Jasmine “JB” Badie’s Choreography Is Empowering Everyone from Sabrina Carpenter to Pharrell

Whether you’re a world-famous pop star or a concertgoer, Jasmine “JB” Badie is on a mission to make you feel. Originally from Atlanta, the Los Angeles–based choreographer has worked with everyone from Beyoncé to Pharrell and Megan Thee Stallion. Most recently, she was the lead choreographer on Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Tour.

Badie’s choreographic approach is holistic and introspective—she has an innate ability to get even the most famous performing artists to look inward and consider what they truly want to project through their movement. “Watching an artist realize something they hadn’t before is one of the main joys I get from this work,” Badie says, “because, really, all they have to do is believe in themselves.”

As her career continues gaining momentum, Badie took a moment to reflect on her recent projects, creative process, and dreams for the future.

How did you find your way to a career in choreography?

In 2013, I moved from Atlanta to Los Angeles with a group of friends and signed with a dance agent. The journey was initially kind of slow—we all had these dreams of becoming dancers, and I was a bit of a late bloomer. But something clicked for me after dancing in Beyoncé’s 2013 Super Bowl performance, then being assistant choreographer and a stand-in for her 2016 Formation tour. I realized that the process of building an artist, understanding their movements, putting a production together—these things were calling me. As my career’s progressed, I’ve been a choreographer, artist developer, and movement consultant. I’m so grateful to have worn all these hats.

What is your process when you begin working with a new artist?

I start out with a one-on-one discussion. I really pick their brain and try to understand who they are. The most impactful movement an artist can make is when they’re feeling free, feeling comfortable with themselves. Once we get to that point, that’s when I can pull out little details and magnify them into something bigger.

When I’m in a room with someone, I’ll put their music on and ask: “How would you move to this? What do you feel from this? What were your emotions when you wrote this?” That’s what I want to see, and that’s what reveals movement that feels natural to them. Greatness doesn’t come from an eight-count. It comes from the freedom you feel and how much you’re willing to reveal.

“Greatness doesn’t come from an eight-count. It comes from the freedom you feel and how much you’re willing to reveal.”

—Jasmine “JB” Badie

Do you have any projects you’re especially proud of?

Working with Sabrina on her Coachella performance this year was a major moment. Coachella started off as this little dream, and where we are now is just awesome and has felt miraculous to watch. Coachella was one of our biggest productions—it almost felt bigger than the tour. It was a landmark for me.

Sabrina is very imaginative and loves to tell a good story. She’s an artist who knows what she wants. To be on the same wavelength as her enabled me to create these worlds, these characters, these environments, that guarantee audience members a show.

How do you creatively map out a specific number or moment in a show?

The storytelling of it all comes very naturally to me. That’s the core—telling a story through each song and each act: How are we introducing this artist? What’s the first impression, and how do we get to the next, because what we’re doing in that in-between time matters. And then how are we ending? What will the audience remember when they leave?

I’m big on structure. I’ll write all the songs on a big whiteboard and map out a story. I look for our inhale and exhale moments, where we’re reaching a climax, where we’re incorporating conflict and reaching resolve. And you’ve got to make it fun—you’ve got to have a blast.

Do you have any dream projects?

I really want to get into the movie industry and work with a director. I’m such a cinematic person—I love that there are so many different ways to tell a story. But beyond that, I would love to do a Broadway show, and choreograph a Super Bowl halftime show. I also love to write (I was an English major), and I’m about to publish a children’s book!