Choreographer Brian Friedman Recalls Britney Spears' 19-Year-Old Energy at 2026 Awards

Choreographer Brian Friedman spoke at the 2026 Industry Dance Awards in Los Angeles on October 21. He discussed the creation of the music video for Britney Spears' song I'm a Slave 4 U.

Friedman noted that Spears was 19 years old when he worked with her on the project. He described her as unstoppable during the sessions. He said she approached the demanding dance routines with natural ease.

The choreography was developed by Friedman and Wade Robson. They designed movements that fit Spears' individual performance style. The creative process remained spontaneous. This approach allowed the singer to inject her own personality into the choreography.

I'm a Slave 4 U released in September 2001. It served as the lead single from Spears' third studio album, Britney. The Neptunes produced the track. It blended pop with R&B influences. The release marked a new musical direction for the artist.

Francis Lawrence directed the music video. The final cut featured elaborate choreography. It established a distinctive visual style that became closely associated with the song.

Friedman's remarks provided a behind-the-scenes look at the performance. He emphasized the preparation and creativity involved in the shoot. The comments came 25 years after the song's initial release.