An Update on the Past SYTYCD Winners
Saturday, May 23rd, 2009We all love “So You Think You Can Dance” and the contestants. Not to mention, we especially adore the lucky dancers we voted to win the show. Despite our interest in the dancers though, no one seems to really know what the former winners are doing today. For some it has been as long as four years, and for others, not even one year. Here is a look at what they are doing now since winning SYTYCD.
In the premier season of SYTYCD, Nick Lazzarini was the lucky winner and voted “America’s favorite dancer”. Not only was he an amazing dancer, but was also a great person and quite good looking :). “America’s favorite dancer”, Nick, was awarded $100,000, and a year lease in a New York City Penthouse. Nick, living in California, decided to take the cash value of the penthouse instead. Since the show, Nick was on the cover of Dance Spirit twice, being the first person to do so ever for the magazine. Nick also co-founded a Cali based dance studio, Evolution Dance Company. As of most recent, Nick works with Jump Tours, a convention full of classes and performances of amazing dancers.
The season 2 winner of SYTYCD is arguably the most entertaining and charismatic of all the SYTYCD contestants throughout the shows airing, Benji Schwimmer. Not only did Benji claim the title of “America’s favorite dancer”, but he also received a car, $100,000 cash and a highly coveted year contract to be in Celine Dion’s Vegas show. Benji gratefully took the car and cash, however, he did respectfully turn down the offer to work in Celine Dion’s show stating that he did not wish to live in Vegas and that he wants to pursue television and travel freely. One thing is for sure, he is definitely traveling. After the tour was completed, Benji, along with his dance partner and cousin Heidi, have been traveling the world teaching dance and selling their instructional dance DVD’s. Benji is also co-producing a movie about dancers called Love N’ Dancing. Love N’ Dancing was originally filmed to be a TV movie, however has since turned into a theatre released movie. Benji is also rumored to be casted in two other films in the near future. Additionally, Benji was in Christina Aguilera’s music video “Candyman”. More recently, Benji was featured in Dancer Magazine in a ten page spread in addition to his photography, CLK’d by BNJI.
Sabra Johnson was the first female winner on the show, taking home the grand prize of $250,000. What is even more amazing is that she had only been dancing four years before she came on the show. Not only is she a brilliant dancer but she is also a master at showmanship and deserved the win. Since the show she has been on the cover of “Movmnt Magazine”, February 2008 edition. She has also been traveling the world teaching dance including Australia and South Africa. As far as more prominent future goals? Sabra does have the desire to bring her Talents to Broadway and dance professionally. I personally hope she goes into Broadway, I think she would be amazing and an absolute joy to watch.
The most recent winner of SYTYCD is season 4s’ Joshua Allen, who took home the title along with $250,000 There isn’t too much to report on him since his win didn’t take place as long as even a year ago, but he has been around. Unlike the previous winners, Joshua had the least amount of professional training. Also, like Benji, he was never found among the bottom three dancers. Since the show he has been teaching workshops around the country. I am curious to know what the next several years hold for him, one thing is for sure though. What ever he does, he will be living his dream.