The Icon Behind Shakira's Super Bowl Halftime Performance

If you’ve performed Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” routine at home in front of the mirror (and you know you have), it’s time you met the man behind these iconic moves. His name is JaQuel Knight, and he is a choreographer and image architect who works with superstars: Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, Jennifer Lopez… the list goes on. Knight’s visual stylings can turn a hit song into a pop culture phenomenon. One constant in Knight’s choreography? He makes a portion of each routine accessible, so we can all get up and dance.
Love dance? We’re stepping up for you in a big way. In our new series “Making Moves,” we’re putting the spotlight on some of the world’s most creative dancers and choreographers.
#JaQuelKnight #choreographer #dance
This story is a part of our Human Condition series. Come along and let us connect you to some of the most peculiar, stirring, extraordinary, and distinctive people in the world.
SUBSCRIBE: buff.ly/41yqVHF
Got a story idea for us? Shoot us an email at pitch [at] GreatBigStory [dot] com 📧
Get exclusive GBS items from our online store 🛒
👉 shop.greatbigs...
NOTIFICATIONS: Make sure you enable the 🔔 to get notified about our latest video publishes.
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: / greatbigstory
Follow us on Instagram: / greatbigstory
Check us out on TikTok: / greatbigstory
Join us on Snapchat: / 18450982-0867-49c9-b4a...
Follow us on Facebook: / greatbigstory
Give us a shout on Twitter: / greatbigstory
Sign up to our newsletter: greatbigstory....

[@VOLAIRE]

Only 11 years late but I'll take it!

[@hammydammy123]

MochaTocha EXACTLY

[@hammydammy123]

MochaTocha she’s becoming the new Justin Y

[@bbutler7158]

Wow! Like yeah! Surprised B didn't give credit earlier (if she did) ...I ASSUMED she designed those moves🤔...maybe thats why we weren't told????

[@samud7041]

I’ll take it too .. done 💕💕

[@BLACKKING-zr3ex]

I swear i was coming to state the obvious.

[@jollygreen4662]

This guy is TALENT, who makes other people talented

[@CinemaStix]

Freakin’ love this channel. I learn stuff I didn’t even know I cared about.

[@kymberlyp4056]

Same here. 💙

[@aminamelancon5640]

This choreography was taken almost exactly from a Bob Fosse piece called Mexican Breakfast. Look it up. This guy never once mentioned that in the video.

[@kymberlyp4056]

Amina Melancon ~ Ummmm... That may be true, however, we were commenting on the channel and it’s content.😁

[@musix2009]

Kymberly P lol thank you..sheesh it’s ALWAYS somebody 🙄🙄🙄

[@coronavirus5738]

And I thought the dancers on music videos came up with their own moves and turns out it this guy...he is damn good too💞

[@ChikadibiaO]

His moves are just so fluid.

[@Qu33n]

He's the iconic, cultural choreographer behind SINGLE LADIES!?!? He is a staple in Black American culture!!!

[@truthhurts6459]

Bob fosse boo. Thats the bulk of the choreography

[@Churros1616]

Truth Hurts bob fosse came up with the one take dance video, but the choreography is totally different.

[@FrancinaB13]

....I'm surprised you all didn't see the video of the 3 old white ladies that those dance moves were taken from!! The video was floating around for a while and was snatched from social media ... I wonder who was behind that move, smh! Type in some keys words and u should be able to find their performance. It's about 40+ years old and 90% of the moves came from those women!! It's a shame he lied like that, SMH!

[@Qu33n]

JaQuel mentioned nothing about being the originator. Are we listening to the same interview? And the comment said he was behind the choreography for it. That isn't saying anything but that. Folks dissected SL In excess during its peak and yes we all heard about the inspirations for it.

[@tiabia8839]

FrancinaB13 ok I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed that as well.

[@clippygoat]

Damn, didn’t know James Harden is an innovative dancer...

[@dashin110]

Clippygoat Dancing to The 3pt to swish it in

[@vinny4149]

More like "Stupid Lady Dance"

[@cjayloco3240]

Whahahahahha

[@shakyelarnold7392]

I’m screaming 😂😂😂😂

[@roshaunwiley]

🤣

[@yataspencer9522]

I LOVE seeing black people doing what they love WITH PASSION! That’s what separates the players in the game!

[@markerollmagbanua1313]

Is this where they shot "Love on Top" and "Countdown"?

[@ronyramdan]

I believe it is...

[@missm472]

Good observation

[@modjo5284]

Seems like it really is! The corner... 👌

[@beatrice2305]

Hi it's future

[@blythtism]

Okay but where can I sign up to be his friend-

[@roseaddo6103]

editwithjay ikr

[@sweettoothmarie7304]

😅 i know...

[@angelmartin6403]

editwithjay ok 🙋🏾‍♀️I’m your +1...💪🏾🙏🏾😂

[@GoddessLuna9]

Me too 😂🤣

[@isaiahmorton662]

editwithjay yes Jaquel is my cousin

[@FourWomen]

This guy grew up and danced with my daughter. He is truly a nice, humble and talented individual. So proud to see him have grown into the icon we knew he would become. You go Jaquell!

[@liquidcane3745]

I never can watch video's like this all the way thru but his personality won me over.

[@vetmom79]

Oh, when he said legends he meant legends...

[@DJBlend21]

I like that even when doing female moves he is still masculine...

[@DJBlend21]

@Shandra9000mail lol he certainly looks way more masculine than most guys I've seen doing a Beyonce routine. I dislike feminine men... It's too unnatural IMO.

[@DJBlend21]

@Shandra9000mail I'm weak!!!!! 😩😂 I like to give people the benefit of the doubt until I have empirical evidence but if you say he's a sugar stick, gone 'head girl.

[@Isaac-mz6gx]

@@DJBlend21 why do you hate femmine man? You say its unnatural like guys are only supposed to be one way, mmm ok

[@amcra1]

DJBlend21 where? He flamboyant as hell

[@kissit012]

Doesn't really have much of a choice, men have boxy bone structures that restricts certain movements.

[@FlexNFly]

A legend in the choreography world! Such a kind guy too!

[@OgolordIntl]

Beyonce brought life to the moves🔥❤

[@truthhurts6459]

It needed to die

[@JEM1989]

I LOVED lemon and the choreography is amazing. THis guy is GREAT

[@TheSmartShutter]

I belong to CRD(comment reading dept)😂

[@fabio78]

The Smart Shutter wow so funny

[@TiVo2Go]

*So when you say Taylor copied Beyonce, it was Beyonces choreographer teaching similar moves to another client.*

[@tinachristine4573]

She should not be a lazy artist who accepts recycled moves. The ultimate responsibility rests with her to seek out ORIGINALITY.

[@moviediva]

@@tinachristine4573 well he copied from Bob Fosse , so who's lazy... everything old is new again

[@cincybest]

@@moviediva Right and Gwen Verdon.

[@JCole-fg3rr]

TiVo2Go he didn’t work with Taylor lol

[@angelofdeath275]

in the end they dont care because it sells tabloids

[@godmadesam]

That man is paid! He’s gifted!

[@charlottecarlos6296]

Oh, please.

[@ashturk]

That’s a pretty damn fine list. You’re amazing. Respecttt

[@ayeshan7499]

I wish I could look that good while jamming to music

[@potatomatop9326]

I'm a dude and i dance to ddu du ddu du when i'm high and drunk af. Sometimes even bboom bboom.

[@simonpeterdebbarma]

TT for me

[@megha5176]

Yess

[@sugarbear8316]

potatomato :p dude i see u everywhere lol 😝

[@kijetesantakaluSokete]

lmaoooooo

[@toeysiri3822]

What a keeper

[@user-ot6em3yt4k]

Loving the talent GOD BLESS EVERYONE AND LONG TERM SUCCESS

[@SheillaOlga]

Damn he is so talented... the money comes eventually

[@charlottecarlos6296]

Wish some of that money would go to Teachers. People that really make a difference.

[@gabergabe223]

Bob Fosse basically did all the single ladies choreography.

[@MNeathway]

He’s a huge Fosse fan and has acknowledged the influence numerous times

[@gabergabe223]

Meghan Neathway cool. I feel the producers of this piece should’ve acknowledged that

[@MNeathway]

gaber gabe In these 6-minute “Great Big Story” pieces covering several topics there’s a lot that gets missed

[@eaqua56]

Pretty much

[@nielsenmakaba5777]

Inspired it because Fosse never did any J-setting

[@GuyAye]

Are we going to act like Bob Fosse choreography wasn’t inspired by black groups of the time? I get the title but this video includes many artist.

[@mon6745]

He's so amazing! Glad you profiled him!

[@aeonflux_504]

I love this guy! I saw a documentary about the story behind Beyonce's tour and they showed a segment with him and I was like yes, body it baby!! He said that it takes a special person to get Bey right with her moves and that she's picky too so I'm glad she chose JaQuel! I'm enjoying this segment with Great Big Story!! This channel is always surprising me!

[@simplysunni9796]

It is a shame that these artists do not recognize the choreographers in interviews more often. It should be mandatory! Especially the viral choreography! Before this video I finally found a video on the choreographer for Normani’s Motivation video.

[@A7Xistheshitz]

This man has an incredible talent for visuals 👏 🙌

[@ladym2398]

I was out and watched a group of women dance through the entire song. I so enjoyed it!💚

[@poweroffriendship2.0]

*_Before Thanos got the Infinity Gauntlet, Beyonce did it first and he doesn't feel so good..._*

[@beatsbykana]

Love it when people like this get some shine

[@ChelseaNeKole93]

I've honestly been learning his choreography for years now, learning single ladies when I was 14 was so hard for me at first but now I can catch on just by watching lol I would love to take a class of his to see if I can do the same learning in person but "Everybody Mad Dance" tried to kill me several times learning it 🤣🤣

[@JustoOntarioOfficial]

Awesome video!

[@keelhe893]

This guy has amazing vision.... he definitely does more than choreography

[@ajisenramen888]

I want to be his friend. He seems to enjoy life and a real fun guy 😂

[@teslermendelovitch]

So talented, blew my mind

[@aldrickespinosa2187]

u sure that aint khalid?

[@morkovija]

Out of all dancing videos - this one was the best so far

[@nanapearlpearl2696]

When he dance it don't look all that extra but when the artist do it it brings life!!!

[@CurvyThickFitTV]

One of my fave choreographers! Also love me some Chris Grant!

[@EbonyBomani]

Super cool to watch!!!

[@fastbowler]

Don't "tease" the headline with "Single Ladies", you should have just said Beyonce, or perhaps the just as iconic "Formation". Because the ICON behind "Single Ladies" is actually the Bob Fosse inspiration for the choreography and inspiration.

[@derricknregina]

Fastbowler if Bob Fosse wasn't the choreographer for Single Ladies then he is not the man behind that video.

[@whatzittooyah]

Derrick he’s the man behind the dances. 95% of those dances and the one take video is bob fosse. Don’t start

[@fastbowler]

@@whatzittooyah Just suggesting a less clickbait title! Derrick is a great choreographer, and not just for Single Ladies.

[@mymatemartin]

JaQuel started a movement

[@theoldschooldiva374]

Awesome choreographer, businessman, AND person 😊🙏🏿

[@lastlaugh2023]

yassss....the 🍋 lemon dance was my sh$T😁

[@7inches442]

He is my idol of choreographer and dancer, i would like to learn and take his class once...

[@JasmineBester]

Super talented guy

[@thelasonj]

wonderful wonderful wonderful Black man dancing! 🖤❤🖤😊

[@notconvincedgranny6573]

You're great, and most of Single Ladies came from a Gwen Verdon dance sequence choreographed by Bob Fosse way back in the day, and Bey said so.

[@scarlettjohanssonsalterego2258]

.....no!

[@olaibunkun7902]

70 percent of singles ladies is original.

[@nielsenmakaba5777]

WRONG...the majority of the 8 counts were ORIGINAL and weren't in the Gwen Verdon sequence at all from the J-SETTING, HIP GRINDING, LEOMY swishes, the entire chorus count and many more.....

[@jscsassy]

Bob Fosse, I just saved you 6:25.

[@RS-jh2kl]

Dude is talented...put some Respeck on his name!

[@coronavirus5738]

I love this man😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@missymillie]

All the way yes for this feature👏👏👏🔥💯

[@igotyourback9175]

Of course it's a gay black man behind such cultural and iconic brilliance!

[@WeloveJavar]

I Got Your Back indeed!! I just said this...but in everyday life black women tear gay black men apart.

[@rogers5622]

Yessss! Fellow dancer ❤️Very talented

[@ticiao]

Love good dancing. Get it!

[@AntoniioH]

Me waiting for him to talk about Shakira 💀

[@liridonsokoli4445]

beautiful soul just doing what he does best and making people happy 😉 all u hates should try it ✌🏻🤘🏻

[@atthismoment3006]

see people All your favorite artist are contrived- we are watching this man dance- these are his moves it makes you feel some kinda way-

[@LY43537]

Thank you for sharing your memories and talent and joy with us.

[@onlyplayaseattacoswiththei9433]

That lemon dance is fly as shit 😂💯

[@lita-styles]

Thank you for youuuuuu What magic you bring 💖💖💖💖🥂

[@angeliquecook-hayes7605]

Very cool story!!☺☺☺

[@justusing6192]

Everytime I see a sick choreography I find out he was behind the scenes of it...like no shit

[@danielforehand4851]

Wow.. I went to elementary school (Smokerise) middle school (Henderson) and Tucker High school with him. At the fall festival in like 4th grade we ran into each other, he put Will Smith's getting jiggy with it on this list will you could put on a song on and it would play. I bought that album and music changed my life. Will Smith.. now I play more death metal. IDK.. great memory. Much love and respect, Happy for him!

[@WonderfullyMadeLex]

FIRE!

[@okiemariley9540]

This is so beautiful. I so enjoyed watching this thank you for sharing your talent is all. Beautiful ❤️ beautiful Man. (SUPERMAN.) 🔥

[@Lovelydia-pt1cj]

He’s incredible

[@RootedOverseas]

JQK YOUR AWSOME!

[@sandorkocso1798]

allll the respect!!!

[@jiselamartel4580]

iconic

[@katherine1121]

MISTER JAQUEL SIR, YOU ARE MY HERO

[@patriciazambrano3936]

Your amazing!!

[@candicane8678]

You had me at Beyonce❤❤❤❤❤

[@MoonLightOnWater1]

OMG! So much fun!

[@patriciazambrano3936]

Let me correct myself. As in Bravo Amazing !!

[@loveimpactedteeth]

Considering the title of the video, I think THIS was the moment to mention the original Bob Fosse choreography and your Love and admiration for his work. You’re talented brother but keep it real...single ladies is a modern day knock-off...and “paying homage” is not the same thing as replicating and imitating. Don’t let that Yonce speak get to you.

[@olaibunkun7902]

70 percent of singles ladies is original.

[@whychance9180]

Am glad he exist

[@annetteharrison1039]

Awesome video!!!

[@fordkd1]

Such a wonderful video to see someone living a dream that they didnt know about

[@kymberlyp4056]

I’d love to just hang out with Mr. Knight and absorb his energy.🕺🏿

[@jadejaguar69]

Damnnn he fly

[@obiephillips9174]

Bob Fosse and his wife Gwen Verdon choreographed and danced a 1970's routine that this choreographer took for Single Ladies. He probably only made up three 8 counts of the whole dance and the rest is Fosse!!

[@MNeathway]

Troy Troy He’s a huge Fosse fan and has acknowledged the influence numerous times

[@obiephillips9174]

@@MNeathway Not in this video.

[@MNeathway]

Troy Troy This video is 6-minutes long and heavily edited. The point is, he’s well aware of the Fosse influence and so is everyone else by now

[@obiephillips9174]

@@MNeathway Paula Abdul was Fosse influenced for "Cold Hearted Snake", En Vogue was Fosse influenced for "Never Gonna Get It" and they credited him upfront. THIS was a direct copy of Fosse without any acknowledgement given until the media called it out. This video continues the myth, that he alone created this viral dance piece.

[@MNeathway]

Troy Troy Nope. Beyoncé was talking about the Fosse inspiration within weeks of the video dropping.

[@seekeroftruth19]

You r awesome!!;

[@abc_cba]

Masc and so chic !

[@jmleeinla]

I want to watch a whole documentary on this amazing man!!!!!!

[@gngirl1]

So very cool

[@anavillalobos6473]

I love this channel. straight to the point and high quality videos. A gem.

[@demetricwilliams2040]

I love this dude.

[@LexxiMerced56]

Legend?! 👀Who dis Harpo? The specific inspiration for Beyoncé's famous 'Single Ladies dance was a choreographer by the name of Bob Fosse, in particular his routine named 'Mexican Breakfast', and whilst she's discussed this many times, there are still loads of people who have no idea... perhaps??

[@boomboom6577]

He was clogger for the year! His story highlights the importance of music and band in public schools:)

[@hijodelsoldeoriente]

"iMaGe ArChiTeCt"

[@god563616]

I love the lemon dance THIS GUY IS BEAST !!!

[@tabithapalmer9394]

Hey Jaquel and Dnay that looks like Chris Grant's choreography!!!!

[@ilove2929]

Image architect... Damn. I didnt know that term existed and so did this awesome guy

[@okay2329]

Image Architect ? 🤔 There's a Professional Board with Examination and such to have that title ?

[@justinmin6623]

So this guy copied Bob Fosse’s Mexican Breakfast and has the nerve to take credit

[@MNeathway]

He’s a huge Fosse fan and has acknowledged the influence numerous times

[@justinmin6623]

Meghan Neathway that doesn't make it okay

[@MNeathway]

Justin Min You say he never gave credit. He did.

[@justinmin6623]

It doesn't matter if he gave credit.... he literally just copied the dance with little modification and now he's sitting here in this video acting like he's this genius creative.

[@MNeathway]

Justin Min What do you mean it doesn’t matter if he gave credit? Your comment that I responded to says he didn’t give credit. That was incorrect.

[@joannamariegallo5096]

Image Architect???😶