Bobby Newberry is Dancing Alongside Icons

Performer Bobby Newberry’s career started when he was a young boy, teaching himself how to dance alongside the videos of MTV-made icons. From those early years, he has made a name for himself as a choreographer to the stars with his work being seen both onscreen and onstage around the globe. Now, he entertains audiences from center stage, heating up the scene for LGBTQ audiences and beyond. There was never any doubt that stardom was in the cards, being inspired by his patron saint Madonna and her documentary Truth or Dare.

I thought wow, that’s what I want to do, that’s the artist I want to be.  I even sat my family down and performed the “Like A Virgin” section which is obviously super inappropriate for a little kid to do. [Laughs] But that just shows that I’ve always authentically been myself as an artist.

Bobby’s unbridled authenticity made him a stranger in his own home while growing up in Orange County. Despite his drive and clear talent as a performer, he was bullied by his own family. The artist we see today was created from Bobby’s resilience and his passion for the arts that would overcome his obstacles of childhood. His industry peers would become his family.

It’s hard dealing with your family not supporting you. I dove into the work part of it. I focused really hard on training and threw myself into it, so I didn’t have to focus on my life outside and what I was going through.   I would recommend that if you want to follow your dreams, work hard and you will find a support system in your fellow dancers, singers, and teachers. I found so much comfort in my dancing and singing family I met.

I did a work-study/scholarship program in Orange County, and that’s where I got my strong training and support system. That was support I never had before. That is what gave me the confidence and courage to even audition for the program in Los Angeles. Leanne was my teacher, my mentor. She gave me the courage to really pursue this.

With a scholarship in hand, Bobby moved to Los Angeles at the age of 17 to study at EDGE Performing Arts Center in the heart of Hollywood. There he would get his formal training, studying with famed choreographers that had worked with Britney and Janet Jackson. Little did he know that his near future would also be laden with celebrity work.

I was just so excited to get out of Orange County and start fresh that I literally didn’t care. I right away felt a huge relief as I was accepted and not judged for being gay. Meeting all the people I was on scholarship with was the best part of moving to LA for me.

Photo by David Laffe

Photo by David Laffe

Photo by David Laffe

His self-taught style of hip hop and stylized movement celebrated the pop world around him. Being thrust into a formal setting, he was ready for the next stage of his career. The hardest thing about his training?

Ballet … the discipline is unreal.  I cried so many days because it was just so hard, and I felt so behind because I didn’t train in ballet as a child like most ballet dancers do.   This gave me the technique and skill set I needed.

With no room in his apartment, he would practice ballet and his own signature movements until the early hours of the morning, outside of his garage with only the moon as his light. Eager to hit the scene, he was ready for his first professional audition. As life comes full circle, he would be auditioning for his early inspiration.

Auditions are so scary when you are first starting out. I auditioned for Madonna, and I actually made it to the very end.  She asked me if I surfed. [Laughs] I thought I was actually going to book it, but the project was canceled.

Word got out that there was a new dancer in town and that his moves were fierce. Bobby would go on to work with Nicki Minaj, the Pussycat Dolls, Girlicious, Jessie & the Toyboys, Porcelain Black, Lil’ Wayne, Taylor Dayne, Eva Longoria for Bebe, Missy Elliott, Jody Watley, Aaron Kwok, and on television shows like X Factor, Dancing with the Stars, Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, and America’s Got Talent. But his first gig? Controversial rapper Eminem. Eminem needed a choreographer to teach him how to dance like Michael Jackson for his music video, “Just Lose It.” Rewatch the video, that is all Bobby Newberry.

Eminem was great. He was so nice. I was so nervous because I had heard he was not friendly to the LGBTQ community. But he was nice, and the shoot was great. 

With years of success as a choreographer, Bobby knew it was time to go solo.

I have always wanted to be an artist. I have known since I was a little kid that that is what I wanted to do and that’s what I would ultimately do because there is nothing else that would completely fulfill me. 

He would release a string of successful singles, including “Dirrty Up” with Jessie and the Toy Boys, and would guest of Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton’s cover of La Roux’s “Bulletproof.” He was ready for his debut EP. #THENEWBERRYSPECIAL debuted on Billboard.com and the album’s music video for the first single, “Sweat,” featured dancers in the Mojave Desert moving around in the dirt, dancing in Bobby’s signature moves. It was a hit not only in the industry but on social media and caught the attention of Danity Kane who asked Bobby to open for their #DKNOFILTER Tour.

Even with his success going solo, it was a stark difference from being a choreographer for someone else’s project. He was also coming into his own during a changing industry.

You have to really love it and push yourself all the time. The hard work that it takes to get there and the long, long, long hours of rehearsal, studio sessions, writing sessions, creative meetings, etc., that you must do to get that 30-minute set for a live show or a three-minute music video. It is a lot of work but at the end of the day, it’s worth it.

During the summer, Bobby released “Escape” with Fia Nyxx and Sam J Garfield. With everything going wrong in the world and still dealing with the after-effects of the worst of COVID, it was their answer to it all – let go and just dance. Keeping the party going, Bobby recently released “Blackout,” – with a title that is pretty self-explanatory. Through his positive messages, celebration of dance, and call to be yourself, each of Bobby’s songs are distinctly different. Listening through his library of music, you can hear Bobby mature and you can listen in to his journey as a performer.

I think my music has evolved over the years because I’m not afraid to try new styles of music and to constantly be inspired to try different things. My upcoming album has such an eclectic and diverse mix of music, and I am really proud of all the styles and emotions that I put into it.  There are acoustic songs, piano ballads, more hip-hop influenced songs … it is definitely a melting pot of music.

Seeing Bobby perform onstage and sitting with him for an interview are two totally different experiences. Onstage, he is a powerhouse of energy and sexuality. Sitting next to you, he is sweet and understated. How does Bobby experience the difference?

Bobby the person is much calmer than people would think. Bobby the person is also super critical of himself and insecure. It is something that I am working really hard to overcome.

Sorry, boys…Bobby is married. With his many shirtless photoshoots, oozing sexuality in his projects, and avid social media fandom, how does Bobby’s career affect his relationship?

My husband goes through phases. [Laugh] Sometimes he is super supportive and other times he does not like the choices I make. I have always been an artist that likes to push boundaries and be open with my sexuality. He has come a long way and accepts me for who I am even though he doesn’t like it all the time.

His secret to balancing a successful relationship and career?

I think pre-Covid it was much more difficult because I was so busy touring and constantly leaving. Now I have spent a lot more time at home and I’ve learned how to have a little more balance with everything. Also voicing what you want and what you need in a relationship and being honest is the most important thing.

Another equally successful relationship is the one that Bobby has with his fans. Through different styles, iterations, and genres, his fans are here to stay.

I just want to thank them for staying with me on this journey and I hope that they love this album. Their love and support are what keep me pushing to continue to make more music and create more art, so a huge thank you to everyone that supports me it means the world to me.

You can follow Bobby on IG: @BobbyNewberry