That's Madonna

Turkish dancer Yaman Okur reveals secrets about Madonna

Madonna performs songs from her album The summer 2009 leg of Madonna's Sticky & Sweet World Tour kicks off in London tomorrow. Among the performers accompanying Madonna onstage will be Yaman Okur, a Turkish dancer who has made headlines as the “brave Turk behind Madonna,” as his name means “brave” in Turkish.

The Paris-born Okur, whose dreams came true when he first joined Madonna onstage before an audience of 60,000 in September 2008 as a dancer during her world tour, was busy rehearsing for the upcoming performances of the tour last week, but took some time to answer a few questions on the phone. Okur spoke about Madonna's obvious motherly affection, his secret to approaching her and his own story of becoming one of Madonna's dancers in an interview ahead of the start of the 30-gig tour, which will run through September. “She has enormous positive energy,” said Okur about the Material Girl. “Madonna is more of a beautiful mother than an artist.” The Turkish press calls you the “brave Turkish dancer behind Madonna,” but where exactly are you from? I was born in Paris, and I grew up there. My family relocated to Paris two years before I was born. My mother is originally from İzmit, and my father is from Adapazarı [in northwestern Anatolia]. I used to visit Turkey each summer throughout my childhood, and that's how I learned Turkish. There are no other dancers in my family, but I have always been into dance, since my childhood. What does it feel like being on the same stage with Madonna? Do you remember the very first song of hers to which you performed live onstage? There were around 50,000 or 60,000 people in Wembley Arena. My first moment live onstage was the moment she was about to sing “Beat Goes On.” It was so beautiful to be able to perform my own dance numbers besides the set choreography. What was your story before you auditioned in New York to become one of Madonna's dancers for her European tour? Were you a fan of hers? I have always watched Madonna's shows with a great appreciation; I loved her shows on the Drowned World Tour and Re-Invention Tour as a dancer myself. I was born in 1977; we all grew up listening to Madonna's songs throughout our childhood, but honestly I was more into rap and hip-hop as I was into break dancing also. I first dreamed about dancing with Madonna while I was watching her Confessions Tour and that was because I saw one of the most famous American break dancers, Cloud, dancing with her there. Last January, my girlfriend and I got this text message from one of our friends about auditions for dancers for Madonna in New York, and we flew to New York immediately. Throughout the auditions, [we were asked to perform] set choreographies for three and also freestyle performances. Madonna has enormous positive energy, and dancing right in front of her was like a dream. How is Madonna's behavior towards her dancers? In my opinion, Madonna is more of a beautiful mother than an artist. … She approaches all of us just like a mother. She cares about our comfort, and she approaches with love and protection just like a mother does. In a documentary, I watched Madonna gather her dancers and pray together with them before her stage shows. Did you also pray with her? Yes, of course we did. Among her dancers there is also another Muslim dancer named Norman, who normally lives in Malaysia. Madonna knew we're Muslims. She heard us read al-Fatiha [ahead of a performance] in one corner, and she listened to us. Just two days later, while we were about to pray all together before the show, she said to us, “You read ‘al-Fatiha,' too.” She is so unique and so special. Which Madonna song gives you the greatest inspiration for dancing? My favorite song from her Sticky & Sweet Tour is “Beat Goes On.” Actually I was chosen as a choreographer, and I prepared the choreography for the song “Heartbeat.” You will see it when the tour's DVD comes out. I love the song “Heartbeat,” as well. Who else have you danced with onstage, or who would you like to dance for? My dream was to dance with Madonna, and it came true. I can't even dream about dancing for someone else after dancing with Madonna. Previously, I performed with Lionel Richie for a show in France. Now we are going on with our rehearsals in London for Madonna's summer tour … which starts off in London on July 4. It makes me so happy that I will be dancing on the same stage with Madonna once more. Any hints for approaching Madonna or any guidelines for getting a chance to become a dancer for her? Actually, there is a hint. Madonna likes things she has never seen before, things that are very unique. A brand new dance undiscovered, brand new music undiscovered. She liked my slow-motion numbers when she chose me. … Madonna likes original and very different things, and she is not afraid of giving it a try. She is open to novelty. If you want to approach her, you have to come up with new things.

Source: http://www.todayszaman.com