The name Travis Payne may or may not conjure up images of sizzling pop video productions and steamy stage shows, but if the names Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and that of the beloved Michael Jackson mean anything to you, you’ll want to make a mental note to watch for any project associated with his name. Payne, a fiercely accomplished choreographer, brought his most memorable work to date, This is It, to Atlanta on Saturday Nov. 7.
Payne, who has worked with other music industry notables including; En Vogue, Tevin Campbell, Taylor Dayne, Debbie Allen and Paula Abdul, has also garnered significant acclaim producing for television and awards shows including the “Academy Awards” and “Dancing with the Stars,” which made him a logical choice to choreograph and associate direct This Is It, Michael Jackson’s acclaimed behind-the- scenes documentary.
“I got a chance to do a lot of things like that. I did the Academy Awards and … I started working with Michael in 1993 as a dancer for the Remember the Time short film. From that project he asked me to join the Dangerous tour [as a dancer] … and while we were doing Dangerous, he pretty much told me that I was going to choreograph the song with him, for the American Music Awards live performance, and from that point on I worked with Michael as a choreography partner and dancer,” recalls Payne.
And when asked about working with the larger-than-life music icon, Payne was more than willing to discuss his relationship and his feeling about Michael Jackson. “Michael was amazing. His thought process was so unique, [but] it was very logical. The short pants with white socks were so you could see his feet from far away. He wore certain things to attract the [viewer’s] eye, such as the white tape on his finger — it’s like a little exclamation point. He always wore the penny loafer because he like the surface of the shoe,” he says fondly. “But he was a loving and caring individual who always presented us with the opportunity to really excel and be the best we could,” Payne says.
Payne expressed that he was moved by Jackson’s generosity and
philanthropic activities. “Not many people know that he donated all 5
million dollars of the proceeds from the Victory tour to charity. … I
intend to continue to perpetuate Michael’s message of peace and hope
for our planet because that was ultimately the reason that he chose to
embark on the tour,” he says. –roz edward
