LisaRaye dances nonstop to House remix of Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song” at Chosen Few Festival [VIDEO]
Actress and Chicago native served as co-host at 36th annual event, bringing energy to DJ Terry Hunter’s set
LisaRaye McCoy danced continuously to a house music remix of Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song” at the 36th annual Chosen Few Picnic & Music Festival in Chicago, with footage of her nonstop performance going viral. The actress and model, who served as a co-host for the event, has drawn praise for her energy and endurance at age 58.
The video clip, posted by @ArtOfDialogue_, shows LisaRaye in an all-white outfit dancing onstage during DJ Terry Hunter’s set. She moves her hips, pumps her fists, and sways to the beat without stopping throughout the footage. The video has accumulated over 472,000 views, with fans celebrating her connection to Chicago’s house music culture.
Nonstop Dance Captured Across Three Minutes
LisaRaye was on stage wearing a short, form-fitting white dress, white sneakers, and a black-and-neon-yellow visor. Her dark hair is pulled into a low ponytail. She holds a black microphone in her right hand. Meanwhile, she raised her left arm high, swaying her hips and body side-to-side in rhythm with the pulsating house beat. Behind her is a DJ booth with multiple people. In the crowd included a man in a black “WAKEYO” T-shirt. Additionally, there were others working the equipment.
Throughout the clip, LisaRaye maintains continuous, rhythmic dancing—hip sways, steps, arm pumps, and turns—without stopping. Her facial expressions show enjoyment and engagement, with wide smiles visible throughout the nearly three-minute clip. At one point, she raises her right fist while continuing to move, fully immersed in the moment. Her ponytail swings with each movement, and her white dress moves with her as she steps and turns across the stage.
The background shows large LED screens displaying live crowd footage as audience members, many holding phones and wearing festival wristbands, film the performance. A Rode microphone boom is visible in the foreground, and the crowd includes attendees in straw hats and other festival attire. The stage setting includes speakers and festival branding, with a man in a light blue shirt and another with a camera also visible.
Chicago House Music and the Chosen Few Festival
The Chosen Few Picnic & Music Festival, now in its 36th year, is recognized as the world’s longest-running house music festival. It originated in 1990 as a small gathering organized by the Chosen Few DJs collective behind the Museum of Science and Industry. The event has grown into a major celebration of Chicago house music, which originated in the city in the early 1980s and has influenced electronic music worldwide.
The 2026 festival took place on July 11 at Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side. This year, attendance exceeding 40,000 people. LisaRaye served as an official co-host alongside Robin Robinson. With that, they participated in pre-event promotions including appearances on local television to discuss the festival and house music’s Chicago roots. She appeared on CBS Chicago with DJs Tony Hatchett and Terry Hunter. In addition, she appeared on Windy City LIVE, discussing the festival’s cultural significance.
The specific moment captured in the video occurred during DJ Terry Hunter’s set, featuring a house remix of Michael Jackson’s 1995 song “Earth Song.” The remix fits the festival’s tradition of blending classic tracks with Chicago house production. All of this created an energetic atmosphere that LisaRaye embraced fully. The house remix transforms the original ballad into an upbeat dance track. Meanwhile, Michael Jackson’s vocals were layered over pulsating house beats typical of Chicago house style.
A Hometown Figure’s Return to Chicago’s South Side
LisaRaye, born September 23, 1967, in Chicago, is a South Side native who has maintained strong ties to her hometown throughout her career. She is best known for her role as Diana “Diamond” Armstrong in the 1998 film The Players Club, as well as appearances on “All of Us” and “Single Ladies.” She has also worked as a model, fashion designer, and businesswoman.
Her participation in the festival as co-host represents a homecoming of sorts. After all, the actress returned home to celebrate the music and culture of her native city. Pre-event coverage emphasized her Chicago roots and the significance of her involvement. Local media highlighted her presence as a connection to the city’s cultural heritage.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch publicly thanked LisaRaye and Robin Robinson for their roles in the event, which he described as bringing more than 40,000 people together around house music. The festival’s ability to draw such large crowds reflects the enduring popularity of house music and its cultural significance to Chicago.
X Praises LisaRaye’s Energy and Appearance
The post received 179 replies and most of the comments were positive. Many viewers praised her appearance and energy at age 58. “The fact she still looks gorgeous at 60 🔥” one user wrote. Meanwhile, another person commented “She looks gorgeous and free💖.” The compliments reflected appreciation for her youthful appearance and vitality.
Some viewers focused on her dance stamina. As a result, one of the comments said: “LisaRaye did not stop dancing the whole time!!!! She was getting it for houurrrssssss!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾” Another added “Love people who feel music with no shame.” So, their comment captured the appreciation for her uninhibited enjoyment. The continuous nature of her dancing captured over nearly three minutes, impressed viewers.
Others expressed hometown pride, with one user commenting “One thing those Chicagoans gonna do is get hyped to some House music! 🙌🏾” The cultural significance of her dancing at the festival was noted by multiple commenters, who appreciated seeing a Chicago native embrace the city’s musical heritage.
Humorous and Critical Responses
Some replies took a more humorous tone. There was one person who said: “Diamond can still get put through the mattress TODAY” referencing her iconic Players Club character. Another joked “Diamond looking like a Cubic Zirconia” with a reaction video. The references to her film role reflected the lasting impact of her career on pop culture.
A small number of replies offered criticism or jokes about specific details. Her ponytail and dance style ended up becoming a topic of discussion. As a result, one person commented “That ponytail pissin me off lol.” Meanwhile, there was another person who described her movements as “bopping” rather than full dancing. Some questioned whether her movements constituted dancing or simple stepping.
Defenders pushed back against any negativity. With that, there was one person who said: “These comments are mad weird! This is a woman pushing 60 with good knees still look beautiful and youthful and clearly having a good time.” The protection of her joyful moment became a theme among supportive replies. As a result, multiple users emphasized that she was simply enjoying herself.
The House Remix of “Earth Song” Fit the Festival’s Style
The remix of Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song” featured the original vocals layered over upbeat house beats, a style typical of Chicago house music. The track’s emotional intensity combined with the festival’s celebratory atmosphere created a memorable moment.
Hunter, a longtime Chosen Few DJ, is known for blending classic tracks with house production. His set, which included the “Earth Song” remix, was one of the festival’s highlights.
LisaRaye’s dance to the track became one of the most shared moments from the festival. The footage captured her joy and connection to the music, resonating with viewers who appreciate house culture.
A Joyful Moment at a Cultural Institution
LisaRaye’s continuous dancing, captured over nearly three minutes, has been widely shared as an example of unbridled joy and engagement with the music. The clip shows her fully immersed in the moment, without concern for how she might appear.
The festival itself holds deep cultural significance for Chicago, having grown from a small gathering to one of the city’s most beloved annual events. The presence of hometown figures like LisaRaye reinforces the festival’s connection to the community it serves and the cultural heritage it represents.
LisaRaye’s moment on stage has become a symbol of the energy and joy that the Chosen Few Festival brings to Chicago’s South Side. Her enthusiasm and willingness to fully embrace the moment have resonated with viewers who appreciate the cultural significance of house music in its birthplace. The clip has become one of the most discussed moments of the 2026 festival, capturing the spirit of an event that celebrates Chicago’s musical legacy.