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Brian Alexa Friedman (also known as "B Free" or "Be Free"), born in Scottsdale, Arizona on May 28, 1977 is a popular American choreographer. He also has his own line of BFree shoes and clothes.

Early life

Friedman spent most of his youth in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he learned to become a dancer. His mother taught dance at a local college, and Brian says he used to observe in the back of the room trying the steps.^[1] While accompanying a friend to Los Angeles who was taking classes, an agent spotted Friedman and signed him on the spot.^[1] He left Scottsdale at age 12, and after dropping out of high school, he became a professional dancer at the age of 16. Spending most of his time in LA, he learned under the instruction of Doug Caldwell, Joe Tremaine, Barry Lather, Jackie Sleight. As he grew older, he says he found new mentors in Kenny Ortega, Vince Patterson, and Bill and Jackie Landrum. He also studied with Twyla Tharp. Friedman went on to became a dance teacher like his mom, Judi, and taught competition classes. Friedman also co-owned the dance studio with his mother, called Dance Source, which closed in 2000 so he could focus full-time on choreography.^[1]

Career

Friedman has choreographed for many of the world's most popular musicians and dancers. His credits include Britney Spears' videos, "Overprotected", "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", and "Toxic", as well as her Dream Within a Dream tour. Friedman has also worked on 'N Sync's "Pop" (assistant to Wade Robson), Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice", (assistant & Christopher Walken's dance double), Samantha Mumba's "Baby Come on Over", Monica's "Just Another Girl", P!nk's "Most Girls", Chayanne's "Boom Boom", M2M's "Don't Say You Love Me" and Prince's "Betcha by Golly Wow!".

He has been a judge for the hit Fox series So You Think You Can Dance (including for the season 2 finale), and choreographed an episode of That 70's Show. Friedman also choreographed for the feature film, National Lampoon's Pledge This!, and a dance routine for the Burlesque group, The Bombshells, featuring Carmen Electra, for a VMA after-party.

Friedman appeared as a judge on ITV's reality show Grease Is The Word (Britain) in which they tried to find a new Sandy and Danny for the West End production of Grease. Shortly after, Friedman was appointed as a new judge on hit UK talent show The X Factor along with Dannii Minogue, replacing former judge Louis Walsh after he left in March 2007. The shift did not last long, however, as Walsh returned to the show's judging panel and Friedman changed his role to "creative director," specializing in choreography. Brian has always been open about his sexually and has happily announced many times that he is gay and has been in a relationship for many years with his gay partner.

In 2003 Friedman was nominated for an MTV VMA for Best Choreography for Mýa's "My Love Is Like...Wo" video.

Filmography

Friedman's film credits include Rockstar, Rat Race, Charlie's Angels, She's All That, Metal God, Bubble Boy, I'll Do Anything and Newsies.

Friedman has also appeared on shows such as VH1's Divas Live 2003 with Beyoncé, Jewel, Ashanti, and Queen Latifah, The Billboard Awards, various MTV shows including Total Britney Live, MTV Making the Video, the VMA's, Icon: Janet Jackson (assistant choreographer as well as dancer with Pink, Mýa & Usher), and MTV 10 with Michael Jackson. He has also worked on The Grammy Awards, Moesha, The Parkers, Grown Ups, The Nikki Cox Show, The Tonight Show, Soul Train Awards, Kids Choice Awards, Today Show, Nickelodeon Birthday Bash with Jordan Knight, Live! with Regis & Kathie Lee, Good Morning America and Rock the Cradle.^[2]^[3]

Friedman has also choreographed the MTV Movie Awards featuring Pink, choreographed Mýa, in her "My Love is Like...Wo" video, Hilary Duff's "So Yesterday" video, and two of Aaron Carter's tours. He also recently danced in the iPod rock commercial.^[3]

References

Articles

"Brian Friedman, Where have you been?" Portrait of the choreographer, movement magazine - "Got Fame?" Issue - Fall 2007

www.myspace.com/brianfriedman

[danceruniverse.com-1] ttp://danceruniverse.com/stories/issues/200702/feb-kids/

[2] ttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0295166/

[brianfriedmanfreestyle.com-3] ttp://www.brianfriedmanfreestyle.com/

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 He has been a judge for the hit [[Fox]] series [[So You Think You Can Dance]] (including for the season 2 finale), and choreographed an episode of ''[[That 70's Show]]''. Friedman also choreographed for the feature film, ''[[National Lampoon's Pledge This!]]'', and a dance routine for the [[Burlesque]] group, [[The Bombshells]], featuring [[Carmen Electra]], for a VMA after-party.
-Friedman appeared as a judge on ITV's reality show [[Grease Is The Word]] (Britain) in which they tried to find a new Sandy and Danny for the West End production of Grease. Shortly after, Friedman was appointed as a new judge on hit UK talent show ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]'' along with [[Dannii Minogue]], replacing former judge [[Louis Walsh]] after he left in March 2007. The shift did not last long, however, as Walsh returned to the show's judging panel and Friedman changed his role to "creative director," specializing in choreography.
+Friedman appeared as a judge on ITV's reality show [[Grease Is The Word]] (Britain) in which they tried to find a new Sandy and Danny for the West End production of Grease. Shortly after, Friedman was appointed as a new judge on hit UK talent show ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]'' along with [[Dannii Minogue]], replacing former judge [[Louis Walsh]] after he left in March 2007. The shift did not last long, however, as Walsh returned to the show's judging panel and Friedman changed his role to "creative director," specializing in choreography. Brian has always been open about his sexually and has happily announced many times that he is gay and has been in a relationship for many years with his gay partner.
 In 2003 Friedman was nominated for an [[MTV Video Music Awards|MTV VMA]] for Best Choreography for [[Mýa]]'s "[[My Love Is Like...Wo]]" video.