Loic Mabanza
Born (1990-03-01) 1 March 1990
NationalityFrench
Occupation(s)Dancer, Actor, Filmmaker, Model
Years active2004–present

Loic Mabanza (born March 1, 1990) is a French dancer, choreographer, actor, filmmaker and model.[1] He has performed with music artists such as Chris Brown, Usher, Mariah Carey, Kendrick Lamar, and Jennifer Hudson, and co-starred alongside Lupita Nyong'o in Jay Z's music video "MaNyfaCedGod". He was selected by the creative director Jamie King and the choreographers Richmond and Anthony Talauega to be one of Michael Jackson's dancers for his posthumous album "Xscape". Mabanza is also known as one of Madonna's main dancers.[2] In 2022, Mabanza played Bek in the Disney+ miniseries Moon Knight.

Early life

Mabanza grew up in Persan, a small town located in the north of Paris[3] where he discovered his love for dancing at the age of 7, a passion that he shared with playing football. Due to an injury, Mabanza ended his run as a football player at the age of 13 which then made him focus solely on his passion for dancing.[4]

Also known as Speedylegz, Mabanza was one of the original members of the French street dance group Criminalz Crew, founded in 2004. Over the years, he and Criminalz Crew gained popularity in the street dance community by winning numerous French and international competitions.[5]

Dancing career

In 2007, Mabanza started his professional dance career working with French artists such as La fouine, Magic system, Sheryfa Luna and Les Déesses. In parallel, Mabanza taught hip hop dance classes in studios[6] around Paris and dance workshops all around Europe[7] and Canada. Later on he became a judge for international dance competitions and conventions such as "Dance World Cup", IDance Convention[8] and "5.6.7.8 Showtime".

In 2011, Mabanza partnered with Samsung and starred in a series of advertising campaigns for their new 7 Series notebook PC Slate.[9][10]

That same year, Mabanza and the hip hop dancer Diablo (Also known as the duo “Speedylegz and Diablo”) landed 2ndplace in the first season of the TV Show La Meilleure Danse.

In 2012, Mabanza booked his first world tour with Madonna, The MDNA tour. He appeared in her music video "Turn Up the Radio" directed by Tom Munro and performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

In 2013, Mabanza left Criminalz Crew and moved to the United States traveling between New York and Los Angeles to further pursue his career.[11]

He choreographed and performed for Martin Solveig during Electric Zoo 2013 in Randall's Island. Mabanza also performed with Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj at the BET Awards 2013[12] and later that year danced for Chris brown again at Powerhouse 106 in Philadelphia. Mabanza appeared in Fergie's music video "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody" directed by Fatima Robinson.

In 2014, Mabanza performed with Usher for the world premiere of Michael Jackson’s single “Love Never Felt So Good” at the iHeartRadio Music Awards and danced in the music video featuring Justin Timberlake. Mabanza was also part of Michael Jackson World Premiere Experience “Slave to the Rhythm” at the 2014 Billboard music awards.

Mabanza appeared in Jane Zhang's music video "Forever" directed by Muh Chen[13] and performed alongside Zhang for her album "The seventh Sense" release party in Beijing.

Mabanza also performed with OneRepublic on the television show The Voice on NBC and later that year with Jennifer Hudson on the television show Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.

In 2015, Mabanza danced in Madonna's music videos "Living For Love" directed by J.A.C.K and "Bitch I'm Madonna" directed by Jonas Akerlund. He also performed with her at the 57th annual Grammy awards, The Brit Awards and in television shows such as The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Le grand Journal and the Jonathan Ross Show before embarking on The Rebel Heart Tour.

In 2016, Mabanza performed with Mariah Carey on her annual "All I want for Christmas is you" residency concert at the Beacon theater and later on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on ABC.

In 2017, Mabanza starred in the music video "Come Closer" by Wizkid featuring Drake directed by Alan Ferguson and in the music video "Falling" by Alesso directed by Henrik Hanson.

In 2018, Mabanza performed with Kendrick Lamar during the opening the 60th Annual Grammy Awards featuring U2 and Dave Chappelle. He also performed with Martin Solveig at L'Olympia in Paris and was the choreographer for Kat Deluna's music video "Nueva Actitud" directed by Lanz Pierce.[14]

In 2019, Mabanza joined forces with Madonna once again to perform at the 64th Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv and later that year went on The Madame X Tour[15]

In addition, Mabanza is also a movement director who choreographed for the True Religion campaign starring Joan Smalls directed by Steven Klein, for Fergie's music video "Enchanté" starring Kendall Jenner directed by Bruno Ilogti and for V Magazine "Holiday Video" starring Chanel Iman directed by Justin Wu.[16]

Modeling career

Mabanza has been featured in various television, web and print advertising campaigns including Louis Vuitton,[17] Givenchy, Levi’s,[18] Carolina Herrera, Swarovski, Diesel,[19]Timberland,[20] Kenneth Cole,[21] Theory, John John denim, Geox,[22] Toyota, IBM, Samsung,[23] Cabi online, MDNA Skin and Sixpad

Mabanza has appeared in editorial for Vogue Germany,[24] Vogue Arabia,[25] W Magazine,[26] V Magazine,[27] GQ,[2] Harper’s Bazaar Brazil, Men’s Health,[28] Geoir magazine, Wad Magazine, Spirit and Flesh, Wonderland Magazine and has been on the cover for several magazines such has Modern Luxury,[29] DC, Atlantan, Crush Fanzine[30] and Geox Magazine.

Mabanza walked and performed in several fashion shows such as Ralph Lauren, En Noir,[31]Ami Paris,[32] Calvin Luo and Cavalera[33]

In addition, Mabanza and Lil Buck performed for Valentino at a dinner hosted by Giancarlo Giammetti in honor of the designer’s new book, “Valentino: At the Emperor’s Table."[34]

in 2018, Mabanza was paired with the Brazilian model Isabeli Fontana in a live performance exhibition orchestrated and captured by Marcos Mello during Art Basel in Miami Beach.[35][36]

Acting and Filmmaking career

Mabanza started his acting journey in 2008 in a small theater company in Saint-Brice-sous-Forêt playing in a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare's play Othello.

He directed his first short film in 2012 while being on The MDNA tour. Later that year, Mabanza acted in the short film “Secretprojectrevolution” co-directed by Madonna and Steven Klein.

A year later, Mabanza studied acting with Susan Batson in New York. He then produced and starred in the short films “Extraction” and "Kinesis",[37] both directed by Venkay films.

In 2016, Mabanza wrote, produced and starred in “Myles Raven”, a short film that he co-directed with Roodmy Poulard.[38]

In 2017, Mabanza co-starred alongside Lupita Nyong'o[39] in the short film directed by Francesco Carrozini and produced by Jay-Z. Mabanza also directed and produced the music video "T.A.K." by Patrick Toussaint.

In 2018, Mabanza landed a role in "The Kitchen", a feature film directed by Andrea Berloff starring Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish and Elisabeth Moss.[40]

In 2022, Mabanza appeared in the Disney+ miniseries Moon Knight playing Bek, the bodyguard and henchman of Anton Mogart, portrayed by Gaspard Ulliel in the episodes "The Friendly Type" and "The Tomb".[41]

Mabanza is the founder of Mabanza Entertainment, a film production company.[42]

Other ventures

In 2017, Mabanza partnered with Kenneth Cole and Raising Malawi, a charity non-profit organization to create a program that will help and inspire kids from orphanages to turn their lives around by finding their purposes in life.[43]

Mabanza is also a mixed martial arts practitioner and fitness enthusiast.

Music videos

References

  1. ↑ "Loic Mabanza, Professional dancer, actor, filmmaker and fashion model". Soul Artist Management. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  2. 1 2 "The Real-Life Diet of Loic Mabanza, Madonna's Secret Weapon". GQ. Archived from the original on 2020-07-24.
  3. ↑ "Loic Mabanza is a French professional dancer, choreographer, actor, filmmaker, fashion model". Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  4. ↑ "Exclusive: Loic Mabanza Talks Fashion, Madonna + Style". The Fashionisto. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  5. ↑ "Le danseur Speedylegz tout en fluidité". Vanksen. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  6. ↑ "Speedylegz, professeur a l'agence Dancefloor". Quimper ma ville. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  7. ↑ "Hip-hop. Loïc Mabanza, prof accessible". Le Telegramme. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  8. ↑ "Loic Mabanza faculty member at Idance convention". IDance Convention. Archived from the original on 2021-01-19.
  9. ↑ "Samsung Series 7 Slate PC "Limitless Creativity" Commercial featuring Loic Mabanza (AKA SpeedyLegz)". Adstasher. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  10. ↑ "SpeedyLegz possède un jeu de jambes et des mouvements qui n'appartiennent qu'à lui". Gentside. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  11. ↑ "BEHIND THE SCENES + MADE TO FLEX: LOIC MABANZA". Timberland. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  12. ↑ "Find talented individuals represented by bloc new york city: Loic Mabanza". Bloc NYC. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  13. ↑ "Jane Zhang and Madonna dancers: Forever". Archived from the original on 2020-11-25.
  14. ↑ "Kat Deluna "Nueva Actitud" choreographed by Loic Mabanza". Archived from the original on 2021-01-23.
  15. ↑ "Loïc Mabanza, le danseur de Persan qui accompagne Madonna dans ses tournées mondiales". Le Parisien. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  16. ↑ "V Magazine Holiday video". Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  17. ↑ "Louis Vuitton campaign featuring Sophie Turner, Justin Theroux, Liu Haoran, Liya Kebede and Loïc Mabanza". Les Facons. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  18. ↑ "Loic Mabanza in Live in Levi's worldwide campaign". Archived from the original on 2021-08-12.
  19. ↑ "Timberland Killington collection". ONE CLUB. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  20. ↑ "Timberland "Made to Flex" features superstars of dance: Loic Mabanza, Jacob Pinto, Storyboard P, Dassy Lee and Marie & Keone". Creative Pool. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  21. ↑ "CAMPAIGN THE COURAGEOUS CLASS: FALL 2017: Loic Mabanza". Kenneth Cole. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  22. ↑ "Loic Mabanza Dancing In The Rain By Geox". Si Coppelia Visteria De Prada. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  23. ↑ "Speedylegz (Loic Mabanza) danse pour Samsung". Archived from the original on 2020-12-05.
  24. ↑ "Loic Mabanza in Vogue Germany shot by Luigi and Iango". Anne of Carversville. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  25. ↑ "Loic Mabanza from Hassan Hajjaj's series My Rockstars". Vogue Arabia. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  26. ↑ "Caroline Trentini feat Loic Mabanza and Brahim Zaibat for W Magazine by Tom Munro". Fashiontography. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  27. ↑ "Chanel Iman for V Magazine Holiday Video featuring Adrien Galo and Loic Mabanza". Design Scene. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  28. ↑ "Loic Mabanza for Men's Health Magazine". Heavy artillery. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  29. ↑ "Loic Mabanza takes both Covers of Modern Luxury Magazine by Olivia Graham". Soul Artist Management. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  30. ↑ "Loic Mabanza on the cover of the 10th anniversary issue of Crush Fanzine". Crush Fanzine. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  31. ↑ "Loic Mabanza opens for AMI during fashion week". GQ. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  32. ↑ "Loic Mabanza opens for Ami Alexandre Mattiussi". Vogue UK. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  33. ↑ ""É mais difícil dançar para Madonna", diz dançarino sobre estreia no SPFW... - Veja mais em". UOL. Archived from the original on 2021-08-12.
  34. ↑ "Loic Mabanza and Lil Buck perform for Valentino". Vogue Arabia. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  35. ↑ "Cavallaria Exhibition by Marcos Mello at W South Beach feat Loic Mabanza and Isabeli Fontana". Archived from the original on 2021-01-27.
  36. ↑ "art Basel 2018 feat Loic Mabanza and Isabeli Fontana". Archived from the original on 2021-01-27.
  37. ↑ "KINESIS, the film starring dancer Loic Mabanza". Wonderland Magazine. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
  38. ↑ "Myles Raven IMDB". Archived from the original on 2021-08-12.
  39. ↑ "Manyfacegod starring Lupita Nyongo and Loic Mabanza". IMDB. Archived from the original on 2021-08-12.
  40. ↑ "Loic Mabanza filmography". IMDB. Archived from the original on 2021-08-12.
  41. ↑ Elvy, Craig (April 13, 2022). "Moon Knight Episode 3 Easter Eggs & Marvel References Explained". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Mabanza Entertainment". Archived from the original on 2021-08-12.
  43. ↑ "Heroic Loic". Kenneth Cole. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28.
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