Born in 1943 in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, Arlene Phillips is one of the UK’s best-known choreographers. She spent her childhood immersed in dance classes, before moving to London to found Hot Gossip – a dance troupe both celebrated and castigated for their raunchy choreography on series such as The Kenny Everett Video Show. Phillips’s career expanded into stage and music, and she choreographed the musicals Starlight Express and Grease, as well as videos including Private Dancer by Tina Turner, The Wild Boys by Duran Duran and I Was Born To Love You by Freddie Mercury. She was a judge on Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2008 and has since written children’s books, appeared on I’m A Celebrity and was awarded a damehood in 2021. Phillips co-created and directs House of Flamenka at the Peacock theatre in London from 17-28 October.
This photo was taken while I was choreographing Village People’s musical comedy film Can’t Stop the Music. I’m dressed in a simple red leotard with my red lips and hair. From the moment I first saw a bottle of Crazy Colour dye it changed my life – my hair went from pinks to purples, to turquoises and reds. I loved the way it turned out so vibrant, almost neon. The image captures a turning point. I was travelling the world doing auditions for the film, but I had also just discovered I was pregnant with my first child [Phillips has two daughters, Alana and Abi]. I was about to start work on one of the most lavish and crazy Hollywood movies of all time, yet I was preparing for a massive physical and mental adjustment.
