Everything we know about Parris Goebel, the choreographer behind Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime show

Parris Goebel was born in New Zealand and taught herself how to dance by mimicking music videos as a kid.

Goebel, who is half Polynesian and half European, told Dazed in November 2020 that she learned how to dance by mimicking music videos from artists like Missy Elliot. In a separate April 2017 interview with Dance Spirit, Goebel said she dropped out of school at 15 to pursue dance full-time. 

She wanted to join a dance company, Goebel told the outlet, but there were only two near her: one that was wasn't very good, and one all-boys crew. So she made her own.

"I asked my dad, 'Who's going to choreograph?' He said, 'You!" I said, 'Who will mix the music?' He said, 'You can,'" Goebel, 31, said. "So I got my friends together to train in my auntie's garage."

Her father later realized that his daughter's group needed a real studio to practice at, so he founded The Palace Dance Studio in 2009, which houses the Royal Family Dance Crew. 

 

 

Goebel said Jennifer Lopez helped her break into the industry at 19 years old.

Goebel spoke about her relationship with Lopez in a February 2020 interview with The New York Times. 

"Jen gave me my first job in the industry when I was about 19 years old. She was the first global artist to book me," Goebel told the NYT. "I was still living in New Zealand at the time. She really nurtured me as an artist." 

Billboard reported that Goebel choreographed Lopez's "Goin' In" music video in 2012, as well as her "American Idol" performance and part of her world tour that year. In 2020, Goebel co-choreographed Lopez's and Shakira's Super Bowl Halftime Show.

In October 2015, Goebel starred in and choreographed Justin Bieber's "Sorry" music video.

Goebel has also worked with Bieber on other music videos, including "Where Are Ü Now" and "Yummy," according to her IMDb.

The dancer has also worked with Janet Jackson, Shakira, SZA, and other high-profile artists. 

Goebel has also had a hand in politics. The choreographer was appointed New Zealand's Entertainment and Cultural Curator for the 2020 World Expo by former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in August 2019.

New Zealand's 1 News reported that Goebel was tasked with organizing which artists and creative initiatives the country would showcase at the 2020 World Expo in Dubai. Goebel told the outlet that the appointment was an "honour." 

"It's actually one of the things I value more than any other job I've done. To be able to represent my country, to be able to curate something that as a little girl I would've dreamed of," Goebel said. 

In July 2020, Goebel was honored with the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to dance.

Goebel celebrated the achievement in a now-deleted Instagram post, according to Australian fashion magazine Ruush. 

"To receive this recognition and title for my service to dance is such an honour," Goebel wrote.

According to Ruush, the Order of Merit is awarded to individuals "who have become distinguished for their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits." 

Goebel is credited with choreographing every Savage x Fenty fashion show since Rihanna's first in 2018.

Goebel explained that she and Rihanna have "awesome chemistry" in a November 2022 interview with Harper's Bazaar.

"She's a friend and a sister first, so she genuinely cares about me as a person, not just an artist, and I think that comes through in our work," Goebel said. 

She added: "She really gives me the freedom to create and express myself as a woman." 

 

 

Savage x Fenty isn't the only designer brand that Goebel has worked with. Her résumé includes Dior, Alexander McQueen, and more.

Goebel has made a name for herself in the fashion industry, including in Dior Parfums' #DiorStandsWthWomen campaign in September 2020. She also participated in the Alexander McQueen fashion show in March 2022. 

 

Goebel often weaves dance and modeling while walking designer fashion shows.

Goebel brought her unique moves to the catwalk during New York Fashion Week at The Blonds show in February 2022. 

 

In September 2022, Goebel won an Emmy for her work on "Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3."

Goebel received an award for outstanding choreography for variety or reality programming. 

The New Zealand Herald reported that Goebel had been nominated for an Emmy twice — both for her work on previous Savage X Fenty shows — before she snagged the coveted award. 

"As I left the stage I bursted into tears as I remembered how hard I worked and how much physical and emotional pain I had to push past to complete the show's choreography," Goebel wrote on Instagram. "As you climb the mountain of your dreams, you will be greatly challenged…but your passion, strength and LOVE for what you do will override anything standing in your way."

Goebel also choreographed Rihanna's return to the stage for the 2023 Super Bowl halftime show.

In an Instagram post, Goebel shared an inside look at her creative process after Rihanna's halftime show. 

"A little girl from Barbados and a little girl from New Zealand grew up into boss bitches and took over the Super Bowl half time show together," Goebel wrote in a separate Instagram post. "We far from home but we made it!!!! I love you 4L????????Let's do this sis."