Vincent Paterson to Receive Legacy Award at 2026 World Choreography Awards
Choreographer and director Vincent Paterson will be honored with the Legacy Award at the 2026 World Choreography Awards on November 8.
Vincent Paterson will receive the Legacy Award at the 2026 World Choreography Awards. The ceremony will take place on November 8 at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles. Paterson, a choreographer, director, dancer, and creative director, is being recognized for his extensive contributions across film, music videos, concert tours, television, Broadway, opera, and commercials.
His work with Michael Jackson is legendary. Paterson choreographed the iconic 'Smooth Criminal' and worked on the short films from the 'Bad' era. He also choreographed the 'Black Or White' music video and directed and choreographed the 'Blood On The Dance Floor' short film. His collaborations extended to live performances for Jackson's 'Bad' World Tour, the 1992 MTV 10th Anniversary show, the 1993 Super Bowl halftime show, and other major television appearances. Earlier in his career, he served as a featured dancer and assistant choreographer on Jackson's 'Beat It' and 'Thriller' projects. Paterson also worked with Madonna on her groundbreaking 'Blond Ambition World Tour'. His film choreography credits include 'Evita', 'The Birdcage', 'Closer', 'Dancer in the Dark', 'Hook', 'The Mighty Quinn', and 'Mannequin'.
Event details and host confirmed
The 16th annual World Choreography Awards will be held at Avalon Hollywood. Kevin Stea will return to host the event and will also be among the performers during the ceremony. Stea, who appeared in the 'Black Or White' short film and later worked on Michael Jackson projects including 'Blood On The Dance Floor', is a fitting host for an evening honoring Paterson's legacy.
Nominees span film, TV, and digital categories
This year's nominees include choreographers behind major projects like 'Sinners', 'Kiss of the Spider Woman', 'The Life of Chuck', 'Wicked: For Good', 'Wednesday', 'Palm Royale', 'Saturday Night Live' and 'Dancing With the Stars'. The nominees are spread across eight competitive categories.
| Category | Nominees | Project(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Motion Picture | Aakomon Jones | 'Sinners' |
| Motion Picture | Christopher Scott | 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman', 'Gimme Love' |
| Motion Picture | Mandy Moore, Jonathan Redavid | 'The Life of Chuck' |
| Motion Picture | Jamal Sims, Kai Martinez | 'A Very Jonas Christmas Movie' |
| Motion Picture | Sergio Trujillo, Brandon Bieber, Morgan Marcel, Chris Hernandez | 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman' |
| Television Reality/Variety Show | Parris Goebel | 'Saturday Night Live' (Lady Gaga) |
| Television Reality/Variety Show | Jason Gilkison | 'Strictly Come Dancing' (Tango Takeover) |
| Television Reality/Variety Show | Robbie Blue, Bailey Holt | 'Saturday Night Live' (Tate McRae) |
| Television Reality/Variety Show | Jason Gilkison, Ashley Banjo | 'Strictly Come Dancing' ('Where Is My Husband!') |
| Television Reality/Variety Show | Derek Hough, Hayley Erbert, Chase Haley Bowden | 'Dancing With The Stars' (20th Birthday Party Night) |
| Television Award Show/Special | Christopher Scott | 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night' |
| Television Award Show/Special | Robbie Blue, Ashley Kole | 67th Grammys (Doechii) |
| Television Award Show/Special | Mandy Moore, Robert Roldan, Martha Nichols | 97th Academy Awards |
| Television Award Show/Special | Jamal Sims, Kai Martinez, Will B. Bell | 'The Lion King' at the Hollywood Bowl |
| Television Award Show/Special | Robbie Blue, Lucas DeBiasi, Marie Spieldenner | Video Music Awards (Tate McRae) |
| Television Episodic | Corey Baker | 'Wednesday' |
| Television Episodic | Marguerite Derricks | 'Étoile' |
| Television Episodic | Brooke Lipton | 'Palm Royale' |
| Television Episodic | Lance Guillermo, Danielle Sten | 'Will Trent' |
| Television Episodic | Paul Becker, Ryan Maw | 'A Week Away' |
| Music Video | Shay Latukolan | Jungle's 'Keep Me Satisfied' |
| Music Video | Vata, Ingyoo Kim, Silverspoon | Jennie's 'Like Jennie' |
| Music Video | Lindsey Blaufarb, Craig Hollamon | Scott Hoying's 'Pray' |
| Music Video | Robbie Blue, Marie Spieldenner | Doechii's 'Anxiety' |
| Music Video | Mandy Moore, Amanda Balen | Taylor Swift's 'The Fate of Ophelia' |
| Commercials | Noelle Marsh | DSW |
| Commercials | Sadie Wilking | GAP (Feels Like Gap) |
| Commercials | Tanisha Scott | Apple |
| Commercials | Dez Soliven, Gab Robert | Redken |
| Commercials | Robbie Blue, Lucas DeBiasi, Marie Spieldenner | Gap (Better in Denim) |
| Digital Content | Robert Roldan | USC |
| Digital Content | JA Collective | 'Robot Club' |
| Digital Content | Mark Ballas | 'I Did It My Way' |
| Digital Content | Fatima Robinson | 'Vogue World: Hollywood' |
| Digital Content | Christopher Scott | 'Wicked: For Good' at Target |
| Digital Content Independent | Malou Linders | 'Adele' |
| Digital Content Independent | Sergio Ries | 'Bittersuite' |
| Digital Content Independent | Paris Cavanagh | 'Purple Lace Bra' |
| Digital Content Independent | Erica Klein | 'Standing on the Horizon' |
| Digital Content Independent | Ricky Ubeda, Bella Tagle | 'It’s Not That Serious' |
Live performances to feature notable dancers
The awards ceremony will feature live performances by Chucky Klapow, Becca Sweitzer, Kevin Stea, Marie Poppins, Holden Maples, Erica Klein, and Kelly Sweeney. These performances will represent the eight competitive categories being honored.
Founder reflects on event’s significance
Allen Walls, founder and producer of the World Choreography Awards, said the event celebrates choreographers working across film, music videos, television, commercials and digital content. "This is an extraordinary one-night-only celebration bringing the world's most exceptional dance talent together on one stage," Walls said. He also noted that 'Dancing With the Stars' judge Derek Hough is among this year’s nominees.
Vincent Paterson will receive the Legacy Award during the ceremony on November 8 at the Avalon Hollywood.
