Beyoncé's Choreographer JaQuel Knight Explains How "Beychella" Came to Be
Creating Beyoncé's internet-stopping Coachella performance required the utmost secrecy and lots of coordination, said the singer's longtime collaborator and creative director, JaQuel Knight.
"It's so much work that goes into it, from working with all the different departments, it's lighting, it's wardrobe, it's choreography, it's content, it's secrets, and keeping it on the hush." said Knight in an interview Tuesday on Cheddar. "So much time prepping in our small black hole, it felt like I was giving birth Saturday night to a baby that we had been creating for a long time now."
Knight, 28, has worked closely with Beyoncé for years: He led the team that put together her Coachella performance, which fans have dubbed Beychella, and he was the creative director and choreographer for her iconic 2008 ["Single Ladies"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m1EFMoRFvY) video. He also choreographed her two Super Bowl performances.
He started out as a dancer before becoming a choreographer, and said that some of the artists with whom he works are more involved than others in different aspects of the performance.
"You have artists that are more involved and it's like, 'OK what's next?' and 'how can we do this and this a little bit more?'" he said. "And then you have people that are like, 'great, let's do this.'"
Knight was named one of [Forbes' 30 Under 30](https://www.forbes.com/profile/jaquel-knight/?list=30under30-music) and is the first choreographer to be included on the list.
"Forbes was a big thing that I was going after this past year, just because it solidifies me not only as a creative, but as a businessman," said Knight.
He is now hard at work on Beyoncé and Jay-Z's "On The Run II" tour, which is scheduled for the summer.
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/jaquel-knight-shares-behind-the-scenes-secrets-from-beyonces-coachella-performance).
New controversy emerges in the MLB surrounding comments from commissioner Rob Manfred. While speaking to reporters before game one of the World Series, Manfred shrugged off questions about the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal, and also offered support for the Atlanta Braves to keep its name, which the National Congress of American Indians has already condemned. Forbes SportsMoney senior contributor Maurey Brown joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss this and other storylines in the MLB.
Comedian and actor Phoebe Robinson joins Cheddar News to discuss her latest HBO Max Special, 'Sorry, Harriet Tubman.' The comedian also talked her new partnership with LG and OkCupid, helping people find their 'laundry love.'
On this episode of 'Cheddar Innovates': President of iCAD breaks down how its technology is being used as a short-term breast cancer risk estimation for women; A look at Curiosity Stream's 'The Science of Thrills.'
Dems race for a deal on President Biden's economic agenda ahead of his big foreign trip. What to make of the latest threat assessment in Afghanistan. Plus, the meme cryptocurrency of the moment that's now worth more than many Fortune 500 companies.
The U.S. has now joined a handful of countries that allow a gender designation other than 'male' or 'female' on passports. Chris Johnson, White House Reporter for the Washington Blade, joined Cheddar to discuss.
Elissa Nadworny, NPR correspondent on higher education, joins Cheddar News to discuss a recent report finding COVID-19 has impacted college enrollment, notching the largest two-year decline in 50 years.
Two recent studies by Conference Board, ESGauge, and Spencer Stuart find that the number of Black directors at S&P 500 companies is growing, but more needs to be done in order to see real gains in the boardroom. Jerusha Stewart, CEO of Take Your Seat joins Cheddar News to discuss what more needs to be done for a more inclusive workplace.
