Jeffrey Daniel, legendary dancer and member of the R&B group Shalamar, has revealed how he introduced Michael Jackson to the moonwalk, the move that became the King of Pop’s signature.
Speaking in an interview on Channels TV on Thursday, Daniel explained that Jackson first noticed him performing the “backslide”—later renamed the moonwalk—on Soul Train in 1979 while dancing with his group, Eclipse.
“In 1980, Michael came to Disneyland to watch us perform. He brought little Janet Jackson with him, and they stood in the wing watching us dance. Then he asked me to teach him,” Daniel said.
Daniel went on to collaborate with Jackson for over two decades, contributing choreography to classics such as Beat It, Smooth Criminal, Ghosts, and They Don’t Really Care About Us. He also worked at Jackson’s record label, MJJ Music, as an A&R and creative consultant.
In a surprising revelation, Daniel disclosed that he and Jackson were cousins—something he only discovered in 2008. “All the years we were working together, I never knew we were related. My father later showed me my family tree, and I found out I’m Michael’s cousin,” he said.
Daniel added that he now shares a close bond with the Jackson family, often speaking with Janet, Jermaine, Randy, and Rebbie.
Michael Jackson, celebrated worldwide as the King of Pop, remains one of music’s most influential figures, with Daniel’s choreography helping shape the visual power of his legendary performances and music videos.
