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Carlton Wilborn (born 1964) is an American dancer, actor, author and motivational speaker. [1] He first gained global attention as a principal dancer for Madonna's Blond Ambition World Tour and The Girlie Show World Tour, and appeared in Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour documentary Madonna: Truth or Dare .
Wilborn grew up in Chicago. He began his performing career at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, where he was in dance classes with Michelle Obama. [2]
After high school, he eventually became a principal dancer in Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. [3] Carlton is one of seven dancers from the Madonna 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour reunion 2016 documentary, Strike a Pose .
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1988 | Dance | Nicholas | TV movie |
1990 | Without You I'm Nothing | Ballet Dancer | |
1993 | Grief | Jeremy | |
Demolition Man | Wasteland Scrap | ||
1994 | In the Army Now | Reserve Soldier #2 | |
The Privilege Cage | Daniel | Short | |
1995 | Dead Presidents | Spyder | |
1996 | Deadly Web | Sullivan | TV movie |
1999 | Guinevere | Jay | |
The Velvet Club | Emcee | Short | |
Made Men | Felix | ||
Tuesdays with Morrie | Eddie | TV movie | |
2001 | MacArthur Park | St. Louis | |
2004 | True Vinyl | Travis Smith | |
2005 | Guess Who | Dancer | |
2006 | The Hoax | Bahamas Desk Clerk | |
The Ten Commandments: The Musical | Ensemble | ||
Yellow | Broadway Choreographer | ||
2008 | An American Carol | Parent | |
2012 | The Boarder | Zeb Williams | |
2013 | Breakout | Max | |
2015 | The Better Half | LeDawn | |
2018 | Beautiful Boy | Vince | |
2021 | Disciple | Donovan | Short |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1991 | L.A. Law | Oz Wilson | Episode: "Do the Spike Thing" |
1995 | The Marshal | - | Episode: "'65-'95" |
1996–97 | L.A. Firefighters | Firefighter Ray Grimes | Main Cast |
1997 | NYPD Blue | Bluestone | Episode: "Tom and Geri" |
1997–98 | Fame L.A. | Robert Hawkins | Recurring Cast |
1998 | Nash Bridges | Paul Avery | Episode: "Apocalypse Nash" |
V.I.P. | Wilgan | Episode: "Scents and Sensibility" | |
1999 | Chicago Hope | Jerry Lawrence | Episode: "Playing Through" |
2000 | The Huntress | Michael Maine | Episode: "Springing Tiny" |
2001 | NYPD Blue | Maurice Carlisle | Episode: "Cops and Robber" |
Becker | Mr. Ellison | Episode: "The Ghost of Christmas Presents" | |
2003 | CSI: Miami | Brian Davidson | Episode: "Entrance Wound" |
The Practice | Lewis Nyler | Episode: "The Making of a Trial Attorney" | |
2007 | Lincoln Heights | Washburn | Episode: "Missing" |
Viva Laughlin | Security Guard | Episode: "What a Whale Wants" | |
2012 | The Mentalist | Glennda Snow | Episode: "Ruby Slippers" |
2013 | Bunheads | Choreographer | Episode: "Next" |
2014 | NCIS | Charles Garrett | Episode: "Double Back" |
2016 | Bosch | I.A. Capt. Larry Williams | Episode: "Heart Attack" |
2017 | Chronicles of Jessica Wu | Bruce Lockwood | Recurring Cast: Season 1 |
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2011 | L.A. Noire | Monty Reynolds (voice) |
Year | Artist | Title |
---|---|---|
1990 | Madonna | "Vogue" |
Janet Jackson | "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" | |
2020 | Joyner Lucas | "Revenge" |
Year | Title |
---|---|
1991 | Madonna: Truth or Dare |
2016 | Strike a Pose |
Medusa: Dare to Be Truthful is an American 1991 mockumentary film starring comedian Julie Brown as the title character, with Kathy Griffin and Donal Logue in supporting roles. Comedians Tom Kenny and Bobcat Goldthwait and game show host Wink Martindale also made cameo appearances in the film.
The Blond Ambition World Tour was the third concert tour by American singer Madonna. It supported her fourth studio album Like a Prayer (1989), and the soundtrack album to the 1990 film Dick Tracy, I'm Breathless. The 57-show tour began on April 13, 1990, in Chiba, Japan, and concluded on August 5, 1990, in Nice, France. Additionally, it marked Madonna's first concerts in Sweden and Spain. Originally planned as the Like a Prayer World Tour, it was supposed to be sponsored by soft drink manufacturer Pepsi. However, the company cancelled the contract following the controversy surrounding the music video of "Like a Prayer".
"Papa Don't Preach" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Madonna for her third studio album True Blue (1986). The song was written by Brian Elliot with additional lyrics by Madonna, who produced it alongside Stephen Bray. It was included in the compilation album Celebration (2009). Musically, "Papa Don't Preach" combines pop and classical styling, with lyrics that talk about teenage pregnancy, and the choices that come with it. Elliot was inspired to write it by the teen gossip he would hear outside his recording studio.
Niki Haris is an American singer and dancer of pop, R&B, dance music and jazz. She was one of Madonna's backing vocalists from 1987 to 2001, and the guest lead vocalist on various Snap! singles in the early 1990s.
"Material Girl" is a song recorded by American singer Madonna for her second studio album, Like a Virgin (1984). It was released on January 23, 1985, by the Sire label as the second single from Like a Virgin. It also appears slightly remixed on the 1990 greatest hits compilation, The Immaculate Collection, in its original form on the 2009 greatest hits compilation, Celebration and Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones (2022). The song was written by Peter Brown and Robert Rans, while Nile Rodgers produced the track. Madonna explained that the concept of the song was indicative of her life at that time, and she liked it because she felt it was provocative.
"Causing a Commotion" is a song by American singer Madonna from the soundtrack album to the 1987 film Who's That Girl. It was released as the album's second single on August 25, 1987, by Sire Records. Its Silver Screen Single Mix later appeared on the EP The Holiday Collection (1991). Written and produced by Madonna and Stephen Bray, the song was inspired by her relationship with then-husband Sean Penn, and his abusive and violent nature. Containing a dance-oriented, up-tempo groove, the song begins with the chorus and is accompanied by a four-note descending bassline and staccato chords in the verses.
"Into the Groove" is a song recorded by American singer Madonna, and featured on the 1985 film Desperately Seeking Susan. Written and produced by both Madonna and Stephen Bray, the main inspiration behind the song was the dance floor; the singer wrote it while watching a Latin American man whom she was attracted to. Its instrumentation features synthesizers and drum machines, with Madonna's voice being double tracked on the chorus. Sexual innuendos and undertones are present throughout the lyrics, which are written as an invitation to dance with the singer. Originally written for her friend Mark Kamins, Madonna later decided to use it on the film, as one of the scenes needed a dance song. It was later added to the 1985 international re-issue of her second studio album, Like a Virgin (1984), and remixed for her compilations You Can Dance (1987) and The Immaculate Collection (1990) and Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones (2022).
The Girlie Show was the fourth concert tour by American singer and songwriter Madonna, in support of her fifth studio album, Erotica (1992). In October 1992, Madonna simultaneously released Erotica and the coffee table book Sex. The former ended up being Madonna's lowest selling album at the time, while the latter received extensive media attention, and backlash from fans and critics; nonetheless, it was commercially successful. After the critical and commercial failure of the erotic thriller Body of Evidence starring Madonna, the tour was announced in July 1993. The 39-date tour marked the first time the singer visited places such as Turkey, Israel, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Brazil and Australia. According to some critics, it was the singer's way to "revive" her music career following the negative reaction to the thriller. The tour took its name after an Edward Hopper painting titled "Girlie Show". Madonna's brother, Christopher Ciccone, was appointed tour director.
"Cherish" is a song by American singer Madonna from her fourth studio album, Like a Prayer (1989). It was written and produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard, and was released by Sire Records as the album's third single on August 1, 1989. "Cherish" was built around the themes of love and relationships, with William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet being one of the major inspirations. The track also included a line from "Cherish" by the 1960s band the Association. Musically constructed as a doo-wop-style pop song, it is regarded as a light-hearted track by critics and includes instruments such as a drum machine, percussions, keyboards and a saxophone. Lyrically, it speaks of Madonna's devotion to her lover, and her promise to be always by his side. "Cherish" was included on Madonna's greatest hits compilations The Immaculate Collection (1990) and Celebration (2009).
"Oh Father" is a song recorded by American singer Madonna for her fourth studio album Like a Prayer (1989). It was released as the fourth single from the album on October 24, 1989, by Sire Records. The song was not released as a single in most European territories until December 24, 1995, when it appeared on the 1995 ballads compilation Something to Remember. Written and produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard, the nexus of "Oh Father" was the presence of male authoritative figures in Madonna's life, most prominently her father, Tony Ciccone. Madonna's relationship with her father had soured after her mother's death in 1963 and his remarriage three years later. While developing the Like a Prayer album, Madonna was in an emotional state of mind due to her personal problems, which is reflected in "Oh Father".
"Keep It Together" is a song by American singer Madonna from her fourth studio album, Like a Prayer (1989). It was released as the fifth and final single from the album in the United States, Canada and Japan on January 30, 1990, by Sire Records. Written and produced by Madonna and Stephen Bray, the main inspiration behind "Keep It Together" was Madonna's relationship with her family—whom she dearly missed during her divorce from Sean Penn. The song was dedicated to the American band Sly and the Family Stone. The lyrics deal with the realization of how important Madonna's family has been to her life. A pop, funk and deep funk song consisting of an upbeat rhythm and groove, "Keep It Together" features instrumentation from percussion, banjo and a conga.
Kevin Alexander Stea is an American dancer, choreographer, actor, singer, director and model. He has worked as a dancer and choreographer with a number of high-profile artists, including Madonna, Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson, and has appeared in several movies and television shows.
Madonna: Truth or Dare is a 1991 American documentary film by director Alek Keshishian chronicling the life of entertainer Madonna during her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour. Madonna approached Keshishian to do an HBO special on the tour after watching his Harvard senior project. Initially planned to be a traditional concert film, Keshishian was so impressed with the backstage life that he persuaded Madonna to make it the focus of the film. Madonna funded the project and served as executive producer. The film was edited to be in black-and-white, in order to emulate cinéma vérité, while the performance scenes are in color.
"Sooner or Later" is a song recorded by the American singer Madonna from her soundtrack album I'm Breathless. Written by American composer Stephen Sondheim and produced by Madonna and Bill Bottrell, the song was used in the parent film, Dick Tracy. "Sooner or Later" was composed to evoke the theatrical nature and style of the film. A 1930s-style jazz ballad with piano, drum, double bass, and horns, the track conjures up the atmosphere of a smoky nightclub. Madonna sings in her lowest register accompanied by a variable pitch.
Alek Keshishian is an Armenian-born American film and commercial director, writer, producer and music video director. His 1991 documentary, Madonna: Truth or Dare was the highest-grossing documentary of all time until 2002; it "changed the way filmmakers explored the world of celebrity" and had a "profound impact on LGBTQ representation in film."
Blond Ambition World Tour Live is a video album by American singer-songwriter Madonna released exclusively on LaserDisc by Pioneer Artists on December 13, 1990. It contained the Blond Ambition World Tour's final show, filmed at the Stade Charles-Ehrmann in Nice, France, on August 5, 1990. The concert had previously been broadcast on American network HBO as Live! Madonna: Blond Ambition World Tour 90, and became one of its highest rated specials. The decision to release it exclusively on Laserdisc grew when Pioneer Artists signed up to sponsor the tour; the company also wanted to use Madonna to reach a new demographic and increase Laserdisc sales. It received positive reviews, with some critics saying it captured the concert better than the documentary Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991) and the HBO broadcast. At the 34th Annual Grammy Awards, it won for Best Music Video-Long Form, becoming the first Grammy award Madonna received in her career. With over 100,000 copies sold, Blond Ambition World Tour Live was one of the highest selling laserdiscs of its time.
Christopher Ciccone is an American artist, interior decorator, and designer in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. He is the younger brother of singer Madonna.
Jose Gutierez Xtravaganza is a dancer, choreographer, and recording artist. He is one of the most widely recognized personalities to emerge from the NYC ballroom scene of the 1980s. He is best known for his work with Madonna.
Strike a Pose is a Belgian-Dutch documentary film, which premiered in the Panorama section of the 2016 Berlinale. Directed by Ester Gould and Reijer Zwaan, the film profiles the dancers who performed with Madonna on her Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990.
Luis Camacho is a dancer, choreographer and recording artist. He is best known for his work with Madonna.