A celebrity choreographer who has worked with the world's biggest stars such as Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Janet Jackson, and Nicki Minaj, is set to curate shows for Dubai's Expo 2020, Arabian Business reported.
Parris Goebel, known professionally as Parri$, has officially been appointed head curator of the event's entertainment and cultural program for the New Zealand pavilion. She will be creating and organizing a series of events to be showcased throughout the six-month-long event.
The New Zealander is a prominent choreographer whose biggest claim to fame was choreographing Bieber's Sorry music video in late 2015.
In a statement on her appointment, the successful choreographer said she was thrilled to be representing her country at the upcoming Dubai exhibition.
"I am so honoured and excited to announce that I’ve been chosen by our Prime Minister @jacindaardern as NZ’s Entertainment and cultural curator for the WORLD EXPO 2020 in Dubai. I'm so excited to show the world what we got!" Parri$ wrote in her Instagram caption, announcing the decision.
Last week, Parri$ presented her ideas for the Dubai event to Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Jacinda Ardern in Auckland. Following their meeting, the leader expressed her excitement over the choreographer's sets.
"I've had a sneak preview of Parris' plans and it is going to be spectacular and something New Zealanders will be very proud to have representing them. Importantly it will also show the special role arts and culture play not only in our national identity but in boosting our economy and helping strengthen international relationships," she said.
Preps for the expo event are well underway
Dubai has been getting ready to host the international exhibition since it won the right to do so in 2013. At the time, the emirate outranked more than eight cities including São Paulo (Brazil), Izmir (Turkey), Ekaterinburg (Russia), and Ayuthaya (Thailand).
Earlier this month, the Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum toured the premises of the upcoming expo and was left quite impressed. After his visit, the leader vowed to make Expo 2020 the best in its 168-year history.
Dubai will become the first Arab and Middle Eastern city to host the Expo — which is over a century old and a platform where several of the world's most important inventions were launched.
The history of World Expo is interesting to a point it single-handedly changed history as we know it.
"World Expos are famous for their groundbreaking architecture, from the Eiffel Tower in 1889 to the Space Needle in 1962," Chief Community Engagement Officer of Expo 2020 Dubai, Manal AlBayat, once told The National.
In 1885, the washing machine and lawnmower were first introduced in Paris at one of the World Expos (and these are only a few examples).
On Oct. 20, 2020, the six-month-long event is set to carry a theme titled "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future." It will also feature three sub-themes: "Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability."
The event - which features football star Lionel Messi as its global ambassador - is expected to attract 25 million visitors to Dubai.