Choreographer: Annie Leibovitz, ‘Vanity Fair’ team an absolute nightmare to work with

Working with Annie Leibovitz and her staff on Vanity Fair’s much-hyped “Young Hollywood” cover was an absolute nightmare says celebrity choreographer John Byrne, who was drafted to choreograph the March cover–which features rising stars Kristen Stewart, Amanda Seyfried, Anna Kendrick, Carey Mulligan and five other promising beauties.

“It was a horrible, horrible experience and the set was an absolutely horrid and repressed place,” he tells TabloidProdigy.com. “I consider myself a professional and have had a great time working with some of the world’s greatest and most demanding choreographers, directors and photographers–but working with Annie Leibovitz’s crew was the most demeaning experience I’ve had.”

Byrne describes the shoot’s environment as hostile and tense, and says that while Annie Leibovitz is a “pleasant” person, her Vanity Fair team and work practices left a lot to be desired.

“One woman definitely crossed a line with me at one point, and from what I have heard since this experience–from other artists in the industry–is Ms. Leibovitz’s studio and her Vanity Fair producer are commonly considered bullies,” he added.

The 26-year-old, who has a talk show debuting March 21, also took to his blog to blast the magazine–and makes it clear how he feels about working with the Leibovitz/VF brigade : “If You Wanna be Disrespected and Depressed–Work for Vanity Fair.” He added: “Pretty much the looks on the models’ faces sums up the whole experience…lol  I am so blessed to have loving and uplifting artists to work with that actually have fun and enjoy the process.  Vanity Fair NEVER again!”

Byrne has now found what he considers as more uplifting work in the form of his latest effort, “The John Byrne Show,” airing Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on Manhattan Neighborhood Network (in NYC, channel 56/Time Warner Cable). He describes it as a variety/talk program “kind of like a mash between ‘Mr. Rogers’ and Richard Simmons” that will feature special guests and explore topics like style, fitness, and will “bring inspiration to New York.”

Previously Byrne appeared as the choreographer on Canada’s So You Think You Can Dance, and was a contestant on reality dance competition series Dirty Dancing: The Time of Your Life. His previous choreography credits include working with Elton John, Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani & Joss Stone.

John Byrne’s vlog:

The John Byrne Show teaser: