From Beychella to Shakira’s Stage: Darina Littleton’s Journey in Dance

Darina Littleton has made her mark on some of music’s biggest stages, bringing versatility and leadership to a career that’s uniquely her own. As Shakira’s dance captain and lead dancer, she helps bring the singer’s vision to life—a role that began with casting dancers and teaching choreography. But the Los Angeles–raised performer had been building a career long before joining forces with La Loba.

Her love of dance began with her mom, a dancer and teacher who appeared on Soul Train and ran her own company. Littleton started tap dancing as a child with the Kennedy Tap Company. She told Semana that she earned a degree in dance from UC Irvine, then specialized in musical theater.

After graduating, Littleton took classes with choreographers JaQuel Knight and Luther Brown while auditioning and building industry connections. She later began assisting them on projects for artists such as Janet Jackson and Pharrell Williams—work she credits with helping her career take off. Her performance credits also include TLC, Janelle Monáe, and Becky G. In 2018, she danced with Beyoncé at Coachella, becoming part of the landmark performance, Beychella.

Her work extends behind the scenes, too. For Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” video, Littleton both danced and assisted Knight alongside Ashley Seldon.

Her partnership with Shakira began in 2019, ahead of the singer’s performance at the Davis Cup final in Spain. Littleton said she was brought in to help cast the dancers and teach choreography—not to perform. After Shakira mistook her for one of the dancers, the singer invited her to become her dance captain.

Since then, Littleton’s work with Shakira has taken her to the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in 2020, the 2024 MTV VMAs, Copacabana Beach in Brazil, and the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony and final this past summer. She has also performed throughout the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour and appeared in the “Dai Dai” music video. She is currently in Madrid for Shakira’s Es Latina European residency.

The role also calls for a close study of Shakira’s movement. In an interview with Live Nation, Littleton said she studied the singer’s earlier music videos to connect her signature style with her present-day choreography. She also spoke about the work ethic that motivates the team:

“I say it all the time, but I admire her so, so, so, so much,” Littleton told Live Nation. “Seeing her push makes us push and want to be her ride or die in that moment too.”

Littleton also told Semana that she wants to keep working with Shakira while also pursuing more theater and other artistic projects. Her ambitions extend beyond the stage she shares with La Loba.