Just Naturally Is Wade Robson

Remember that cute white kid who could groove really well in Michael Jackson’s Black or White music video back in the 80s? He got you spellbound with his talent. Well, that little kid has blossomed into a handsome young man.
Wade started giving dance lessons at age 12.Lounging comfortably on a sofa, Wade Jeremy Robson’s cheeks are flushed from the tropical heat and he looks older than 24. But, when he speaks, his maturity is striking. You can tell he’s been around the block and achieved much.
“I danced before I walked, so movements are a huge part of me. I saw Michael Jackson’s Thriller music video when I was two and I copied all his moves. So, you could say he was my initial inspiration,” he tells StarWeekend in an exclusive interview.
The King of Pop himself invited Robson to perform with him on many occasions. Robson was five then! He went on to appear in Jackson’s Heal the World and Jam music videos. As to how he acquired his dance skills, Robson is equally perplexed, especially since he never took formal classes.
“My grandma was a line dancer but I just found that out. Aside from her, no one in my family danced or influenced me. I must have been a natural,” he reveals.
Born in Brisbane, Australia, Robson was already a member of a dance company as its specialty act when he was five. He did “his stuff” while the other professional dancers synchronised their steps with his moves. Basically, he choreographed and others followed.
Robson’s mum saw her youngest son’s potential. She moved to Los Angeles with him, then nine, and his sister Chantal. Like most emigrants, they wanted to pursue the American dream. His dad and older brother stayed Down Under. In LA, Robson developed his own act, which came to be known as hip hop.
He says, “I like the freedom hip hop offers. I don’t like to be told what to do or how to move.”
At 12, Robson had enough of performing and wanted to impart his skills. He began teaching dance at the Millennium Dance Complex in north Hollywood and became its biggest draw – a “rockstar” teacher. Students loved his new style, which was accompanied by original music.
Word got around about this boy wonder and before long, choreography offers poured in. You’ve probably seen his work at some point – he has choreographed for Britney Spears, NSYNC, Justin Timberlake, Mya, Pink and a host of other celebrities. He also directed and choreographed Spears’ Pepsi commercial when he was only 16. His career simply skyrocketed.
It takes him anywhere from one day to four days to complete a piece, depending on the concept. “For a regular class, my inspiration may come from the music and I’ll start moving. When it comes to full pieces, I like to have a blueprint to work on, then I let the music dictate. I love being able to create a concept and execute it,” he says.

Following the format of MTV’s The Wade Robson Project, contestants had to dance and Robson would give his comments (“I’m a nice guy, I’m not Simon Cowell”). Then Robson showed some dance moves, throwing terms like b-boy moves, popping ‘n’ locking. Finalists had to imitate his steps, using their own style.

There are two kinds of entertainers, Robson says. Those who are taught to be entertainers and can sometimes appear “over the top”; and those who exude passion, which is reflected in their movements.
He smiles coyly, “I hope I have a combination of both! When you have passion, you might have to wear your heart on your sleeve but your feelings come out in the dance.”
Robson feels the younger generation nowadays are not as consistent and are unwilling to explore different styles. He advises them to broaden their horizons and seek out new things. He formed his style from watching videos of Bob Fosse, the Nicholas Brothers, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.
“My style has evolved. I don’t know what to call it now. It’s an eclectic mix – a bit of hip hop mixed with theatre, Fosse and jazz. But I’m a perfectionist and am very critical of what I do. I always bash myself up. It’s never good enough . . . until I found love,” he suddenly beams, gazing lovingly at his Hawaiian wife Amanda, who is seated across.
Clearly, he is in awe of his lady (he calls her “my semi-Asian wife”) whom he met at a club a few years ago. The couple tied the knot last year.
He continues, “Love defined things for me. I got a life and took the spiritual road. I realised that it’s all part of the process. Amanda is my biggest critic. She knows me so well and if she thinks it’s not me, I then change the dance steps.”
Amanda designs all the costumes for Robson’s projects.
Like most young kids, Robson dreamt of being a superstar.
“Yeah, sure, I wanted to go down that path but after MTV, I didn’t want that fame anymore. I wasn’t sure if it was about me, the face, or it was about my work. I didn’t like that life – it was too artificial and I felt my work wasn’t being recognised. Here (Asia), people appreciate my work more and that’s encouraging.”
When the MTV series started, Robson was hounded by the paparazzi. That frightened him so after the season ended, he “disappeared” for two years to do other things. The series was subsequently discontinued.
He explains, “It was a mutual thing. They (MTV) didn’t want to continue and I wanted to move on to directing and choreographing so it ended well.”
Robson finds immense satisfaction in telling stories with his movements so he’s now developing an independent feature film on dance. He has also signed a three-picture deal with Disney as a director cum choreographer.
Does he have a signature move?
“No, I don’t want to leave a move that people can associate with. That would mean I only stayed with one thing and never explored beyond. I want others to think of me as someone who always wanted to explore and inspire people. That would be the legacy I’d leave behind,” he articulates.
Asked how his parents feel about his success, Robson shoots Amanda a glance as if seeking her approval.
“I went through a period . . .” he pauses. “They’re proud. Yeah, I think they’re proud. Life’s been a blessing so far but it’s just the beginning.” W.R.