By Laila Hussain 

As the new season of SYTYCD rolls around and another top twenty battle it out to become “America’s Favorite Dancer,” you may wonder what has become of the three previous winners: Nick Lazzarini, Benji Schwimmer, and Sabra Johnson.

Trained in jazz, lyrical, hip hop, ballet, and modern, Nick Lazzarini was the perfect candidate for the first season of SYTYCD. Handsome and talented, he won America over with his strength, confidence, and exciting, yet graceful tricks. Since winning the show in 2005, Lazzarini has been working out of Los Angeles with his best friend and first runner-up of SYTYCD Season 1, Melody Lacayanga. He has appeared twice on the cover of Dance Spirit Magazine, participated as one of the founders of the Evolution Dance Company, and is currently on the faculty of iHollywood Dance along with several other SYTYCD alumni.

Season 2 winner Benji Schwimmer has been working nonstop since winning SYTYCD. Unlike Nick Lazzarini, Benji’s training and expertise was concentrated in one area, West Coast Swing. Ultimately, it was his high energy, enthusiasm, and big personality that made his performances memorable and won him the title of “America’s Favorite Dancer.” These talents have carried him to many exciting new opportunities. He has performed in a North American tour with the other top ten finalists of the show in 2006, was interviewed by Entertainment Weekly, made an appearance on the Regis and Kelly Show, and was considered to play the role of Fred Astaire in a feature film. Most notably he played the role of the “Candy Man” in Christina Aguilera’s music video of the same name, and also worked with her as a choreographer.

Benji currently fills his time with teaching, competing, and hosting events. He is also a faculty member of iHollywood Dance, which hosts a weeklong summer workshop where dancers are able to work with diverse and experienced choreographers, shoot an on-location music video, and perform in the closing show. As did Nick Lazzarini, Benji made several appearances on the next season of SYTYCD, both as a guest performer and choreographer.

Sabra Johnson became the first female to win SYTYCD in its third season. This was no surprise, as her bright spirit, hard work, and intense style kept her in the finals as she competed against some of the very best in the industry. She has since appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show and was on the February cover of mvmnt magazine, co-founded by the first runner-up of the same season, Danny Tidwell. Sabra is now living in New York, where she trains and takes part in many different workshops. After touring with the top ten, she began touring with the New York City Dance Alliance (NYCDA) and is still doing so. This has given her the opportunity to travel around the U.S. and internationally.

---

Some of the popular runners-up, such as Neil Haskell, Danny Tidwell, and Travis Wall, have also been working consistently after their time on the show. Neil Haskell is currently playing “Luke” in a production of “Altar Boyz” at the New World Stages and has a role in an MTV film, “The American Mall,” premiering in August 2008. Travis Wall has performed on SYTYCD and served as a guest choreographer. He has also performed on Dancing with the Stars and American Idol Gives Back. Like Sabra, he has toured with the NYCDA. Danny Tidwell has co-founded mvmnt magazine, performed on American Idol Gives Back, and served as a guest teacher on the 2007-2008 “JUMP: The Alternative Convention” tour.