Biographie

Her mother is an architect and her father, Safy Boutella, is a jazz musician. In 1992, the family moved from Algeria to France in the middle of the Algerian Civil War.

In 2007, her breakthrough as a dancer came when she was chosen for the Jamie King choreography for Nike Women's "Keep Up" campaign, serving as a role model of femininity and hip-hop. This was a major boost in her career and lead to more work alongside stars like Madonna, in her Confessions Tour, and Rihanna. She credits her work with Madonna for helping her learn English.

Michael Jackson was so impressed with her dancing that while she was touring with Madonna, he offered her a spot on his "This Is It" tour. Although the tour never happened on account of Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, she appeared as the lead in the music video of his posthumously released song "Hollywood Tonight" (2011).

She took up hip-hop and street dance, and was part of a group called the Vagabound Crew, which won the Battle of the Year (2006). She also participated in a group called Chienne de Vie and Aphrodities created by Mono from the Vagabound Crew.

Her artistic influences include Fred Astaire, Jean Michel Basquiat, Daniel Day-Lewis and Bob Fosse.

When I was a dancer, I was acting.

I truly believe the discipline I have honed as a dancer will bring me more opportunities as an actor.

I wanted a choker, and couldn't find one I liked, so I thought, "I'll just make it".

Working with Madonna, she always told me the meaning behind the steps and why I was doing these steps--she treated us like actors. So I feel like I've always been an actor, truly.

When I was dancing, whether it was the music or the story, the question was, "Why am I doing this piece, and why am I dancing?" It is exactly the same when you are acting. You have a very close relationship with your body movement. You have to find the physicality of your character.