Dondraico “Draico” Johnson: Movement, Culture & Redefining Hollywood

Emmy-nominated choreographer and actor Dondraico “Draico” Johnson is no stranger to shaping culture through movement. From sharing the stage with icons like Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Madonna to choreographing Disney’s latest summer blockbuster ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires, Draico’s work fuses authenticity, heart, and cultural texture—always making sure characters feel human, relatable, and real.

Words/Editor In Chief: Angel Neal

Photography: Neely Townes

“Over the years, I’ve been able to be true to who I am, and bring what I bring to the table,” Draico says. “Especially with the Zombies franchise—I just made them real people. If you put the two squads side by side, one could be from Chicago, one could be from Atlanta. I had to put a little flavor on it.”

Raised in Fort Lawn, South Carolina—a town with one stoplight—Draico never imagined dance would become his calling. Sports were his first love, but an unexpected audition while studying at Morris Brown College shifted everything.

“I had never been to a dance audition before. I just went to support my friends,” he recalls. “They all got cut—and I didn’t. That moment changed my life.”

From that first break, Draico’s career skyrocketed. He toured with TLC’s protégés Blaque, danced for global superstars, and later earned his Emmy nomination for Genius: Aretha. His film credits include Ghostbusters (2016), The Conjuring 2, Haunted Mansion, Step Up All In, and Dirty Grandpa—just to name a few. For Draico, choreography is never just about steps—it’s about storytelling. On ZOMBIES 4, filmed in New Zealand, he was intentional about bringing representation to the cast and dancers.

“When I got there, there was nobody who looked like me,” he says. “I told the producers, ‘You’ve got to increase diversity.’ And they said, absolutely. We brought in Black dancers, plus-size dancers, dancers of all backgrounds. I wanted kids watching to see somebody like themselves on screen.”

That commitment to representation extends to how he builds movement for new generations:

“The new generation doesn’t want just a step-touch. They want to move like us. So I gave them authenticity—movement from the streets, movement with sauce. I had to make them real.”

When asked about career-defining artist collaborations, Draico lights up speaking about Janet Jackson.

“She’s royalty. When I booked that job, I was ecstatic. But what stood out was how personal she was. She invited all the dancers to her home in Malibu. During fittings, she sat with each of us individually—talking, laughing, getting to know us. That changed how I approach everyone else. She’s top tier.”

He also names Miley Cyrus as one of his favorite artists to work with:

“She was so supportive of her dancers—making sure we looked good, felt good. It was very real, very genuine.”

With the rise of AI, TikTok, and global streaming platforms, Draico sees choreography stepping into its long-overdue recognition.

“Choreography has always been the piece of the puzzle that brought everybody together, but also the piece people overlooked,” he explains. “Now, with socials, people are seeing our faces and our value. You can duplicate steps with AI, but you can’t duplicate that live feeling—the adrenaline of the stage, the energy of a crowd. That can’t be replaced.”

When he’s not on set, Draico invests in the next generation through In The Groove dance workshops and mentorship. His advice to young creatives is simple but powerful:

“Be true to yourself and keep creating—even when you feel like nobody’s paying attention. You’ll create your masterpiece. Don’t give up, don’t compromise your morals, and never stop making.”

Whether choreographing blockbuster films, acting, or mentoring, Draico continues to redefine what it means to be a choreographer and creative force in Hollywood. His work is a reminder that movement is more than dance steps—it’s storytelling, culture, and connection.

And as he steps into 2025, one thing is clear: Dondraico Johnson is just getting started.