French Algerian dancer
Her mother is an architect and her father, Safy Boutella , is a jazz musician. In 1992, the family moved from Algeria to France.
She began classical dance education at age 5, began rhythmic gymnastics at age 10, and joined the French national team at age 18.
Her influences include Fred Astaire , Jean Michel Basquiat , Daniel Day-Lewis and Bob Fosse.
Attended and graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.
Michael Jackson was so impressed with her dancing while she was touring with Madonna that he offered her a spot on his This Is It tour. Although the tour never happened due to Jacksons death in 2009, Boutella did appear as the lead in the music video for his posthumously released song Hollywood Tonight in 2011.
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.
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.
I make body chains that come from the neck, cross in the middle of your,chest, then go around your waist. I mix them with feathers for a gypsy,bohemian style. .
