Today In Black History: Charm La'Donna
The Visionary Choreographer Redefining Dance and Entertainment
Issue #993 Today In Black History, Monday, February 16, 2026
If you enjoyed the Super Bowl Halftime Shows by Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny, you didn’t see or hear the person responsible for the extraordinary choreography: Charm La’Donna from Compton!
Her professional story is fascinating.
Charm La’Donna, born Charmaine La’Donna Jordan on May 14, 1988, in Compton, California, has become one of the most influential choreographers in the entertainment industry, and she’s not yet 40! Her journey from a young dancer discovering her passion at age three to an Emmy-nominated creative force demonstrates the power of dedication, artistry, and the ability to break barriers in a competitive field.
Growing up in Compton, La’Donna developed a relationship with dance early. She performed her first solo in kindergarten, setting the stage for a career that would eventually captivate audiences worldwide.
Her early exposure to movement and performance became the foundation for her distinctive creative vision—one that blends technical precision with emotional storytelling and cultural authenticity.
La’Donna’s professional breakthrough came through her mentorship under renowned choreographer Fatima Robinson, with whom she worked for approximately eight years. This apprenticeship proved invaluable, providing her with industry knowledge and professional experience.
However, La’Donna’s ambition extended beyond being an assistant. She began taking on independent projects, including her work on Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass,” which marked a turning point in her career. This project allowed her to establish herself as a creative force in her own right, rather than solely as someone’s protégé.
La’Donna began building her portfolio with high-profile artists, eventually working with some of music’s most influential voices. Her collaborations have included Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, Selena Gomez, Rosalía, Shakira, Madonna, and Pharrell Williams. Each project showcased her ability to adapt her creative vision to different artistic styles while maintaining her signature approach to movement and storytelling.
One of La’Donna’s most notable achievements is her work on Super Bowl halftime shows, which have become the pinnacle of live performance choreography. She choreographed The Weeknd’s Super Bowl LV halftime show and contributed to Beyoncé’s groundbreaking Beyoncé Bowl performance. Recently, she choreographed the halftime shows for Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny, two of the most-watched and streamed in NFL history.
These massive productions require not only exceptional choreographic skill but also the ability to manage complex logistics, coordinate large ensembles, and create moments that resonate with millions of viewers worldwide.
Beyond Super Bowl performances, La’Donna has choreographed Grammy Awards appearances, world tours, and music videos that have garnered critical acclaim. Her work on Kendrick Lamar’s “Rich Spirit” and “Not Like Us” music videos demonstrated her ability to create bold, innovative choreography that complements an artist’s vision while standing as an artistic statement in its own right. She has also expanded into creative direction, working on campaigns for major brands and contributing choreography to Netflix productions like “The Perfect Couple.”
In 2025, La’Donna’s contributions to the industry were recognized with two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming, including one for her work on Beyoncé Bowl. This recognition places her among an elite group of choreographers, including legends like Debbie Allen and Chloé Arnold, who have received Emmy recognition for their work.
What sets La’Donna apart is her multifaceted approach to creativity. She doesn’t limit herself to a single title or role. She describes herself as a creative director, choreographer, dancer, and artist—refusing to be confined by traditional industry categories.
This philosophy extends to her personal artistry as well. In 2021, she released her first music project, “La’Donna,” stepping into the spotlight as a recording artist and songwriter. This move represented her desire to express herself fully as an artist, not just as someone who creates movement for others.
La’Donna also serves as an inspiration to aspiring dancers and choreographers. She has spoken about the importance of representation and ensuring that young Black girls understand their own magic and potential.
Today, the work of Charm La’Donna continues to push boundaries in dance, choreography, and creative direction, representing the evolution of commercial dance—blending technical excellence with artistic vision, cultural authenticity, and innovative storytelling.
Today In Black History
In 1857, Frederick Douglass was elected president of the Freedman Bank and Trust.
In 1923, Bessie Smith made her first recording, “Down Hearted Blues,” which sold 800,000 copies for Columbia Records.
In 1951, the New York City Council passed a bill prohibiting racial discrimination in city-assisted housing developments.
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