146 - Alex Francoeur: Head Choreographer FIFA World Cup, France’s Got Talent, Révolution, The Voice Canada, PAN - AM Games, Netflix, Ariana Grande, CBS.

Interview Date: August 9th, 2026 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Business of Dance Podcast, Menina Fortunato sits down with Canadian choreographer Alex Francoeur to trace the journey that took him from a nine-year-old boy reluctantly entering his first hip-hop class in Quebec to building a full-time career across performance, choreography, television, live production, and entrepreneurship. Alex shares how early professional opportunities showed him that dance could become a real career, eventually leading him from Montreal to Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles. Along the way, he reflects on the mentors, relationships, O-1 visa journey, and willingness to take risks that shaped his path.Alex also opens up about the major turning points that redirected his career, including Révolution, receiving a Golden Buzzer on France’s Got Talent, and discovering his voice as a choreographer and creative leader. He explains why genuine relationships matter just as much as talent, how assisting choreographers for years unknowingly prepared him to lead, and why defining success on your own terms can completely change your trajectory.The conversation dives into one of Alex’s biggest projects yet: serving as head choreographer for the Opening Ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026, including the massive audition and rehearsal process behind the production. During the Q&A, Alex shares valuable advice about auditions, skeleton crews, networking, personal branding, leveraging opportunities, and treating yourself like a business. Above all, he encourages dancers to enjoy the journey, stay curious, build meaningful relationships, and recognize that every experience is preparing them for what comes next.Shownotes:00:42 – Starting dance at nine in Quebec05:09 – Discovering dance could become a career10:28 – Relationships that led to FIFA World Cup15:14 – Taking a one-way chance on Los Angeles18:04 – Révolution performance changes Alex’s career20:11 – Becoming his own brand and business22:29 – Unexpected transition from dancer to choreographer25:51 – Building an international dance convention company28:21 – Defining success on your own terms32:09 – Choreographing FIFA with 125 dancers35:16 – Inside the massive FIFA audition process54:04 – Q&A: Why skeleton crews create opportunities57:43 – Q&A: Receiving the life-changing FIFA call1:05:13 – Q&A: Treating yourself like a business1:11:16 – Final advice: Believe and enjoy the journeyBiography:Alex Francoeur is a Canadian choreographer who creates large-scale movement for the world’s biggest stages — from sold-out arenas to global broadcast events reaching millions of viewers.With more than 100 television episodes to his name and live productions staged before crowds exceeding 100,000 spectators, Alex has built a reputation for choreography that merges precision, storytelling, and raw emotional impact. His work doesn’t just fill a stage — it commands it.His international profile surged after receiving a Golden Buzzer on France’s Got Talent, a breakthrough that brought his singular artistic vision to audiences far beyond Canada. That vision — rooted in authenticity and human connection — is what consistently earns him trust from the industry’s most demanding productions.Alex has recently served as the Head Choreographer for the Opening Ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026, cementing his standing among the elite creators shaping how the world experiences live performance. His work spans productions across Canada, the United States, and Europe.Connect on Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex_francoeur/Website: https://alexfrancoeur.ca/