Episode 2 — From SNL Choreographer to Lip Sync Battle Producee: Danielle Flora’s Creative Journey
Episode Summary
How does a self-taught dancer become the choreographer for Saturday Night Live and a producer on Lip Sync Battle?
In this episode of The Breakthrough Collective, host Traci Swain sits down with Danielle Flora—Emmy Award-winning choreographer, creative director, TV producer, and former pop star—to uncover the breakthrough moments that shaped her unconventional career.
From her days performing with the pop group She Moves to 17 seasons
choreographing SNL sketches, to producing viral moments on Lip Sync Battle, Danielle’s story is a masterclass in reinvention, humility, and creative resilience.
Her journey shows that the most sustainable success isn’t about ego—it’s about staying curious, trusting your instincts, and never being afraid to start again.
About Danielle Flora
Emmy Award-Winning Choreographer, Creative Director & TV Producer
Danielle Flora is a two-time Emmy Award-winning choreographer and creative director whose career spans Saturday Night Live, Lip Sync Battle, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and feature films including Trainwreck, Date Night, and The Night Before.
Danielle began her dance career as a New York Knicks City Dancer before joining Saturday Night Live, where she has choreographed sketches, monologues, and
musical acts for 17 years. Her credits include collaborations with Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Anne Hathaway.
She went on to serve as Producer, Creative Director, and Lead Choreographer for Lip Sync Battle, earning two Primetime Emmy nominations and producing show-stopping performances by stars including Neil Patrick Harris, Hailee Steinfeld, Channing Tatum, Josh Gad, and Kaley Cuoco.
Through her production company, EXIT 140, Danielle is developing multiple unscripted shows, including We Got Moves—an improv-based dance competition.
She lives in New Jersey with her husband and daughter, splitting her time between coasts as she continues to choreograph, produce, and create for film, TV, and live
events.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode
✨The lessons behind choreographing for Saturday Night Live
✨How Danielle became a producer on Lip Sync Battle
✨Creativity without ego — and why humility is a superpower
✨The surprising pivots that reshaped her career (including pop stardom!)
✨What it really means to trust the process
✨How staying curious opened doors across decades in entertainment
✨From Knicks City Dancer to Emmy-winning choreographer
✨Launching two bridal businesses during the pandemic
✨Working with some of the biggest names in music and TV
Breakthrough Lessons
Ego-Free Creativity Opens Doors
Danielle Flora’s story is proof that confidence and humility can co-exist—and that the most successful creatives lead with curiosity, not ego. Her willingness to learn, evolve, and collaborate has kept her relevant across decades of entertainment.
Her biggest lesson? Let the work speak for itself. When you create from a place of service and self-awareness, opportunities find you—even when the industry changes.
Episode Chapters
0:00 — Intro
2:40 — How we met: Debating our origin story
3:47 — From painfully shy to MTV’s The Grind: How one phone call changed everything
9:16 — She never wanted to be a dancer—she wanted to act
10:42 — The pivotal moment: From Knicks City Dancer to SNL choreographer
15:14 — Red hair and insecurities: Finding acceptance in dance, but not acting
21:52 — Staying true to her style while adapting: Why simple and clean always wins
25:03 — Lip Sync Battle behind the scenes: Season 2’s wild ride and Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s “Rhythm Nation”
28:15 — How her style has evolved: From corner crying to going with the flow
29:56 — Why she doesn’t love teaching—and how the industry has changed
33:52 — Word-of-mouth career: Why kindness and delivery matter more than popularity
35:33 — The bridesmaids shop: Building financial security during the writers’ strike
37:04 — Her pre-show mindset: Staying chill once the work is done
39:26 — She Moves days: Touring the world and her one regret
42:01 — When she wasn’t treated right: Speaking up vs. staying silent
44:26 — Choreography in the streaming era: Casting smart
46:05 — What’s next: Exploring beyond choreography
47:15 — Two quotes that guide her: Character and trusting your instincts
48:18 — Outro
Resources & Links
Ready for Your Breakthrough?
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👉 Learn More: https://offers.thisistbc.com/the-story-reset-method
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Connect with Danielle Flora:
🌐 Website: www.danielleflora.com
📱 Instagram: @danielle.flora
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Sources: Bio and photo provided by Danielle Flora; episode content adapted from The Breakthrough Collective Episode 2.
