business. He joined a dance group called 'Cold Krush,' named after the New York-based group, and performed on talent shows. Eventually, the group evolved into 'Cold Premiere' with the addition of vocalists. They signed with 'Giant Records,' made a movie, and shot several music videos, but unexpectedly disbanded.
During this time, Shane also appeared in Brandy Norwood's music video for 'I Wanna Be Down.' He continued his dance training at the 'Millennium Dance Complex' in North Hollywood. One fateful day, when the hip-hop dance teacher was late for class, Shane was mistaken for the instructor and invited to teach the class. Despite having no prior choreography experience, this incident changed his life.
Within weeks, the real dance teacher left for Japan, leaving Shane in charge. Under his guidance, the class grew from three to ten members, and eventually became the largest dance class in Los Angeles, with over 175 students. Shane's talent and reputation as a choreographer started to attract attention, leading to invitations to work with artists such as Lindsay Lohan, Aaliyah, Monica, and Benny Schwimmer.
Rise to Fame
In 2004, Shane achieved critical acclaim as the choreographer for the dance drama film 'You Got Served,' which focused on non-professional dancers participating in street dance battles. He also served as a judge at the World Hip-Hop Championship. Shane's success continued to grow, and he signed a contract with the cosmetic company 'L'Oréal.'
Shane released three instructional hip-hop dance DVDs, which gained immense popularity among dance enthusiasts. He found further success as a judge and choreographer on the dance competition show 'So You Think You Can Dance,' which premiered in 2005 in the United States. Thousands of contestants compete for a spot in the finals, where only 20 individuals, 10 males, and 10 females, make it through. They showcase their skills in various dance styles, including waltz, rumba, salsa, pop, disco, and modern.
Controversies
In December 2009, Shane was arrested on charges of molesting a minor. The alleged victim accused him of sexual misconduct that occurred fifteen years prior when she was a teenager. Shane was released on a $590,000 bail, and his lawyer is confident that his client's reputation remains untarnished, suggesting that the accuser is looking for financial gain due to Shane's wealth and fame.
Despite the controversies, Shane Sparks' contributions to the world of dance and hip-hop choreography remain significant. He has left an indelible mark with his innovative dance moves, inspiring countless aspiring dancers around the world.
