"Fly Girl" Jossie Harris Thacker Danced For Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige & More | I Was A 90s Dancer 

Josie, Trish, Fatima and Big Lez were my favorite dancers in during the 90s. They definitely KILLED IT!!!!!

She created the look for Janet Jackson in Poetic Justice as it was modeled after Josie. I love her dancing it's rapid fire and you can feel the energy

In 13 minutes, she chronicled a time period of incredible music and culture.

She had that star quality as a dancer. Very recognizable especially when she was rocking the braids. She always stood out in the videos. My eyes would always zero in on her. I loved her in KRS One and Shabba Ranks video, The Jam, especially. I'm glad Jossie got a lot of exposure in Michael Jackson's video. She deserved it. Go Jossie!

Like she stated that "we owned our blackness...we may not have said it everyday but it's how we presented ourselves" It's long overdue for us to get back to this because I'm tired of our low denominator behavior!

I remember her distinctly from Janet Jackson’s “That’s the Way Love Goes” video 😍She was gorgeous! And to stand out next to Janet is saying something.

As a little girl, Josie was one of the first background dancers I kept recognizing. To me she will always be that "pretty dancer with the braids" in "Do You Remember the Time"

I love how she respected herself, and understood when it was time to leave the industry.

Jossie was BY FAR my favorite fly girl. And, seeing her in MJ's "Remember the Time" video, which is one of my favorite songs and videos of his, was so awesome to me. Love her

This woman does not know how much I wanted to be her when I was younger, every dance, song, video was what I wanted to do, be or be in! 🤩💃🏾🤸🏾‍♀️ lol 💐😇👸🏽 #ILoveThe90s #ILoveToDance #IMissThe90s 💖

I loved her as a kid! I thought she was the prettiest "Fly Girl"!!! #NaturallyBeautiful

When the camera's panned on her in the Michael Jackson's: Remember The Time... I was like : WHO IS THATTTT She's gorgeous -- STILL IS Jossie made her mark in this lifetime Hope to see more of her acting skills

I love the fact she did not compromise herself. Josie had a line should would not cross.

Totally a veteran in 90's hip hop dance culture. ❤

Excellent interview, you rarely hear people talk about the cultural explosion of black pride in the early 90’s, we always hear about the 70’s but rarely about the 90’s, kudos to her for this!

Soul Train was the balm for people burned by racism daily. It showcased Black style, Black power and Black pride all through music and dance. It welcomed all ethic groups and showed how we can unite and prosper underneath a protective ebony umbrella.

I loved her style! She's so gorgeous! 💖💞🦋

She’s also the voice that goes “here we go now” and “get busy” on Janet’s Throb! She’s definitely left her mark on dance and dance music history.

Jossie is one of the few dancers who danced with Michael and Janet. Love her. ♥️♥️♥️♥️

I feel so blessed to have grown up during the 90s. It was probably the best times of my life. Hip Hop and R&B was taking over the pop charts! The fashion trends were the best, the entire culture was thriving!! I had the biggest crush on Josie, she was so beautiful and could dance her ass off! You always could spot her in every video because of her long braids lol...I'm glad she got to tell her story because she was definitely admired back then and still is!! I'd give anything to relive those years! ❤❤

Yes. The 90's was definitely a throwback to black pride of the 70's with a new found twist. EVERYTHING in the 90's was in retro to the 70's black excellence acceptance. The entertainment was so excitingly creative and expressive as Black Americans were taking more interests in their own roots, and not feeling ashamed of it. The creativity and surge of excitement was electrifying. We were the "in" thing that other people wanted to imitate and be like. We were in demand to see on tv. It started hard in the 80's, but we became an explosive market of interest to greedy businesses willing to capitalize on us when the 90's rolled in. No good deed goes unpunished. But still, in spite of that....it was time to be seen and heard again. Jossie and Big Lez were definitely favorites on the scene. I think her and Lez were the only 2 dancers that I knew for sure whenever I first saw REMEMBER THE TIME. I loved Josie's look. The braids were everything. I wasn't sure if that was her in the Janet video because she looked kind of different, but when I did, I was like "go ahead, girl!" Certain dancers were on a different level. Debbie Allen is the fairy godmother that lots of melanated little girls looked up to, including me. I just knew one day I'd be able to dance for her and be working with her in some capacity. She was a goddess to me. Still is a major jagguarnaut in the business. I cry whenever I watch her in a special about the dance school she has with kids. Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you, Josie. You were not some penis ornament in the background of some machismo rap video. You didn't lower your standards and put a bad image of us out there. (Although, I understand the desperation to try to still be seen and get work. It seemed things turned into a set up that was not in a black woman's favor after toxic masculinity dominated things to boost their egos.) But you...You were a flygirl. You were a boss. #RESPECT

she’s a 90’s icon, for sure 💜

Ah the 90s, not only breakthrough period for African Americans but for the evolution of the culture of the country.

Josie is iconic. Back in the day EVERYBODY loved the ‘girl with the braids’ that was in all the music videos… that was such a legendary time for the culture! Those were good times… but yea, glad to see her still doing her thing! She looks good!😍

I grew up loving to see her as a Fly Girl on In Living Color and in different videos. The 90s were full of personality, style, and authenticity.

LOVE some Jossie and Big Lez!! They were my favorite dancers in the 90s! I swear I was going to dance in somebody's video back in the 90s. It was the "IT" thing. Dancers were always in the videos bringing the HEAT!! A GREAT time to be ALIVE in the 90s!!! Jossie has a Phenomenal career!! Glad she wasn't sexualized and bowed out! Go Jossie...thank you for sharing!!

love this. dancers are so important but don't get the shine they deserve

Along with JLo, who cannot forget Jossie? She stood out- pretty lady with the ponytail braids! I remember watching IN LIVING COLOR back in the day and then seeing her in the Classic MJ video and Janet Jackson's video as well. Thank you again, Soul Train for another dope documentary.

I have to agree with her when she says the 90s were special! I didn't realize it at the time how blessed I was to be alive during such a pivotal moment in black history. Thank you so much for this upload. She really articulated so many emotions very well

Wow, she looked so beautiful and still is today.

To dance for MJ!? In “Remember the Time”!? Wow what a pleasure for her. The 90s music scene seemed like an ethereal time for black people. Just good vibes all around👏So dope to see. Loved Jossie’s story. She looks fab. 😍

Wow...she def is literally the epitome of living in her truth. I'm more in awe that she worked in wall street and reached stardom by working with legendary artists such as MJ, Janet, Heavy D etc. I'm loving this series and 90s were such a vibe(this is coming from someone who grew up in the 90s). I miss the 90s. We couldn't be touched.

Jossie and Big Lez 🙌🏾❤️❤️

Jossie is/was my favorite fly girl. She's so pretty. I always wanted to be a fly girl.

She played RENEE in the Lost Boys video.

The 90's dancing and music was epic, coming from a 70's baby 😍

I love Josie. She was definitely the IT girl of the 90s. Alongside Fatima, Leslie, J-Lo and more

Man, I wanted to be her so bad!! She was so fly and still is gorgeous!!

Wow she's the one with the braids!!! A real standout. The hair style was eveything!everything!! Thanks for telling your story.

We all loved Josie in the 90s! She was that girl!!!!! I follow her on IG and she is still doing her thing!!!

"Nurse Gottabody" IYKYK🤷🏾‍♀️🤌🏾🤣

I remember her from videos. She stood out with the braids & doing the bump with Janet. I'm glad she did the video because she is showing she is smart & did not sell out before during or after.

I remember her being on both Michael & Janet videos

I made a Black History post about Josie in the past. She was one of THEE most recognizable dancers in the 90’s! She was a Fly Girl, and danced with the greats from Michael to Janet Jackson. She deserves the recognition! 👏🏾🏆👏🏾

As a fellow New Yorker, Josie is part of the magical culture I grew up in, in the 90's. Every club mentioned I've been to!💃🏾❤ Those yrs were very special and I always knew she would go far as her talent & drive was undeniable!👑

Looks like that’s where the “poetic justice braids” hairstyle came from! Such an amazing & memorable dancer! ❤️

Josie was definitely one of my favorite 90's dancers. Her appearance in Remember the Time was EPIC.

I totally agree 💯 ..The 80's and 90's was a whole different level..The music, dancing, clothes..The whole vibe was a special time in life..

Always loved her as a dancer, glad to see how successful she became…

She told my whole teenage young adult life in those 13 minutes. The 90s was everything if you were in or from NYC 💃 Tunnel, Shadows, Bentley's...etc.

Josie Harris is a star, she was fabulous in every video.

Being proud of our culture, our Blackness! I loved how she summed it up because that's EXACTLY what it was and felt like. 🙏🏾

I never knew she was a dancer I came to know of her as an actress. What an amazing career she’s had. Love her even more.

I smiled the entire video 😁so nostalgic for me growing up in the 90s as an adolescent mimicking the dances in videos. Jossie was one of my favorites, I'm glad to see she's doing well.

Ugh, I recognized her immediately. She was everything and everywhere when I was growing up! 😻 I LOVE how she knew her worth from jump and didn’t waiver! Over here setting trends and most importantly, boundaries!

Being a Janet fan through my mom. Going back and watching Janet videos learning choreography. Josie was the dancer who stood out to me & then learning about her start is similar to mine. Relating to not being a trained dancer and still out here killing it! What a Queen.

To be "THAT GIRL" back in the day!! 🖤 I definitely missed an era! 😩

She was EVERYWHERE, and when you saw her, you smiled because you "knew" her. I'm glad to see she's still thriving. I miss that time (my high-school/college years). What a moment!

Jossie is a LEGEND! One of my favorite dancers of all times. Her unique look and style made her stand out in a highly-competitive industry.

She is STILL so beautiful ! She is beautiful inside and out…. 💯

Me & my homegirls loooved Jossie back in the day...so nice to see her again!!

She definitely would kill it in every video she was in...I always admired her and when Josie and Big Lez left the scene so did the good quality of dancing in videos!

Afro-Latina! What an intelligent, classy, gorgeous, prideful woman!! Now this is a true black beauty. Respect to her.

I LOVE this series! I was born in ‘89 but my aunties put me on to all the 80s and 90s hits. I love watching Soul Train reruns and wish I could have been there to experience it in person. 🥰💖

Yesss bout time give the dancers thier props🔥🔥

Maaan she just went through a list of names I remember them well!! Great people and talents 🔥

I love her recalling MJs Remember the Time video 🙌🏽

Don Cornelius was feeling Big Les! 😂

She's a damn legend. She was everywhere lol

Always remember her and those braids. Helluva dancer. Glad she stood for something and kept it moving. Nostalgic 90s!

WOW.Always look forward to these 90s rollbacks with dancers/soul-train dancers,this didn't disappoint.Jossie carved out quite the career for herself,going from club-dancer working on wallstreet to pro-dancer in music videos,going on tour with high-profile entertainers then to tv and film actress.Professional writer also.She said dancing was her escape,mine too,during the 90s I was in the US Navy assigned to the USS KITTYHAWK,going thru a refit at the Naval Shipyards in Philly.Dancing,playing ball,going to movies and watching them and chasing women were my escapes.Being around all that bravado and machismo gets annoying after while,need to balance it with some estrogen!!! LOL.Not only is dancing good exercise,it releases them endorphines,the bodies feel good medicine.LOL.

What a time to be alive in the 90’s!!

So happy to know that Jossie is doing great in her career after the 90s dance era she was the Flyest Girl in the group to me I wanted to be just like her! She is beautiful and very humble go Jossie! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Wow that’s my girl right there what an amazing dancer the box braids will always be her signature♥️🤸🏽‍♀️💪🏽

Wow she has a beautiful spirit and she’s a New Yorker, love to see it ❤️ I remember I use to see her in the MJ’s video and thought she was so gorgeous 😍

That’s dope how it was just meant for her. She didn’t go looking for a career in dance it chose her 🙏🏾

In living color fly girls are amazing

This is everything! I always wondered who the girl was in the 'Remember The Time video", with the braids , now I know , & i had no idea that was her in Janet Jackson's video "That's The Way love goes" this was very informative, & I love how her life turned out so positive, your work is definitely appreciated Jossie

She didn't compromise herself, she knew her worth. Right On! When she said No she wouldn't dress a certain way. So much respect for her. She's one of my favorites dancers.

I must say she is soooo beautiful. Her facial structure reminds me of Vivica Fox somehow.

Totally love her. What she did for the culture and representation of us, is second to none ❤️❤️💜🌸🌸

I used to always say 🗣️ that BLACK SiSTER with Braids/ Eye Liner was the the 1 in the Video 😳✊🏼👍🏼💞😍👸🏽👑

They have to interview MC Hammer's original dancer Terrible T, Sweet LD and Lil P.

The 90s was absolutely fabulous😍😍

She was always my favorite dancer. Pretty brown eyes, beautiful brown braids, and danced her ass off with the best moves! I always looked for her...and always found her. Definitely a shining part of my childhood. 💫❤😍

Josie, Big Lez, Fatima and so many other ladies were the original video vixens⭐️They exemplified strength, beauty, style and they could dance their asses off. The 90’s was a whole vibe that represented the culture with music and fashion, with cross-colors, starter jackets, combat boots, african medallions! Just all around good times 😊 It’s so good to see she’s doing well and still beautiful #dimplesgang 🙌🏾

Josie grew up in my hood! I remember she used to rock this big beautiful afro in the 80s. I used to dance in talent shows when I was younger and I can remember her coming up to me in the street and telling me I was a good dancer and to keep at it, which I did not. This happened before she was a fly girl. But I had seen her dance before and I felt so honored to be getting a compliment from her because she was slightly older than me and truly was a fly girl. I'll never forget that and I always regretted not becoming a dancer.

Jossie was definitely template for me, as I was a tomboy. Her and Leslie. Great to hear from her! Thank you

I remember several of these videos! She was such a cool dancer, she killed it!

She danced in Remember the Time video.. she don’t need to say anything else lol I love her!!❤️❤️

I used to study the hell out of the choreo in the music videos back then. In the 90’s the dancers also had a fan base and a following, some times just as big as the artists they danced with. Jossie ALWAYS stood out in what ever project she was a part of.

Just WOW!😲...I remember her from Mj Remember the time..didnt know she was in Janet Jackson videos ..i remember her in Thats the way love goes video..She has done alot ..i would like to see her do more with her acting and other things..Very Humble down to earth person☝😌👍👋👋👋👋

Such a beauty! I was always mesmerized watching her in music videos on the 90’s. So happy to see she’s still thriving and just as beautiful.

OMG! I wanted to dance like her growing up. She so inspired me!

One of my favs.she was always dope😍

That Mississippi Damned was soooo good. One of my favorites

My 18 year old is coming out of me when I see Jossie

So much respect to her! What an absolutely amazing journey! Nothing like the 90's

Josie looks great! Glad to see her here, she was awesome

Whoever came up with this idea and saw it through is brilliant.