Wade Robson: Dancing, Breakdowns, and Surviving Neverland

For Wade Robson, dancing has been indelibly linked with a life of success, pain, and recovery. Robson’s life includes a variety of visible accomplishments, with a catalogue of work in dance and choreography including:

• The Video Music Awards.
• Diagramming music videos for Britney Spears, NSYNC, Cirque du Soleil and Justin Timberlake.
• Winning two Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Choreography.
• Choreography for Pepsi commercials

That said, another thing Robson will be indelibly linked with is the late legendary pop star, Michael Jackson. No matter if it’s negative or positive, either.

• For the negative, he made allegations of sexual abuse against Jackson (after testifying to the contrary). First in court, then on camera in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland.
• For the positive, earning his first big breaks as a dancer and his outstanding choreography.

Leaving Australia for World Tours

As a five-year-old dancing prodigy from Brisbane, Robson’s life changed in 1987. He participated in a Michael Jackson dancing contest, one in which Jackson himself came away impressed. That same year, Wade, his mother, and sister moved to the United States with help from Jackson.

Soon, Robson performed in world tours, dancing on Jackson’s 1987 Bad Tour. He also appeared in Jackson’s widely watched music videos for “Black or White” and “Jam”.

Leading professional dancers

At the precocious age of 12, Robson had also become a dancing teacher in Hollywood.

His youth-belying capabilities became a running theme. Though some failed to take instruction from him at first, Robson grew into the role as a leader in dance settings. First, with R&B group Immature (merely coincidence), Robson worked his way up through the 1990s in choreography and direction.

His work with Spears on both music videos and Pepsi commercials earned young Wade acclaim.

Leaving the elephant in the room behind

The first decade of the 2000s saw Robson continue to share his gift for choreography. He won a pair of Emmy Awards as a judge on the television show So You Think You Can Dance.

He proved his worth working in videos for the likes of:

• Timberlake & NSYNC
• Pink
• Usher
• Mya

The decade also saw Robson expand his professional output to give back to the community. The Wade Robson Project was a single season MTV show in 2003 that sought young dancing talent. He worked with fellow choreographers to offer professional dance instruction in remote areas of the US.

Hollywood also beckoned. Robson starred in 2004’s You Got Served. A year later, a more significant matter took place in his life. Robson would testify on behalf of Michael Jackson in his 2005 trials for child abuse.

Facing his past

Upon Jackson’s death in 2009, Robson shared positive memories of his mentor.

“His music, his movement, his personal words of inspiration and encouragement and his unconditional love will live inside of me forever.”

But Robson was not at peace with Jackson’s role in his life. His 2005 testimony notwithstanding, Robson became a father shortly after the King of Pop died. Soon, he began to struggle professionally whilst confronting the truth about his relationship with him. Facing personal breakdowns over sexual abuse Jackson allegedly subjected him to between ages 7 and 14, Robson struggled to face it head-on.

In 2013, Robson filed a lawsuit against Jackson’s estate, alleging sexual abuse. Though it proved unsuccessful, he’d begun on a path to facing down his fears.

Leaving Neverland

That path culminated In the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland by British filmmaker Dan Reed. On camera, Robson and James Safechuck spoke in-depth about Jackson’s sexually abusive activities.

The acclaimed film was one of the most hotly debated films of the 2019 calendar year. Celebrities including Madonna, members of NSYNC, Corey Feldman and Aaron Carter stood by Jackson. Yet widespread condemnation of Jackson also ensued, and a reassessment of his career was the talk of the year. Jackson’s estate would eventually sue American broadcaster HBO for airing the program.

Restarting as a dance teacher

By 2017, Robson had learned to cope with the issues the Jackson ordeal had brought to the surface. Robson began teaching again. Robson told DanceTeacher.com that it was a slightly different level of skill than he was used to.

“About 50 people showed up, many non-professional, a real motley crew from all walks of life. I began the class with ‘Let’s all sit down: I want to talk to you about why I’m here, where I’ve been, and what my goal is both for myself and for all of you.’ 

“I had a real vulnerable share and I let my guard down and enabled them to drop their shoulders and be vulnerable with me, too. All of us in the room connected so deeply, so quickly.”