Speaking in an interview on Channels TV on Thursday, Daniel explained that the move, originally known as the “backslide,” was first showcased by his dance group, Eclipse, on the American television show Soul Train in 1979.
“Michael saw me doing the backslide in ’79 on Soul Train,” Daniel recalled, noting that Jackson’s curiosity about the move marked the beginning of a creative partnership that would last for decades.
By 1980, Jackson had personally reached out to Daniel after watching him perform live at Disneyland. “He brought little Janet Jackson and they stood in the wing and watched us dance. Then he asked me to teach him to dance,” Daniel said.
The collaboration blossomed into a long-term relationship that saw Daniel choreograph some of Jackson’s most memorable works, including the music videos for Beat It and Smooth Criminal. He also worked on projects like They Don’t Really Care About Us in Brazil and Ghosts, cementing his place in the evolution of Jackson’s artistry.
“I worked with Michael over a 20-year period, and the last job I had in America was at MJJ Music, his record company, as A&R and creative consultant,” Daniel revealed.
In a surprising twist, the veteran dancer disclosed that he later discovered he and the King of Pop were cousins—a fact he only learned in 2008 after seeing his family tree.
“Because my father didn’t raise me, but in 2008, my father showed me my family tree, and I found out that I’m Michael’s cousin. So all the years we were working together, I never knew that we were related to the Jacksons,” he said. “We now call each other cousin all the time. We speak — Jermaine Jackson, Janet, Randy, and Rebe. We call each other cousins all the time.”
Michael Jackson, who passed away in 2009, is still regarded as one of the greatest entertainers of all time. His groundbreaking choreography, electrifying performances, and record-breaking albums—including Thriller, the world’s best-selling album—remain unmatched in popular music.
For Daniel, his role in shaping Jackson’s legacy is not only a professional achievement but also a deeply personal connection, one that continues to resonate in the history of global pop culture.