Beyonce Accused of Plagiarizing Choreographer

By Sheila Marikar
@SheilaYM
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Update: Beyonce has released the following statement in response to the controversy:

“Clearly, the ballet “Rosas danst Rosas” was one of many references for my video, “Countdown.”  It was one of the inspirations used to bring the feel and look of the song to life.  I was also paying tribute to the film, “Funny Face” with the legendary Audrey Hepburn.

“My biggest inspirations were the 60′s, the 70′s, Brigitte Bardot, Andy Warhol, Twiggy and Diana Ross.    Adria Petty, the co- director, showed me the contemporary ballet from almost thirty years ago.  It was refreshing, interesting and timeless.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the way contemporary art uses different elements and references to produce something unique.  The video already has close to two million views so hopefully the fans will look at all the tributes and then discover Audrey Hepburn, Warhol, Bardot, “Rosas danst Rosas” and all the works that inspired me and shaped this video.”

Original Post:

Beyonce has been called out for copycat choreography again, this time for her “Countdown” video in which she flaunts her new baby bump. Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker reportedly told Belgian radio station Studio Brussel that B’s latest video amounts to “plagiarism.”

“What’s rude about it is that they don’t even bother about hiding it,” the Washington Post quoted De Keersmaker as saying. “They seem to think they could do it because it’s a famous work. … Am I honored? Look, I’ve seen local school kids doing this. That’s a lot more beautiful.”

In a YouTube video that splices “Countdown” with De Keersmaeker’s work, the similarities are clear.

A rep for Beyonce did not immediately respond to ABCNews.com’s request for comment.

The Grammy winner has been accused of ripping off dance moves before. Her video for “Run The World (Girls)” featured scenes that resembled the work of photographer Pieter Hugo. And earlier this year, Beyonce’s performance at the Billboard Music Awards was accused of being a ripoff of a performance by Italian dancer and singer Lorella Cuccarini.  Beyonce later revealed that it had definitely been inspired by Cuccarini.

ABC News Radio’s Andrea Dresdale contributed to this post.