Charm La’Donna isn’t just a choreographer; she often jumps into the action herself. For instance, in Kendrick Lamar’s viral “Not Like Us” music video, she not only crafted the Los Angeles street dance tribute but also appears Crip-walking on a tightrope.
Her passion is so undeniable that even when hosting a major event like the Red Bull Dance Your Style finals in Los Angeles, she can’t resist joining in, cheering on contestants with her mic in hand.
At 37, La’Donna embodies the spirit of a true dancer, particularly one from Los Angeles. Growing up in Compton, she mastered local street dance forms alongside classical ballet, jazz, and modern techniques. Her ties to the city’s vibrant dance community remain incredibly strong; she’s not merely an observer, but an active participant.
“My cultural background always shines through in my movement,” she shared in a recent interview. “I’ll never downplay my identity as a dancer. People might say, ‘Oh, you’re a choreographer now,’ but I am first and foremost a dancer. I fully expect to still be on stage, grooving, even at 60.”
Despite her active dance presence, La’Donna boasts a remarkable portfolio of choreographic achievements. Her diverse dance background enables her to craft routines that are both genuinely expressive and impeccably refined. Over the last year, she masterminded phenomenal arena hip-hop shows for Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime spectacle and Beyoncé’s “Beyoncé Bowl” performance, both earning Emmy nominations for outstanding choreography. She’s equally adept at crafting vibrant pop routines, demonstrated by her Barbie-esque moves for Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night” video—where she also made a memorable cameo—contributing to its staggering 213 million-plus YouTube views.
“People might say, ‘Oh, you’re a choreographer now.’ No! I’m a dancer. I’ll probably still be up there dancing when I’m 60.”
La’Donna thrives on making bold statements, often with a mischievous flair. “I love tackling challenges that others deem impossible,” she stated, “and I embrace both pushing and being pushed.” This ethos was evident during Lamar’s halftime show: after his declaration, “The revolution ’bout to be televised,” she orchestrated dancers into the formation of an American flag. Later, she masterminded an exuberant dance party around Lamar as he delivered his cutting diss track, “Not Like Us.”
Her sheer, infectious enthusiasm has a knack for transforming even the most reluctant dancers among pop’s elite. Dua Lipa, for instance, praised La’Donna’s “beautiful and absolutely infectious energy.” Despite facing online criticism for her dancing early on, Lipa was encouraged by La’Donna to embrace movement. The meticulously choreographed “Houdini” video from 2023, for example, can be seen as Lipa’s powerful retort to those who once mocked her moves.
La’Donna “champions you with all her might,” Lipa wrote, “so much so that she makes you feel like you can do anything.”
Born Charmaine La’Donna Jordan, her choreographic journey began remarkably early—with a solo she created for her kindergarten graduation. She honed her skills through local recreation center classes, later advancing to formal studios and the prestigious Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.
Her mother, Debbie Vallery, was her unwavering champion. “She always went above and beyond to ensure I could dance, despite the high costs that we couldn’t always afford,” La’Donna recalled. “She found every way to get me to the best places and classes.” Their close bond continues, as they still share a home in Los Angeles.
Growing up, La’Donna was immersed in the vibrant world of clowning and krumping, street dance styles born in South Central Los Angeles during the 1990s. Yet, armed with extensive studio training, she initially envisioned a career in concert dance. “I was convinced I’d be dancing with Alvin Ailey,” she admitted.
At age 10, an audition with acclaimed hip-hop choreographer Fatima Robinson opened La’Donna’s eyes to a new dimension of professional dance. Robinson, who cast the young talent in a music video for rapper Mase, quickly became a pivotal mentor and trusted friend.
“Even as a child, she demonstrated an impressive sense of responsibility,” Robinson recounted. “She was incredibly skilled, but beyond that, I valued her presence, her energy, and her perspective. There were moments I’d instinctively turn to her and ask, ‘What do you think?’”
Their bond strengthened as La’Donna, still a high school student, toured with pop icon Madonna. Later, while pursuing her degree in world arts and cultures at UCLA, she continued assisting Robinson on commercial dance ventures, gradually honing her unique choreographic voice.
It was through Robinson that La’Donna’s path first crossed with Kendrick Lamar. Robinson noted their instant connection, remarking, “They’re the same age, both raised in Compton. There was an immediate kinship between them.”
In 2017, Lamar brought La’Donna on board as choreographer and his sole female dancer for his groundbreaking DAMN tour. Her influence was evident not only in his powerful 2018 Grammys performance, which she choreographed, but also in her electrifying presence dancing beside him. She has since created movement for many of his ventures, including his ongoing Grand National tour.
“Our connection is rooted in a shared understanding,” La’Donna explained regarding her collaboration with Lamar. “We both approach art with similar philosophies, recognizing its power to communicate profound messages.”
This profound understanding also guides La’Donna’s casting process. Unlike some choreographers in the entertainment industry known for grueling auditions, she favors a simpler approach, prioritizing genuine connection and positive energy over sheer technical prowess.
“I’m not particularly concerned with a dancer’s ability to execute 85 counts of eight or 17 pirouettes,” she stated, “but I absolutely adore collaborating with kind individuals.”
Dancer Kiersten Kae Kruse’s luck changed when La’Donna, by chance, visited the smoothie shop where Kruse worked. After Kruse introduced herself, La’Donna quickly hired her for The Weeknd’s tour.
“I believe she saw something in me that others hadn’t, right there while I was blending her smoothie,” Kruse quipped, laughing. “Charm just seems to have an innate sense for spotting talent.” (La’Donna humorously added, “She hasn’t been back to the smoothie shop since.”)
“I don’t necessarily care if you can nail 85 counts of eight and 17 turns,” La’Donna explained. “What truly matters to me is working with kind people.”
This unique hiring philosophy fosters deep trust between La’Donna and her dancers. Kruse affirmed, “Working with her always feels like a collaborative team effort.” Many of La’Donna’s most iconic choreographic pieces celebrate the inherent charisma of the performers, often above their technical precision. A prime example is a viral moment from Lamar’s latest tour, where six women effortlessly strut and pose around him, their purses swinging, creating a mesmerizing display of casual confidence.
As her career soars, La’Donna finds particular joy in challenging and guiding the emerging dancers she collaborates with. Recognizing the significant impact mentorship has had on her own journey, she is dedicated to paying it forward. Her ambition is to establish a nonprofit organization aimed at nurturing the next generation of artistic talent.
“Within a few years,” she envisions, “the Charm La’Donna empire will encompass all artistic disciplines, dedicated to helping the next generation of artists truly soar.”
La’Donna is also keen to expand her creative repertoire, having explored music production and expressed interest in directing. However, she remains firmly rooted in her identity as a dancer, a calling whose inherent magic continues to captivate her.
“Dancers,” La’Donna articulated, “are essentially energy shifters. You might be in a cheerful mood, then watch the ballet ‘Giselle’ and find yourself in tears. Or someone might be upset, and through dance, you can make them laugh, completely transforming their energy. That, to me, is an incredible power.”