Salim’s career started in his native country Belgium, at the Koninklijke Balletschool – S.I.B. in Antwerp. At the age of seventeen, he auditioned in Belgium for a scholarship to Steps on Broadway in New York City and won it.
In 1990 he began his collaboration with Madonna. He is famous for his performances in The Blond Ambition Tour, her film, Truth or Dare, also featured in her Vogue video. He has worked with artists like George Michael, Aretha Franklin, Toni Braxton, Taylor Dane and Britney Spears, to name a few. He danced for Mia Michaels' company R.A.W and with Margo Sappington's Company where he performed with Valentina Kozlova. He performed in New York City Opera's productions of Salome, Daphne, and Candide. His Broadway credits include Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, and Mambo Kings.
His work choreographing the number for the Aida cast's performance at BCEFA won Gypsy of the Year 2003. He also presented two world premieres set on Orlando Ballet under the Artistic Direction of Fernando Bujones. His work I Breathe You In was performed at Orlando Ballet’s production A World of Dance under the Artistic Direction of Bruce Marks. Salim created ballet works in Buenos Aires which were part of Argentina’s Mozarteum Program ’07 and 2010. Salim won the choreography award at the YAPG 2008 in South Carolina.
His Fashion credits include choreographing a Revlon commercial with Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen and Claudia Schiffer, shot by Bruce Webber, a Gianni Versace Campaign shot by Herb Ritts, a Philip Morris Campaign shot by David Lachapelle. He has choreographed three advertising campaigns and video commercials for Longchamp, featuring supermodels Coco Rocha and Alexa Chung, and a Cover and editorial spread with Anne Hathaway shot by Alexei Hay for Glamour Magazine. Salim also made a guest appearance in The Face featuring Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova and Coco Rocha, hosted by Nigel Barker. Salim was also featured alongside Chita Rivera, and Paloma Herrera in an article for New You Magazine. Salim choreographed on set for a W Magazine layout shot by Emma Summerton.
In 2016 the Documentary Strike a Pose premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, then at Tribeca Film Festival featuring Salim and the rest of Madonna's Truth or Dare dancers. The film received rave reviews by The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Die Welt am Sonntag, De Morgen, de Volkskrant, People Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, Perez Hilton, The New York Post, The Village Voice.
Salim is currently teaching workshops all over the world and working on his autobiography.
03.04.2023
