Janet Jackson

Episode Summary: Teresa Espinosa, a celebrated dancer and choreographer, joins the conversation to share her incredible journey and insights on building a dance career. Menina Fortunato introduces Teresa, known for her extensive work with icons like Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, and Justin Bieber, as well as her Emmy-nominated choreography on Janet’s “Velvet Rope” special. Teresa recounts her early inspirations, sparked by icons like Michael and Janet Jackson. After graduating from Cal Arts, her career took off through connections she made at the Roxbury club in Dallas. She recalls her first major break with Janet Jackson’s tour, underscoring the importance of resilience through the emotional ups and downs of auditioning. As her career progressed, Teresa embraced the power of positive affirmations and manifesting her dreams, which she credits for landing key roles like Britney Spears’ tour. She encourages dancers to believe in themselves and not rely solely on external validation for confidence. Teresa details her creative process, where improvisation and flexibility allow for authentic expression. Working with Miley Cyrus, she found value in collaborative choreography, showing how openness to others’ ideas enhances creativity. For young dancers, Teresa emphasizes enjoying the journey, letting go of perfectionism, and trusting their abilities. She concludes with uplifting advice to stay grounded in their love for dance, reminding them they are enough, which she believes is key to success and fulfillment in the industry. Show Notes: (0:03) Introduction to Teresa Espinosa (2:58) Teresa's Early Dance Journey (8:12) Transition to Professional Dance Career (17:38) Auditioning and Manifesting Dreams (25:01) Creative Process and Performance Creation (40:24) Audition Preparation and Mindset (44:22) Improvisation and Confidence Building (56:42) Final Advice and Encouragement Biography: Teresa Espinosa is a proud native of Dallas, Texas. After graduating from CalArts, she has been working professionally as a dancer and choreographer for over 2 decades. Teresa, who early on in her career at the age of 24, was nominated for an Emmy Award for contributing choreography to Janet Jackson’s Velvet Rope HBO Special, and traveled the world as one of her dancers. This auspicious start was a telling sign of a very successful and exciting career. Teresa’s extensive list of accomplishments includes working with many of the renowned artists of our time, such as Prince, Britney Spears, Missy Elliot, Mariah Carey, Pink, Rihanna, Limp Bizkit, Usher, Hannah Montana/ Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Hailee Steinfeld, and Sofia Carson. Her work as a dancer and choreographer have also appeared in numerous television shows, award shows, commercials, and films. Some of these credits consist of The Oprah Winfrey Show, Ellen, The X Factor, America’s Best Dance Crew (Beat Freaks), Good Morning America, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Billboard Awards, American Music Awards, Kid’s Choice Awards, Old Navy, Nike, You Got Served, End of Watch, Barbie: The Princess & The Popstar, Magic Mike, and Magic Mike XXL. She also has worked on the hit TV show, Lip Sync Battle: Channing Tatum vs. Jenna Dewan-Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt vs. Anthony Mackie. Espinosa’s was an Associate Director/ Choreographer for Magic Mike Live is currently playing at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. She was also Co-owner of Debbie Reynold’s Dance Studio in North Hollywood, CA. Connect on Social Media: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/teresa.espinosa22"

She holds eye-popping album sale records, ushered a whole new style of pop music into the mainstream, and did it all as a socially conscious black woman in conservative white America. But one TV performance clouded all of it. It's JANET JACKSON week! Joining the show this week to help uncloud that cultural memory is music journalist Robby Seabrook III! Robby and the guys discuss Janet's early Jackson family life and mall pop career, including an American Bandstand clip featuring a creepy Dick Clark. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis change the game with Janet on Control and perform with her on the Grammys. Janet takes over the pop world, to the point MTV dedicates its entire 1993 New Year's Eve programming to her. And we return to the Super Bowl for a clip that changes everything about TV musical guest performances forever. Want to watch along with us? Check out the links below for the performances discussed this week! Young Love/Come Give Your Love to Me, 10/30/1982 on American Bandstand What Have You Done for Me Lately?, 2/24/1987 on The Grammy Awards Miss You Much / Rhythm Nation , 11/17/1989 on Peter's Pop Show Because of Love, 12/31/1993 on MTV Janet's New Year's Eve Jam The Way You Move" (Spirit of Houston and Ocean of Soul marching bands)/All for You(Janet Jackson)/Bad Boy for Life(P. Diddy)/Diddy to the tune of "Mickey"/Hot in Herre(Nelly)/Mo Money Mo Problems(P. Diddy)/Bawitdaba(Kid Rock)/Cowboy(Kid Rock)/Rhythm Nation(Janet Jackson)/Rock Your Body(Justin Timberlake with Janet Jackson), 2/1/2004 on The Super Bowl Nasty/Throb, 5/20/2018 on The Billboard Awards

Since the 1980s, producers and songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have made huge hits with artists like Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey. But finally in 2021, the duo released their debut album as artists. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot chat with Jimmy Jam about the record and his illustrious past work. Plus, we hear the song that got Garbage's Shirley Manson Hooked on Sonics. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Send us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs: Jam & Lewis, "Spinnin (feat. Mary J. Blige)," Jam & Lewis, Volume One, Flyte Tyme, BMG, 2021 Jam & Lewis, "Somewhat Loved (There You Go Breakin' My Heart) (feat. Mariah Carey)," Jam & Lewis, Volume One, Flyte Tyme, BMG, 2021 Janet Jackson, "What Have You Done for Me Lately," Control, A&M, 1986 Jam & Lewis, "The Next Best Day (feat. Boyz II Men)," Jam & Lewis, Volume One, Flyte Tyme, BMG, 2021 The S.O.S. Band, "Tell Me If You Still Care," On the Rise, Tabu/Epic, 1983 Cornbread Harris and Friends, "PutThe World," Cornbread Supreme Volume 1, 2631577 Records DK, 2002 Janet Jackson, "Control," Control, A&M, 1986 The S.O.S. Band, "Just Be Good to Me," On the Rise, Tabu/Epic, 1983 Jam & Lewis, "Happily Unhappy (feat. Toni Braxton)," Jam & Lewis, Volume One, Flyte Tyme, BMG, 2021 New Edition, "Can You Stand the Rain," Heart Break, MCA, 1987 Janet Jackson, "Nasty," Control, A&M, 1986 The S.O.S. Band, "Take Your Time (Do It Right)," SOS, Tabu, 1980 Janet Jackson, "Miss You Much," Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, A&M, 1989 Chaka Khan, "Angel," Funk This, Burgundy, 2007 Garbage, "No Gods No Masters," No Gods No Masters, Infectious Music, 2021 Stray Cats, "Stray Cat Strut," Stray Cats, Arista, 1981 Superchunk, "Endless Summer," Wild Loneliness, Merge, 2022

Since the 1980s, producers and songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have made huge hits with artists like Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey. But finally in 2021, the duo released their debut album as artists. Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot chat with Jimmy Jam about the record and his illustrious past work. Plus, we hear the song that got Garbage's Shirley Manson Hooked on Sonics. Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9T Become a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvc Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnG Make a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lU Record a Voice Memo: https://bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Featured Songs: Jam & Lewis, "Spinnin (feat. Mary J. Blige)," Jam & Lewis, Volume 1, Flyte Tyme, BMG, 2021 Jam & Lewis, "Somewhat Loved (There You Go Breakin' My Heart) (feat. Mariah Carey)," Jam & Lewis, Volume 1, Flyte Tyme, BMG, 2021 Janet Jackson, "What Have You Done for Me Lately," Control, A&M, 1986 Jam & Lewis, "The Next Best Day (feat. Boyz II Men)," Jam & Lewis, Volume 1, Flyte Tyme, BMG, 2021 The S.O.S. Band, "Tell Me If You Still Care," On the Rise, Tabu/Epic, 1983 Cornbread Harris and Friends, "PutThe World," Cornbread Supreme Volume 1, 2631577 Records DK, 2002 Janet Jackson, "Control," Control, A&M, 1986 The S.O.S. Band, "Just Be Good to Me," On the Rise, Tabu/Epic, 1983 Jam & Lewis, "Happily Unhappy (feat. Toni Braxton)," Jam & Lewis, Volume 1, Flyte Tyme, BMG, 2021 New Edition, "Can You Stand the Rain," Heart Break, MCA, 1987 Janet Jackson, "Nasty," Control, A&M, 1986 The S.O.S. Band, "Take Your Time (Do It Right)," SOS, Tabu, 1980 Janet Jackson, "Miss You Much," Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, A&M, 1989 Garbage, "No Gods No Masters," No Gods No Masters, Infectious Music, 2021 Stray Cats, "Stray Cat Strut," Stray Cats, Arista, 1981 Tori Amos, "Happy Phantom," Little Earthquakes, Atlantic, 1992 Support The Show: https://www.patreon.com/soundopinions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .