58. Michael Jackson’s Choreographer Travis Payne: Dangerous, HIStory, Ghosts & This Is It

For nearly 20 years, choreographer and creative partner Travis Payne worked alongside Michael Jackson-- from the Dangerous era and HIStory Tour, to Ghosts, Scream, and This Is It.

In this episode of Club 30s with mjfangirl, I’m joined by Randall (therocfiles / rocsmocs.com ) for a deep-dive conversation with Travis about the creativity, collaboration, and precision behind some of Michael’s most ambitious work. Travis shares what it was really like collaborating with Michael on set and on tour, how Ghosts evolved through multiple versions, and what fans never saw behind the scenes while building massive productions around the world. We also discuss Michael’s rehearsals, global and street-dance influences (including the Bankhead Bounce), and the reality of bringing MJ’s vision to life.

Follow Travis Payne:Website: travispayne.com

Instagram: @travispayne1

Listen to Club 30s with MJFANGIRL:Spotify / Apple Podcasts / Amazon Music

Join the community (Club 30’s / Patreon):patreon.com/mjfangirl

Connect with mjfangirl:Business inquiries: hello@mjfangirl.comSocial: @mjfangirlblog

CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 - Intro: MJfangirl + Randall welcome Travis Payne (Michael Jackson creative partner)
00:01:01 - Travis Payne credits: Michael Jackson (Dangerous, HIStory, Ghosts, Scream, This Is It)
00:02:57 - Travis Payne origin story: Atlanta dance training
00:04:03 - Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation Tour
00:09:48 - Travis Payne on mentoring young dancers
00:14:37 - Travis Payne’s inspirations (Bob Fosse, Alvin Ailey, Debbie Allen + more)
00:15:34 - Michael Jackson influence on showmanship
00:18:31 - First time working with Michael Jackson
00:20:44 - Joining Michael Jackson’s Dangerous Tour
00:26:50 - “Dangerous” performance: film references + building MJ’s live cinematic world
00:28:37 - Michael Jackson “Dangerous” at Soul Train Awards: why it was full-circle
00:32:33 - Michael Jackson rehearsal standard
00:33:15 - Bankhead Bounce in “Dangerous”: hip-hop dance + Atlanta culture in MJ choreography
00:38:01 - Divine Nine stepping + “Global Dance”
00:40:26 - Michael Jackson “Ghosts” era: creative process + early concepts
00:41:45 - “Ghosts” filmmaking detail: the “dust” took days to perfect
00:44:01 - Why “Ghosts” was ahead of its time (Thriller legacy + Stan Winston + tech)
00:54:43 - HIStory Tour logistics: Kingdom Air planes + more
01:02:21 - Michael Jackson “Scream” behind the scenes: MJ + Janet collaboration
01:13:00 - MJ Immortal / ONE / Michael Jackson: The Experience