Beyoncé choreographer Karen McDonald has previously worked with Michael Jackson. (Ivy Park)
You may not be familiar with the name Karen McDonald, but Beyoncé’s choreographer is a person you’ll not soon forget.
The 64-year-old dancer is one of the new faces of the superstar singer’s Ivy Park fall 2017 campaign, which also features actress Laverne Cox.
“I got a phone call from her camp to tell me that she would very much like for me to be a representative of my age group in the new fashion campaign,” McDonald told The Telegraph Wednesday, Sept. 6. “I was, of course, delighted and said ‘Yes.'”
Fans have praised McDonald’s stunning photos online.
Today I found out that the dance teacher from my HS is not only a new face of ivy park but also beyonce's choreographer 😶 pic.twitter.com/rAojAWen4H
— Datesey (@hayallexx) September 7, 2017
Yes Ms. McDonald!!!
— V-Nasty (@MsHarvey2you) September 6, 2017
Come thru Aunty Karen 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
— Wray’s lost neice (@AmariBailey) September 7, 2017
The images of the dance instructor mark a shift for the athleisure line, which debuted last spring. At that time, younger models were the face of the campaign along with Queen Bey herself.
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“I think that fashion is a part of her art and she realized how important it is to reach all age groups within this era of female empowerment,” McDonald said. “When you see someone who is very powerful extending themselves, you feel inclined to [want to] be a part of that.”
Something McDonald has been a part of for more than four decades is teaching dance. Aside from collaborating with Bey, McDonald worked with Michael Jackson on his iconic “Thriller” video. She also has a prolific history on Broadway, including credits on “The Wiz,” “Purlie,” and “Two Gentlemen of Verona.” In addition, McDonald has spread her wings as director of two California dance studios, including the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.
“Success to me is that I started doing something at 11 and I’m still doing it passionately at 61,” McDonald told author Emmaly Wiederholt in the book, “Beauty is Experience: Dancing 50 and Beyond” in 2014.
“I think the success is to become an example for anyone who has a passion for something.”
