An Update on the Past SYTYCD Winners
From the ratings, it is apparent that just about everyone loves So You Think You Can Dance and the contestants on the show. 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.
Nick Lazzarini was winner on the first season of SYTYCD. Nick was an incredible dancer, a beautiful soul and also quite handsome :). “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. He also is a founding member of Evolution Dance Company. Currently Nick also works with Jump Tours, which puts on classes and performances.
Benji Schwimmer was probably the most entertaining contestant to grace the screens on SYTYCD and was also the season 2 winner. 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. He took the car and cash but did turn down the gig with Celine, stating it was an honor but he didn’t want to live in Vegas but wanted to travel and pursue television. Well, he is certainly 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. This movie was originally planned as a TV movie, but as it turns out, it will be released in Theaters in these coming months. Rumor on the street is he is also to be casted in two more movies in the 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. She is truly a talented dancer and deserved it. Sabra has since been featured on the cover of “Movmnt Magazine in February 2008. Additionally, Sabra travels the world teaching dance in countries such as South Africa and Australia. 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.
Joshua Allen is the most recent winner of SYTYCD on season 4, taking home the grand prize of $250,000. Because of how recent his win was, there unfortunately isn’t too much to report on him. However he has been busy. Joshua was one of the least trained dancers on the show but really showed his talents to the world. Also, like Benji, he was never found among the bottom three dancers. Currently, Joshua teaches workshops around the country such as hip hop. It will be interesting to see how his career develops over the years and where this win will take him. Whatever he does though, he will be living his dream.