The Woman Behind ‘The Color Purple’ Dance Scenes also Created These Iconic Dance Moves

The Color Purple has been declared the second-biggest Christmas Day film release of all time. Along with dynamic acting and singing, there are also fantastic dance sequences. Fatima Robinson, a widely respected choreographer for some of the biggest artists in our lifetime, told Entertainment Weekly that she knew she had to work on The Color Purple as soon as the remake was announced. Why? Her mother required Robinson and her sister to watch it because she wanted them to understand the power of sisterhood.

“My sister, when she sends me the double-hand emoji, then I know that she’s doing the patty-cake hands from The Color Purple with me.

And while she deserves all her flowers for her work on The Color Purple, she’s also worked with some the greatest artists of all time, creating dance moves in movies or music videos we all have seen. Take a look:

The Renaissance World Tour- Beyoncé

This year Fatima Robinson was also the Director of Choreography for Beyoncé’s “Renaissance World Tour.” The choreography consisted of robotic moves to go along with the futuristic, Metropolis-esque feel of the Grammy-nominated album as well as heavy inspiration from LGBT ballroom culture.

The “Renaissance Tour” was not the first time Robinson has worked for Queen Bey, as she’s been involved with her career since Destiny’s Child day. Robinson choreographed Dreamgirls (2006) featuring Bey as well as the “CUFF IT” singer’s performance at the 2022 Oscars with Blue Ivy.

Something special about Robinson is her ability to pull together choreography and themes. In her career, she’s worked with a variety of artists and a variety of dance styles for some of the most famous music videos in R&B and Hip Hop history. Here are some of the highlights.

Humpin’ Around (1992)- Bobby Brown

This was one of Fatima’s first choreographer credits. Robinson not only worked on choreography for the music video, but she was also a dancer for Brown in his early career.

I’m Every Woman (1992)- Whitney Houston

Robinson also worked with Bobby Brown’s boo, the late-and-great Whitney Houston. Although Houston was not known for her dancing, there were plenty of backup dancers in her “I’m Every Woman” music video. Robinson did the choreography for the “An Evening with Whitney Houston” hologram performances upon the “Run to You” artist’s death.

Remember The Time (1992)- Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson’s “Remember The Time” music video has some of the most famous dance moves in Jackson’s career, and Robinson was the mastermind behind it!

Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See (1997)- Busta Rhymes

Robinson ruled the nineties! She used her skills to choreograph one of the most iconic works of Busta Rhymes, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See.” In an interview with Billboard Robinson shared that before shooting the video it was the first time that Rhymes used a rehearsal studio to learn choreography, but ended up learning it quicker than he thought he could.

Are You That Somebody (1998)- Aaliyah

Robinson worked with Aaliyah throughout the star’s career. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, she explained that Aaliyah was like her twin when dancing saying, “Working with Aaliyah was so amazing because I had never worked with an artist that just moved exactly like I moved. It was like when we danced, it was synchronized swimming.”