Biographies

CAST

Ricko Baird

Ricko Baird grew up in St Louis Missouri, where he started dancing at a very young age on the neighbourhood street corners. By the age of 12 he was adopted by a well known and inspirational dance teacher performing with their troop Team on local TV and going on to win a national tap competition in Germany.

Making a move to Los Angeles in 1996, Ricko has gone on to dance in concerts and videos with artists such as Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Britney Spears, Christina Agulliera and many of the world's greatest artists. He has also choreographed for Mya, winning an award for best choreography for "My Love is Like Wo" and is currently choreographing Jennifer Lopez's new tour.

Ricko's talent and expertise covers a wide spectrum as a performer culminating in the ultimate performance with Michael Jackson himself on the Michael Jackson and Friends tour as front dancer on the award winning dance number Dangerous. Ricko also co-choreographed Michael's number one hit "You Rock My World" and doubled for him in the video.

As a singer himself, Ricko is working on his own album and material and looks set to join the long line of artists he himself has worked with and been inspired by.

Ricko is very pleased to be here performing with "Thriller Live".

Peter Eldridge

Peter's first break came about when he landed a role in the original West End production of Rent. After understudying the lead role of Roger for eight months, he was then offered the part full time.
Since Rent, he has played MacHeath in Theatr Clwyd's production of The Threepenny Opera, was one of the lead vocalists in the Beatles tribute show All You Need Is Love, at the Queen's Theatre, and the part of P Puff Diddy Daddy Dum Diddy Doo in the ensemble for We Will Rock You, and covering the roles of Galileo and Britney.
He has also played Nick Piazza in a production of Fame in Cyprus, Man 1 in Songs for a New World, Adam in Schwartz It All About (both at the Edinburgh festival), and has toured the UK as backing singer for Michael Ball's "Love" tour.
Other work includes Woof in Hair, the title role in Pippin, Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance, Jesus in Godspell, and Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar.
Peter is currently working as vocalist with The Phil Hilborne Band, and as always dedicates this performance to the memory of his nephew Darius.

Hayley Evetts

Hayley Evetts has a unique experience when it comes to Reality music TV, she really came to the nations attention reaching 5th position on the first series of ‘Pop Idol' Simon Cowell on national television stating she was very very sexy!, this TV phenomenon was preceded by ‘Popstars' in which Hayley was also a finalist, Hayley has also presented Popstars the rivals Extra alongside Dane Bowers for ITV 2.this show lasted five months and included live shows with no auto cue every Saturday night and daily live shows with interviews, auto cue.

Being a part of all 3 music TV phenomenon's has given Hayley a unique view point, during Popstars the Rivals she was the contestants shoulder to cry on, if their nerves set in or they needed a confidence boost Hayley was there to dig them out of their rut !.

Hayley has presented on ‘Cruel summer' a Big Brother for kids on the trouble channel.

Hayley has been co- starring in Grease the musical performing as Sandy with rave reviews on vocals and performance, although she has been busy touring with the musical it has attracted lots of national and regional press, With regular appearances and interviews on TV and radio. Hayley also appeared on the show Grease is the word, giving advice and support to the finalists.

Hayley was cast by Hubbard Casting for a role in a forthcoming film Clubbed in which she played the role of Tracy, this was Hayley's first time acting for film, to which both writer and the director said she was a natural. This is also an area that Hayley would like to do more of.

Though Hayley has been working on different projects the last few years her first love will always be singing belting out anything from Anastasia to Big Band songs, Hayley Currently is working on new material and spending time in the studio to concentrate on her forth coming Album.
Once you see her you will always remember her.
Once you hear her you never forget her!

A J Lewis

AJ trained at Italia Conti and London Studio Centre.
Theatre credits include: JJ in the original cast of The Real Monty Comes Again (UK Tour), Slave of the lamp in Aladdin (Opera House, Belfast), AJ in Soul Train (UK Tour), Judah in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour), Bluette in The Official Tribute to the Blues Brothers (European Tour), Show Boat (Royal Albert Hall, London), and the Opera Mass Carib (Trafalgar Square, London). He has written and performed a show celebrating the life and music of Stevie Wonder called The Wonder of Stevie. In 2002 AJ traveled the world as Lead Vocalist on the largest cruise ship in the World for Royal Caribbean.

TV credits include: Watchdog, Wildhouse, The Office and a TV License ad (BBC). Singer in Death of a Princess (C4 Opera), Live performance on the Gerry Kelly Show (UTV) and Actor in shower for a Soapstar/Superstar ident (ITV1)
He is featured on the Club Susu-Get Lifted Compilation Album and has recorded and written for various music producers and performed with many bands.

Recent West End credits include the original cast of the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess and Lionel Richie in Dancing in the streets

For more information: - www.myspace.com/ajlewissoulsensation

Roger Wright

Roger Wright began his career as an international model, shooting campaigns with top model agencies in London, New York, Milan and Paris.

His career change from modelling to musical theatre began when he walked into the wrong room whilst on his way to a TV commercial casting. Theatre Director Paul Kerryson was looking for a lead to play in 'Hot Stuff' and invited Roger to sing, and the rest is history!

Following his musical theatre debut at the Leicester Haymarket Theatre, Roger went on to play Cab Calloway in 'The Blues Brothers' (UK/German Tour), before being cast in the lead role of Simba in ‘The Lion King' (Original cast, directed by Julie Taymor, Lyceum Theatre).

He then went on to play Simba at the Disney Resort in Paris in the show 'The Legend of The Lion King', directed by Craig Revel Horwood.

On his return Roger was delighted to play Motown legend Marvin Gaye in 'Dancing In the Streets' (Flying Music, directed by Keith Strachan) which toured the UK followed by a run at the Cambridge Theatre in the West End.
Roger is also a singer/songwriter and was in the pop group 'Fresh' with his brother Steven (East West Records) which had chart success.
Roger is delighted to be appearing in ‘Thriller Live'.

www.rogerwright.co.uk

Lee Alexander

From East London, Lee started dancing at the age of 10, being taught a routine Michael Jackson's ‘Black and White' in his first every class.

At 16 he started training at the BRIT School before receiving a scholarship to the London Studio Centre where he received his degree in Theatre Dance.

Since graduating in 2006 his credits have included work for Reebok, Berghause, Akademiks, Hyundai, Wella, MOBO, Ocean Village, Disney, Attos and L'Oreal and videos for Basement Jaxx, Beatfreakz and Palladium. He has also choreographed for LSC, Lucy Layton, Amanda and E4's Skins. Most recently Lee performed at the 2008 BRIT awards for Leona Lewis.

This is Lee's first tour and is proud to be part of a show that plays tribute to the artist that inspired so many of his generation of dancers.

Lee would like to thank Anne-Marie for introducing him to this crazy profession and his mum Sarah for always being so supportive.

Kamilah Afiyah Beckles

Kamilah Afiyah Beckles gained a BTEC National Diploma in Dance and then went on to Train at Masters Performing Arts College.
Since graduating in July 2007 her recent credits have been, The Ray Charles Musical Monte Carlo, India and Lyon, Woolworths Big Carpet Bash,
Toochi 'I Respent' Music video, Bingo Lotto Commercial, The Royal Variety Performance Koln Germany and Austria for SEAL, Chaliya Bollywood film in Grecce and The BBC's The One and Only. Kamilah so is excited to be apart of a production of such an iconic artist & great influence to the arts.

Rick Bhuller

Rick began dancing as a hobby at sixteen at a local theatre school, with acting credits including About a Boy, Spooks (BBC), CrimeWatch (BBC) and The Bill (BBC).

After making the decision to peruse dance as a career, Rick then left University and began two years training at Tiffany Theatre College (scholarship). In his final year, Rick won both the Boys Jazz award and Choreography Award, and also completed his qualification in Gym Instructing.

Upon leaving college, some professional credits include Bump N Grind (Live Finals), Freemasons"Love Rain Down", Miss England, Asian Lifestyle Fashion Show, Zee Carnival Fashion Show and various swimwear modeling.

Understanding the importance of a versatile dancer and the belief that you can never stop improving, Rick has trained in styles including, Hiphop, Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contempary, Lyrical, Popping, Locking, Pas De Deux, Breakdance, Krumping, Salsa and Bollywood.

Rick is delighted to part of the Thriller Live cast embarking on the UK Tour, and paying tribute to one of the most influential and greatest artists of all time.

Rick would like to thank his family for all their love and support.

Jordan Darrell

Jordan Darrell graduated from training at Cambridge Performing arts in 2006. He left college early after landing an ensemble part in west End show Daddy Cool, based on the Music sensation Boney M. After a run at the Shaftesbury Theatre the show went to Berlin, Germany and Jordan went with it taking the role of Assistant Dance Captain. Jordan has recently appeared as a featured dancer on BBC1's "One and Only", ITV's one off special "Saturday Night Divas" Dancing and assistant choreographing for stars such as Jamelia and Chaka Chan and was the winning contestant of Living TV's Dirty Dancing filmed in Virginia. Other professional Credits Include, Model for 2008 Burton Spring/Summer Collection Launch, Various Pantomimes and Music Video for recording Artist "Sonny Jim". Jordan is delighted to be part of the Thriller Live Tour as Michael Jackson has always been an inspiration.

Shaheen Jarfargholi

Ten year old Shaheen Jarfargholi is from Swansea, South Wales where he trains at the renowned Mark Jermin Stage School in all areas of the performing arts. Shaheen talents were discovered at an early age at the stage school and he was quickly signed to Mark Jermin Management where he has gained valuable professional experience and credits. Shaheen has appeared in the BAFTA AWARD winning film A Way of Life. He played the lead role in Jacques a French boy in the short film Day at The Beach. Television credits include the lead role Christy Skinner in BBC Casualty, Danny in BBC Torchwood, The Frank Skinner Show for ITV and Mine All Mine for Red Productions/ITV.
Professional theatre work includes Son of McDuff in Macbeth UK Tour, The King and I UK Tour and part of the choir in Bill Kenwright's Joseph and His Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat.
Shaheen has appeared in numerous television commercials including Walkers Crisps with football star Gary Linekar, Delta Airlines, Debenhams and can been see currently on TV screens in a DFS Sofa advert.
Shaheen was a featured lead child in a BBC Fly on the wall documentary Starstruck where camera followed him at Stage school classes on auditions and film shoots etc for six months! Shaheen has also appeared on Childrens TV channel Nickelodeon, ITV Wales news and switched the Christmas lights on in Swansea city centre in front of an audience of 30,000!
Shaheen loves to sing and perform and is delighted to be joining the cast of Thriller Live. Shaheen would like to dedicate his performance to his family, Mark & Yvonne Jermin, Irene Hopkins, Terrace Road School and especially to his mum Karen who without her constant love and support none of this would be possible!

Twinnie Lee Moore

Twinnie trained at Phil Winston's Theatre Works.
WEST END THEATRE CREDITS: ‘Desperately Seeking Susan' - Novello Theatre, and ‘We Will Rock You' - Dominion Theatre. Twinnie would like to thank her friends and family (especially her Mum and Dad) for their love and support.

Understudy for Miss Evetts.

Dannii Rothman

Dannii was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, before living in Israel where she completed her service as a combat trainer and a physical instructor in the Armed services.
Upon arrival in the U.K, Dannii trained professionally at Laine Theatre Arts, Epsom, under the personal direction of Betty Laine.
Professional credits include: Cinderella (Royal Opera House, Manchester), Thriller Live (U.K Tour and European Tour), La Passio' - Dance Company (Barcelona), Aladdin (Kings Theatre, Glasgow), Thriller Live- Original Cast (Dominion Theatre), Seeing Tomorrow, Name of the Game, From the Top (Epsom Playhouse).
Other Credits include: Appearance on Blue Peter, pop video for Simon Webb (Lay Your Hands) and various pop videos in Israel.
Dannii is grateful to be a part of Thriller Live once again and dedicates her performance to her family and friends in Israel!
Neshikot!

Richard Smikle

Richard 21 has been dancing since he was 3 years old. In July last year he gradated from Masters performing arts college in Essex.
Since then he has been in the "The Genius of Ray Charles" which showed in Monte Carlo, Lyon and India.
He has also done a variety of fashion and hair shows for companies such as Wella and L'Oreal.
His television work includes BBC'S Children in Need and The One and only, where he appeared for several weeks.
He was also a featured dancer on the BBC's Eurovision your decision.
Richard is excited to be involved in "Thriller" and hopes this experience leads him to many more.
He would like to thank his family and friends for their constant love and support.

Dominic Smith

Dominic Smith is 14 years old and has been singing since he could walk. His first stage performance was of the Michael Jackson song, 'Rockin' Robin', live at The Prince Charles Theatre in Cannock, aged just 10.

He has also appeared in 'The Black Dress of Dorrow' at the Alexander Theatre in Birmingham. He has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, The National Indoor arena, The Symphony Hall, The Manchester Evening News Arena, as well as a variety of premiership football matches, including his home town club Wolverhampton Wanderers FC in front of 29,000 people.

He appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2007 where he reached the semi finals. Simon Cowell made extremely positive comments about the performances that he saw. Being in the top three on semi final night he was unceremoniously not put through to the final much to the disgust of the audience.
Dominic has also featured in all the previous outings of ‘Thriller Live' which he enjoys very much.

Hollie Victoria

Hollie Victoria Robertson has been performing as a dancer since the age of 4. She reached an extremely high standard in gymnastics including representing Britain in international competitions as an elite gymnast. As a dancer Hollie has had a varied career, firstly starting out at Insteps Dance studio in Shropshire and continuing to complete a musical theatre course at M.A.D.D In Nottingham.
She went on to win the Wade Robson MTV Shakedown were she was crowned the best European Hip Hop Dancer 2004.
Hollie has danced in many music videos for artists such as Ashanti, Rachel Stevans and BodyRockers. She has also danced with Terry Wogan on Children in Need in 2005.
In 2006 Hollie was the winning dancer of BBC1's Strictly Dance Fever with her partner Darrien Wright.
Hollie's theatre career started with Babes in the wood 2005/2006 furthering on to make her west end debut in July 2006 where she performed in Footloose at the Novello theatre Aldwych.
She then toured with fame for 3 months in 2007.
As a talented teacher and choreographer she hosts dance workshops all around the U.K.
Before the start of her career, as an aspiring performer, she greatly admired the work of Michael Jackson and as a result set out on her own dance career. Hollie is thrilled to be apart of Thriller.

Yasmin Yazdi: Dance Captain

Yasmin trained at the Urdang Academy in Convent garden. After graduating in 2001 she went on to further her education at Vocaltech in Acton, London. Yasmin's first professional job was as a featured dancer in a Paul McCartney video and since then has worked as a session singer, songwriter, choreographer and performer for various record companies in the UK.

Yasmin had a single released in Barcelona "Rain on Me " performed by the artist BETH. She toured the UK with girl group "Nishe" performing at Jammin in the park and other road shows. In 2001 Yasmin also opened her own performance school "The Pop Factory" for young performers, focusing on street dance and singing. She is part of hip hop crew "femme fatale" who last year won the Southern Street Dance championships.

She first performed with Thriller Live at the world music awards in a tribute performance of Thriller with Chris Brown and again in the debut UK tour and she is thrilled to be returning! www.myspace.com/imyasmin

Mitchell Zhangazha

Mitchell is thirteen and lives in London. Through his association with Young'uns Agency, he has appeared in several West End productions, including ‘The Lion King' at the Lyceum Theatre, ‘Porgy and Bess' at the National Theatre, and ‘Caroline or Change', also at the National.
He has also appeared many times on ITV1's "The X Factor", and in pop videos, as a dancer with Chico Slimani.

In addition, Mitchell has provided the voice of "Quincy" in several series of Disney's "Little Einsteins", for Playhouse Disney.

Mitchell is also appearing in "The Two Hearts of Kwasi Boachi", which tours Holland until May 2008.