Laurieann Gibson: A Force of Nature, Standing in Her Truth
Laurieann Gibson knows a thing or two about how an artist should dress for success. She arrived in New York City decades ago with dreams of making it big as a choreographer. After several years of boomkacking and knocking down doors, Gibson started choreographing for some of the biggest names in the business, including Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, and Nicki Minaj. In 2011, she even garnered an Emmy nomination for her directorial work on Lady Gaga’s The Monster Ball Tour at Madison Square Garden.
A Revolutionary Show
So it’s no surprise she was selected to serve as a mentor and judge on Hulu’s new fashion reality competition series, Dress My Tour. Created and produced by Dr. Holly Carter (The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel) and hosted by Kate Upton, the series follows 11 aspiring fashion designers as they compete to prove they have what it takes to design for musical royalty (Paula Abdul, JoJo Siwa, JT, Ty Dolla $ign, Toni Braxton, Coi Leray, French Montana, and Jessie James Decker), all while vying to win the $100,000 prize.
In an exclusive interview with PopViewers founder and CEO Chris Witherspoon, Laurieann opened up about her experiences, her highs and lows, and her unwavering commitment to her craft.
She described “Dress My Tour” as revolutionary, fearless, inspiring, and aspirational, highlighting its ability to prompt conversations about the music industry. She emphasized the convergence of music, fashion, and culture in the current era, underscoring the importance of understanding the process and reasoning behind these elements for today’s generation.
“It’s just that outside the box. It’s not Project Runway. It’s not So You Think You Can Dance. It is Dress My Tour, the touring world, the touring business is a huge circus unto itself. And the razzle and the dazzle and the magic that comes together on this show as a result of the show is unbeatable.”
A Multifaceted Career
Laurieann Gibson’s journey from a determined young dancer to an industry icon is nothing short of inspiring. Taking a Greyhound bus from Toronto to New York City, Laurieann arrived with nothing but her dreams and a relentless passion for dance. She struggled to make ends meet, but her dedication never wavered.
“I always say, ‘if I can speak to the dream, then I can speak to the circumstance.’ I was the little girl that loved dance so much and that passion, that dream, was bigger than my circumstances. So every day I got up, I would embrace the feeling of the dream.”
This unwavering commitment propelled her into the spotlight, where her choreography and directorial talents shone brightly. Laurieann’s gift lies not just in her ability to create captivating dance routines, but in her unique vision and mentorship. “My biggest gift is seeing the unseen, being able to identify it, see it, mentor new artists, pull their dream out, perfect it, and understand it. Sometimes that gets a little dramatic,” she admits.
Shaping Gaga’s Image
Laurieann’s candid reflections on her relationship with Lady Gaga reveal the depth of her influence and the challenges she faced. She discussed how she met Gaga after L.A. Reid dropped her from Def Jam and how she contributed to shaping Gaga’s image while serving as her creative director.
“She [Gaga] didn’t have the vision. It was my vision or what I heard in her music. And that’s the real story. And that’s okay,” Gibson explained. “That’s a big part of my gift. But to not allow that to be part of the narrative, I think, is, you know, why a lot of people don’t really understand how impactful what I do is to that moment where everyone says to the artist, ‘Oh, I get it,’ as opposed to ‘I don’t get it, and we’ll have to drop it.’”
Overcoming Adversity
On Dress My Tour, Laurieann refers to herself as “Mother of the House of Don’t Give Up,” but she opened up about a time when she nearly did give up. After conceptualizing and executing the vision around some of Gaga’s biggest hits like “Bad Romance,” “Paparazzi,” “Telephone,” “Born This Way,” and “Judas,” Laurieann faced a difficult period when she was unceremoniously terminated from her role as choreographer and creative partner. She recalled the emotional toll it took on her, but emphasized the importance of not giving up in the face adversity.
“Sometimes you have to look at it and go, ‘I’m going to resist.’ Once you make that declaration, your spirit begins to rise. Your heart begins to feel the passion for the dream again. And then you get stronger. As soon as you do that, your spirit begins to rise. And that’s ultimately who you are.”
Laurieann Gibson’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and unwavering dedication to her craft. Her journey is a celebration of the highs of her illustrious career and the lows that tested her spirit. Through it all, Laurieann stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative impact of artistry. Dress My Tour is just another chapter in her incredible story, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
The entire season of Dress My Tour is available to stream now on Hulu.
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