Anecdotes

Her mother is an architect and her father, Safy Boutella, is a jazz musician. In 1992, the family moved from Algeria to France in the middle of the Algerian Civil War.

Michael Jackson was so impressed with her dancing that while she was touring with Madonna, he offered her a spot on his "This Is It" tour. Although the tour never happened on account of Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, she appeared as the lead in the music video of his posthumously released song "Hollywood Tonight" (2011).

In 2007, her breakthrough as a dancer came when she was chosen for the Jamie King choreography for Nike Women's "Keep Up" campaign, serving as a role model of femininity and hip-hop. This was a major boost in her career and lead to more work alongside stars like Madonna, in her Confessions Tour, and Rihanna. She credits her work with Madonna for helping her learn English.

Her artistic influences include Fred Astaire, Jean Michel Basquiat, Daniel Day-Lewis and Bob Fosse.

She took up hip-hop and street dance, and was part of a group called the Vagabound Crew, which won the Battle of the Year (2006). She also participated in a group called Chienne de Vie and Aphrodities created by Mono from the Vagabound Crew.

Speaks French and English fluently.

She began classical dance education at age five, began rhythmic gymnastics at age 10, and joined the French national team at age 18. She then attended and graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

Was in a relationship with Robert Sheehan (March 2014-October 2018).

Her surname means "the men of the mountains".

Currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Cousin of actress Shirine Boutella.