Mariah, Bowie & me
claiming damages. The lawsuit was withdrawn in 1994 and an undisclosed settlement reached.
“I didn’t know if I’d work again,” he admits. “But the industry respected what I did. Even Michael Jackson and Cher told me, ‘good for you – you stood up for yourself ’.
“Madonna taught us to stand up for ourselves and I did, even in the face of her.” While Madonna has been scathing about her modern imitator, Lady Gaga, California-born Kevin loved working with the eccentric star.
“I like Lady Gaga’s ambition and her devotion to her music.
“And David Bowie was so kind. Usually the most famous people I meet are very gracious, nice and down to earth.”
But the biggest diva Kevin danced with was Mariah Carey – who hates having the left side of her face filmed. “We were doing a Pepsi ad together and her right side was being shot. A photographer wandered to her left side and she called out, ‘Somebody’s going to get fired’.”
Blond Ambition changed Kevin’s life on a personal level too. He had a girlfriend – but they broke up when he went on tour.
“It wasn’t until after the tour that I realised I’m gay and that it’s fine,” he says. And despite the legal battles, Kevin He is the best. He sent all the dancers a note with a flower. has nothing but fond memories of his time with Madonna. “Since the lawsuit, I’ve seen her once,” he says. “I bumped into her in LA in 2000, while I was having dinner. There was no anger.” And he wishes he could thank her for giving him his big break. “I’d like to say to her, ‘I love you, thank you for one of the best experiences of my life’.” Kevin will be at the UK premiere of Strike A Pose on Friday at the Sheffield Documentary Festival. sheffdocfest.com