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One of this summer’s hottest shows was "So You Think You Can Dance." Because we all identify with that "you" in that title, Seattleites, like our counterparts across the country, tuned in en masse to the dance-offs on TV. (On average, more of us watched the show than people in other cities, helping it hit No. 1 in its summertime time slots nationwide for the coveted 18-49 demographic). We also bought every ticket to tonight’s tour-opening show at the Paramount — in 30 minutes.Undoubtedly, some of us will be there just to see hometown hip-hop artist Ivan Koumaev. He’s one of the top 10 dancers, now on a two-month, 35-city tour, with second shows added in two lucky cities: New York and Tampa, Fla.This thirst for dance isn’t just a passing fancy — it’s more like an obsession."Everyone has a secret wish to dance in front of millions of people," said winner Benji Schwimmer. "Everyone has a bit of dance inside them." Why does "America’s favorite dancer" think the show’s been so popular?"The most gorgeous people on Earth under one camera."Joking aside, Benji believes that co-creator Nigel Lythgoe is ultimately responsible for the success of the show. "He found a way of having America understand the hard work and see the passion — the emotional side, personal side and technical side of dance. People can just relate … whether they can do a turn or not," Benji said.Final-four finisher Heidi Groskreutz believes it’s because various styles of dancing, from krumping to jive, appeal to different age groups."Everybody likes to dance — and if they say they hate it, they only hate it because they don’t think they can do it."The dancers spoke by phone from L.A., where they’ve been putting in 12-hour days for two weeks, training under the leadership of two dance captains: Travis Wall and Donyelle Jones.How are they doing?"Exhausted. I haven’t slept in the last four months, but I’m just happy to be here working," said Benji, who dropped a bit of news, too. For those gearing up to buy tickets to see Benji in the new Celine Dion musical, here’s a tip: Don’t.The West Coast Swing specialist told us he turned down the contract, which was part of the prize package for the second-season winner of "So You Think You Can Dance." "That really wasn’t my genre of dance … It’s an honor, [but] that’d be like an environmental lawyer with a contract to represent O.J. Simpson."Performing with Dion would’ve also tied him to Vegas for a full year, he said. Benji wanted to remain close to his family and the dance studio that he co-owns in Redlands, Calif. — more than 200 miles away.But this guy’s not done with his 15 minutes of fame. He’s working several different projects from writing and co-producing a movie about dancing (Heidi told us she’ll appear with cousin Benji in this one) to working on a TV show on the lives of dancers."You’ll definitely be seeing me a lot more," he said.Early favorite Allison Holker, also on the tour, wants to get a taste of life outside of the dance world. "I would love to go to college eventually," she said, and have a family in addition to work. "I’ll be doing a lot of teaching and choreographing" after the tour.She’s also considering joining a modern-dance company and reprising her "High School Musical" role in the sequel.
Seattle Times
So now it is official that Benji will not be doing Celine Dion’s show! Can you blame him?
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 Wud up everyone!
I’m gonna be going on the "So You Think You Can Dance" tour.
I know I know, I wasn’t in the top 10, I was a part of the BOTTOM 10 ha ha but they asked me to do it  sweet huh? Yea I know. Anyways, let me know if any of you are comin’ and what city you’re gonna be at so I can maybe shout a holla 
Love you all and hope to hear from you soon.
Peace out!
Jaymz’s MySpace
I wonder who left the tour for him to take their place?
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 hey guys…well some new twists and turns of events have conspired in the last few days…
so much news to announce. I have agreed to do my first feature film with heidi. Its dubbed "For Love and Dance" …we both will have soeaking roles in it to get our feet wet. We play champion swing dancers(far fetched eh?)…its going to be a lot of fun and we film at the end of this year after the tour. Tour is coming along very well….we are in our second day of rehersals…theyre going great!!!! Great dancing with everyone again. The whole conceptualization of the tour is just awesome! We reherse in a secret location right next to Janet and her tour as well as Pink and Tom Petty. I have a new song I will be doing for my solo in the tour. That should be fun!!!
On other news…
Sadly, the Fred Astaire movie is not going to happen. BUT!!!! I have just recieved a few new scripts and Im wrestling with a few different sitcoms and possibly Broadway shows coming after the tour. Things are crazy right now….butin a good way!!! Im just counting my lucky stars and blessings….DEMAND is coming along amazingly. I have new staff working on getting the website up as well as international recognition coming to the forfront for more exposure and attention. Come the end of the year I will be asking for volunteers as well as donations and fundraisers so keep in touch with this site in the coming months.
I love you guys…and miss performing live on TV for all of you…CANT WAIT FOR THE TOUR!
Brush your teeth!!!
Benji’s MySpace blog
I am so going to see that movie! I love dancing movie and I love Benji, so what more can a girl ask for!
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 Howdy? como estan?
well guys im beat, tried messages a lot today.
things were great today…i got to see my folks for the first time since I won. That was great. I got to drive me old car for the first time in 3 months. I just watched the Fantasia story…I can relate the feelings she went through. Great story! WEll Im off…I have some cool ventures im working on. Look out for tranji merchandise and possibly some Benjelle action as well for the wonderful fans. Heidi and I are on board for making instructional dvds the week after the tour ends….so sit tight! Love ya’ll
benji
p.s. DEMAND…is getting an enormous amount of response. Website under construction……I love the world….the world is so giving right now…its sauch a blessing!!!!!
Brush your teeth!
bEnJi’s (MySpace Blog)
I so want those DVDs
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Each week it seemed like the Benji fanclub grew and grew to the point where they were chanting your name–how important was the fan reaction and how did it affect your performance?
Benji: What was awesome about the fans that night was there’s a big group of people. It got to a point where they respected the top four so much that everybody was cheering for everybody but when they announced my name, I saw family members of every contestant stand up. They all knew what we had been through. And the fans of Benji, the Shwingers, as they called them[selves], were so cool–they supported me from the beginning. Their fingers were bleeding from voting so many times. It was awesome.
You were hospitalized in the week prior to the Final Four Competition but it was never addressed on the show. Were there moments when you feared this would affect your chances of moving on?
Benji: There was always an injury. It was almost every week where I collected a new one or even two. And it was almost like I was being prevented from doing more and more maneuvers. But I guess it’s part of the process and part of the show– is to use all that you possibly can and I know that whether I’d won it or not, I’d know I would’ve been able to finish the show and say, I’d done everything I possibly can to win this thing.
What can you tell us about your role in Celine Dion’s Vegas Extravaganza "A New Day"?
Benji: Basically I’d be a dancer, I’d probably have a special number with Celine; and we’re possibly going to do a duet between Celine and I. I can’t wait–it’s going to so cool.
Which scares you more? Mary Murphy’s scream or Dmitry’s chest?
Benji: Gosh, you know it’s funny–both of those things are legends in themselves. I think the scariest thing is when Nigel and Cat pretend I’m about to kicked off the show and I don’t. I think I’ve had about two or three ulcers.
Duckyxdale
For even more on this interview check out Duckyxdale’s blog. BTW I so did not we are called Schwingers, I so like love that!
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