Season 2, Ep. 3 | Jamal Sims: A Journey of Creative Excellence
In this episode of The More Elephant Podcast, I sit down with Jamal Sims. Jamal’s story begins in Southern California, where he taught himself to dance by recording MTV videos on old-school VHS tapes and studying Soul Train on Saturday mornings.
What started as a kid emulating moves in his living room turned into a remarkable career that includes performing with Michael Jackson, choreographing for Usher and Madonna, going on tour with Miley Cyrus, shaping films like Aladdin and Encanto, and building a creative family with RuPaul.
We dig into how manifestation has guided his path. From childhood dreams to Emmy nominations, Jamal talks about what it meant to have a father who supported him without hesitation, even when he was dancing with RuPaul in Las Vegas at a time when that kind of acceptance was far from guaranteed. He explains why soul is at the heart of everything he creates and why authenticity matters more than flashy moves.
Jamal also shares the joy and challenges of transitioning from dancer to choreographer to director, and how loyalty, resilience, and vision have fueled his success. Whether he is creating choreography for Miley in front of a stadium crowd, reimagining classics for Disney at the Hollywood Bowl, or directing for television, Jamal continues to lead with passion and purpose.
This conversation is about much more than dance and choreography. It is about courage, identity, purposefulness and the power of staying true to yourself while creating art that moves people on every level.
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Show Notes
Jamal Sims is an Emmy-nominated choreographer, director, and executive producer whose visionary work has redefined entertainment across film, television, stage, and music. From Encanto and Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies to 13: The Musical and the iconic Step Up franchise, Sims has created movement that inspires and resonates worldwide.
As the longtime resident choreographer on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Sims has helped shape a cultural phenomenon, bringing authenticity, creativity, and joy to one of television’s most beloved stages. His directorial debut, the award-winning documentary When the Beat Drops, showcased his passion for storytelling and earned the prestigious 2018 Outfest Outstanding Documentary Award.
Jamal’s artistry has been recognized with multiple Primetime Emmy nominations, celebrating his versatility across both scripted and live productions. His choreography has been honored for RuPaul’s Drag Race, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration, and Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl. Most recently, he was nominated for his breathtaking work on The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl, including the unforgettable “He Lives in You” routine.
The Hollywood Bowl has become a signature stage for Sims’s brilliance. From RENT at the Hollywood Bowl to his Emmy-nominated choreography for Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl and The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl, Jamal has transformed timeless stories into electrifying live spectacles, captivating audiences and critics alike.
With each project, Jamal continues to push boundaries, celebrate diversity, and create art that moves both hearts and culture.
Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:
Jamal’s choreography stands out not just for technical precision, but for the groove, feeling, and storytelling that bring movement to life.
From dancer to choreographer to director, Jamal shows that growth comes from curiosity, patience, and being willing to bet on yourself.
His father’s simple words — “Is he paying you? Then I’ll see you in Vegas” — gave Jamal the confidence to step fully into who he is.
Jamal built his foundation by learning choreography off MTV and Soul Train, proving that resourcefulness and consistency can take you far.
and more…
More About Jamal Sims:
Transcript
More Elephant Intro
[00:00:38] Jason Rudman: So, our guest on the More Elephant Podcast today is Jamal Sims, a self-taught dancer whose resume is ridiculous, right? So, I love it when I meet people that have got a unique talent – Jamal is probably a quadruple threat. I know, at least Jamal, you're a director, a choreographer, a producer, we'll add all around great human being to all of that as well.
So that's four. That's probably a bunch of stuff that I don’t know about. What I'm excited about is the journey we're about to go on, hearing from you about your career, your passion, how you got started, and more importantly, what the art of choreography and dance teaches the world in this moment about diversity, inclusion, belonging…what it can teach the young kids of tomorrow about finding their place and expressing themselves in one of the best ways possible.
So, thrilled you here. We're gonna have some fun.
[00:01:32] Jamal Sims: Thank you for having me.
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