Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Irizarry.
Hi Carlos , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
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Carlos “Fubu Basquiat” Irizarry has loved the art of dance for as long as he can remember.
Born Carlos Ivan Irizarry into a Puerto Rican family in The Bronx, music wasn’t just around him—it was in his blood. At the age of 11, he began dancing with a Bronx-based performance company called La Luz (“The Light”), under the artistic direction of Anthony Rodriguez—whom Carlos still considers one of the most influential people in his life.
While with La Luz, Carlos trained in a variety of styles including jazz, ballet, salsa, flamenco, Afro-Cuban, and street dance. By 18, he had graduated into the adult company, La Santa Luz (“The Holy Light”), and began performing around the world. During this time, he also discovered and fell in love with voguing—a powerful and expressive house dance that emerged from Harlem’s ballroom scene in the 1980s.
After performing throughout the U.S., Turkey, and China with La Santa Luz, Carlos signed with a talent agency at age 21 and began auditioning professionally. His career quickly took off, leading to work with artists such as Sam Smith, Camila Cabello, Madonna, Estelle, Ashlee Simpson, Beyoncé, and more.
Six years into his industry career, Carlos followed his second passion: working with children. At 26, he joined Sesame Street Live!, where he toured the world for four years, dancing and portraying beloved characters such as Cookie Monster, Bert, and The Count. The experience gave him the space to reflect and refine his purpose.
In 2014, Carlos made the life-changing decision to leave both Sesame Street Live! and his hometown of New York to move to Los Angeles and pursue bigger dreams.
Now 41 and based in LA, Carlos has continued building an impressive résumé. He has danced and choreographed for major artists including Lizzo, Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello, Sam Smith & Calvin Harris, and appeared in campaigns such as Nikita Dragun’s beauty line. He was also featured on HBO Max’s hit show Legendary, serving as Assistant Choreographer and Co-Host in Season 2 alongside the legendary Creative Director Tanisha Scott.
Carlos is a proud member of the West Coast Chapter of the House of Basquiat and currently holds the title of Overall Father of Fubu in the Kiki scene. He teaches vogue across the U.S.A like Los Angeles and internationally in places like Puerto Rico, Canada, Australia,
Most recently, Carlos wrapped the Renaissance World Tour with Beyoncé and received a partnership with BeyGood, to successfully have two major balls that made headlands across prominent magazines like Billboard, Black Emterprise, Hollywood Reporter and many more. He remains committed to expanding and uplifting the Ballroom scene on the West Coast with his team at Shady Gang Productions.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. As dancers, we endure countless challenges in this industry. Often seen as the bottom of the barrel, we have to fight—relentlessly—to be recognized and respected for the work we’ve poured into ourselves.
The life of an artist, by any means necessary, is not for the faint of heart. It demands passion, determination, tenacity, and above all, the integrity to stand firm and fight for what you deserve.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a creative/Model before anything else. Through my passion for creativity, I channel my energy into movement—movement that evolves into dance, allowing me to tell stories in deep connection with the music. Music plays a vital role in my storytelling, serving as the emotional thread that guides each piece. From there, I step into my choreographer’s mind—blending feeling, experience, and narrative into one seamless expression.
I specialize in a wide range of styles. My dance mentor, Anthony Rodriguez, was a versatile and dynamic artist who trained in many disciplines, and I was fortunate to absorb much of that training. I incorporate styles like salsa, vogue, and street dance into my work. Over time, I’ve also mastered the art of adaptability—like an actor embodying a role, I know how to shift and transform depending on the environment, the mood, or the message.
What I’m most proud of is my persistence. I never allowed adversity or obstacles to silence my gift. I persevered—and that perseverance led me to live out a dream: dancing alongside none other than the Queen herself, Beyoncé.
What does success mean to you?
I define success not by how much money you’ve made or how many jobs you’ve booked, but by the impact you’ve had and the lives you’ve changed or inspired.
Pricing:
- Creative Movement privates $100 an hr
- Vogue privates $100 an hr
- Beginner Salsa privates $90 an hr
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Carlos_Basquiat
- Facebook: Carlos Ivan Irizarry
Image Credits
CRVProductions
Find your light productions
Packrat Whitfield
House of Fubu
