These days when you see a music video featuring hip-hop dancers with smooth moves, chances are Fatima choreographed it. With a resume that reads like Billboard's Hot 100, this 27-year-old club dancer has choreographed for such pop superstars as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Will Smith, Bobby Brown, Busta Rhymes, Brandy and many more. Out of all those names, however, five of her most favorite clients are the Backstreet Boys. Since the beginning, the Backstreet Boys have used Fatima's funky steps for videos, tours and award show performances. Read on to see what Fatima has to say about the young singing sensations!
 

Entertainment Asylum: When did you start working with the Backstreet Boys?
Fatima: The guys tracked me down after they saw my choreography in Brandy's "Baby" video. They sent me a videotape of a performance at Sea World or somewhere like that.

EA: How was it?
F: They had done their own choreography [laughs]. It was really cute. Nick [Carter] was sooo small. I just knew they were going to be hot, so I took it on at a lesser rate than I normally charge.

EA: How did your first session go?
F: They were a little intimidated. They hadn't really danced much before. My main thing with them is I never wanted them to look like they were white boys trying to be black or trying to be something that they're not. I just wanted everything to look natural.

EA: They've improved over the years, right?
F: Now they catch on so fast. But I'm always pushing them. Like when we did the MTV Awards. I showed them this one complicated move and they were like, "What!? You want us to do that?" I told them that if they didn't want the move, I'd give it to someone else. The next thing you know they were doing it in the show. But I tell you, Howie [Dorough] slipped during rehearsal and I held my breath the whole time.

EA: The guys certainly seem to appreciate you. In fact, they thanked you personally after winning a music video award.
F: It's cool because I've been with them since the very beginning and now we have this bond, like a brother and sister relationship.

EA: Do you fight like brothers and sisters?
F: Oh, we get into it, boy [laughs]. It's funny, we argue and the next thing you know we're hugging and it's cool. But I'm the only one who can talk to them like that.

EA: I hear you're choreographing their new videos and the upcoming Disney special. What's the new stuff like?
F: The album is really good. I really, really like it. My favorite songs are "Show Me the Meaning" and another up-tempo song called "Gotta Be You." I'm actually a little disappointed that the first single isn't a big dance video. But I'm looking forward to doing the second single, which is a big, big dance video. "Show Me the Meaning" is such a beautiful song. It has a slight Latin feel and I want to do a different style of dancing for them.

EA: Have you started coming up with new steps yet?
F: We're adding 10 dancers for their upcoming European tour. And we plan to incorporate some acting pieces within the performance.

EA: I see you have your own Web site. Do you post Backstreet Boys pictures?
F: Yeah, it's cool. There are pictures from the video shoots that nobody's seen. There are pictures of the guys and me ...

EA: You'll get a million visitors just by that alone. What's the address?
F: It's www.gofatima.com. We will always be updating it. We just put up a picture from the new Will Smith video I choreographed for his new film Wild, Wild West. I got Will to do a little country two-steppin' [laughs].

EA: You know, Fatima, with your talent, looks and connections, it seems you're poised to be the Paula Abdul of the '90s. When are you going to move in front of the camera?
F: [laughs] Oh thanks, but I'm a behind-the-scenes person. And I'm definitely not into the singing thing. I don't have the vocals at all. I couldn't even front like I do.