Michael Jackson's choreographer Travis Payne admits to being in awe of the Cebu dancing inmates’ interpretation of the late King of Pop’s hit song “They Don’t Care About Us.”
“They are prisoners but they are also dancers,” said he who had also worked with Madonna and Lady Gaga in the past.
It wasn’t the first time that inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) danced to an MJ song. Two years ago, they took on his signature song, “Thriller,” which became a viral hit on the Internet, garnering millions of visits on YouTube.
Payne said that Michael himself saw that performance. “He loved it. It took him a minute to register what it was [but when it did], he laughed and he got so excited, was so touched by it,” said he.
The choreographer added that oftentimes during breaks while they were rehearsing for Michael’s final concert, “This Is It,” Michael and the rest of the crew would repeatedly watch the Cebu dancing inmates’ video of “Thriller.”
Travis himself came to Cebu to oversee the rehearsals for “They Don’t Care About Us.” Two of Michael’s dancers, whom the singer personally picked for “This Is It” from hundreds of auditioners, even danced with the inmates.
“Michael was like a brother to us. When we thank him for giving us the opportunity to dance with him onstage, he’d say, ‘No, God bless you. Thank YOU for being here.’ That [the humility] was what’s beautiful about Michael,” said one of the dancers.
Sony Music, Michael’s record label, tapped an all-Filipino crew to shoot the dance routine. The footage may end up as part of the “This Is It” concert on DVD which will soon be launched worldwide.
The ANC show which aired the interview with Payne said that about 800 inmates practiced the steps to “They Don’t Care About Us” for two straight days, resting only for meals.
Courtesy of: mb.com.ph
