Lionsgate, and Exercise TV hale Billy Blanks Jr. as the face for the new generation of fitness. He is best known for designing feel good fitness programs that make fitness fun and that are all inclusive for families. After an appearance on the Ellen Degeneres show Billy’s first program Cardioke created a worldwide media frenzy, and since then Billy has been featured on ABC, NBC, CNN, MTV, VH1, FOX, ENDEMOL UK, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, E!, PEOPLE MAGAZINE, SHAPE, STYLE NETWORK, AOL, YAHOO, RUBY, and more. Since childhood Billy was raised in an entertainment and fitness environment. Billy Jr. often led and taught fitness classes on behalf of his father (Tae Bo creator Billy Blanks) as early as the age of 12 and developed the structure and training necessary to become a fitness trainer.
From youth he gained much exposure and experience in the world of dance and entertainment working professionally. Paula Abdul has been Billy’s mentor and friend since he was in grade school. Billy soon gained experience by choreographing school musical productions and creating after school dance groups to give youth a positive outlet to utilize their time.
As Billy’s experience and notoriety grew, and as an untrained dancer he earned roles in music videos with Madonna, Crystal Method, Quincy Jones, Babyface, and Paula Abdul. His credits also include TV appearances on the shows American Dreams with Alicia Keys, The Practice, Sister Sister, Kids Incorportated, Homeboys From Outer Space, My Cousin Skeeter, and The Tonight Show.
Billy starred as “Tyrone Jackson” in the US touring company of the Broadway musical Fame and also toured throughout all of Europe. He was offered the same role in the show’s return to Broadway, but Billy stayed in LA to focus on directing and choreography. Billy has directed and choreographed the annual WeSparkle celebrity concert for the WeSpark Cancer Support Center. Featured performers included Tom Hanks, Jason Alexander, Brian Cranston, Joey Lawrence, Britney Spears, Michael Chiklis, Hal Sparks, the cast of Will & Grace, and a total of 45 premiere celebrities. After originally being hired as the choreographer, Billy was promoted the next year to being both director and choreographer because of his skill in motivating and teaching the celebrities to sing and dance.
The fitness industry’s only power duo, Billy and his wife Sharon have taught together since the year 2000 and due to the excitement and high demand for their newest workout Billy Blanks Jr.’s-Dance With Me they are in the process creating their official certification program so that people across the US can experience what everyone is talking about. They are estactic about their partnership with Lionsgate and are proud to be Exercise TV’s first official DVD for nationwide retail release. Stay tuned for the release of their most anticipated work out DVD’s BILLY BLANKS JR.’s “DANCE WITH ME- CARDIO FIT” and “DANCE WITH ME- GROOVE & BURN”.Billy and Sharon are also in the process of launching their two TV shows “Meet The Blanks” a lifestyle reality show and their own original show “America’s Fit Party”.
Billy is a loving father of Elijah Blanks, and proud uncle to nephew Levi Brown and Rocco and Titus Cimarosti.
