Like her or not, every So You Think You Can Dance fan will remember Lacey Schwimmer. Some say she had a built in fan base thanks to her brother, season two winner Benji. Lacey feels it may have worked against her. A talented ballroom dancer, she excelled in many different styles throughout the season. She was paired with Kameron Bink early on and their chemistry got them far in the competition. He went before her and she went on to be part of the final four dancers. Lacey ended up finishing fourth but gave us many memorable pieces along the way. She took a break from rehearsing for the upcoming So You Think You Can Dance nationwide tour to talk to BuddyTV.
Below, you will find the complete transcript and mp3 of the interview
Hey everybody, this is Gina from Buddy TV, and I’m talking to one of the final four dancers from So You Think You Can Dance, Lacey Schwimmer. Lacey, how are you doing?
I’m doing good.
Let’s talk a little bit about last year when Benji was on the show Did you go to many of the tapings and watch the show?
I didn’t miss one show, I actually was there in the audience every single taping. So that’s two tapings a week, and there’s so many hours that you just stand and you do nothing. Yeah, it was the most amazing time though, I loved it.
And as you go from sitting in the audience to being in the show, were you prepared for how grueling the pace can be? Because I know it’s a tough schedule for you guys.
You know, what’s funny is I was sitting while I watched the show, and I was like, “Oh, this is no problem, this is a piece of cake.” And then I actually made the show, and it’s the complete opposite. It’s so hard to dance like 18 hours a day, and have an hour break for lunch, and never sleep and all that. But you know what? It wasn’t what I thought it would be, but it’s so much more. I was so excited just to be able to do it.
I know. During the run of the show, some of the girls like Faina and Jessi ended up getting sick. How did you maintain your health and take care of yourself during the show?
It’s really funny, I’m actually waiting to get sick, because we’re putting our bodies through so much. I mean, I didn’t really do much. I took vitamins and I made sure I slept and I stretched as much as possible. But there’s not much you can do, just cross your fingers, I guess.
On the show, you were first paired up with Kameron, you guys had such great chemistry together. When he was eliminated, were you worried about who you would be partnered up with next?
I was actually more excited. Just because you’re with this person for weeks on end, it’s like your right hand man. So yeah, I was really sad losing him, but at the same time you’re really excited because each person has a different energy about them. And it’s just so much fun, because it’s like, “Oh, who am I gonna get this week?” So it was fun, I was more excited than scared.
Was there a moment in the season that ended up being a real highlight for you?
Ooh, that’s a tough one. Let me ask, what’s your favorite one?
Well, I really liked your flower piece, and I think most people really did. I’m wondering how that sat with you, and what that meant to you? I mean, I know I would think for most people, that’s one of your standout moments from the season.
I think that week, it was just… You know, that piece was just so beautiful, and I think anybody who would have gotten that piece would’ve been so lucky to have it. I’m just so relieved that it was a different feeling, like walking into the room and seeing Mia just crying all the time, it was really humbling.
And I felt how it really has to be one of my favorite moments on the show as well, it was just beautiful, like the whole experience of it. It was only a minute-and-a-half routine, but that minute-and-a-half is just amazing. So yeah, that would have to be one of my highlights as well.
When it got down to the final four, you seemed like you knew you were gonna go before they announced the winner. What was it that made you think maybe it was gonna be your time to go?
I kind of knew going into this, like kind of had a lot going against me. You know it’s not so easy for (garbled) the odds are against me, basically. I knew that I never once thought this show would mean winning it, I didn’t want to put that in my head. I didn’t want to feel bad, so when they announced it I was like, “Oh.” It kind of just clicked what they knew.
Some people felt like maybe you had a built-in fan base because you were Benji’s sister. Do you feel that way, or did you really feel like maybe it would work against you?
I think it’s both, actually. I mean a lot of people, yeah, they did carry over because of my brother. It’s gonna happen. But I know a lot of people who are my fans that did not like my brother, I think I have a little bit of both. And then there are people who were my brother’s fans who did not like me.
And a lot of people were angry that I was on the show just because my brother was on it. But you also have to look at the fact that Faina is Stanislav’s sister, Danny is Travis’ brother. So it’s like if my brother hadn’t won, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But you know, people have their opinions, and you can’t do anything about that.
And what’s life like, been for Benji since he won? I mean obviously, both of you must be recognized when you’re out.
Yeah. First it was a little weird to walk around downtown, and people were like, “Oh my gosh!” I never really thought that would happen to me, I was always the one taking pictures of them and people.
But now when we go out, people recognize us together, and it’s just a really weird feeling. We never once in our lives thought that would ever happen, so you know what? It’s really cool though, I like meeting people who watch me, I really enjoy that.
You had a little bit of time off after the show. What did you do in between the ending of the show and starting rehearsals?
The day after the show, we had a photo shoot for 12 hours.
So it really didn’t end right away.
Yeah, it really did not end ever. But it comes with the show, and you’re used to working, so it’s fine. After that my mom just had surgery on her foot, so I went to Phoenix and took care of her for a few days, and I got really sunburned. So it wasn’t all too well, but you know, I’m back .
Is there anything on the tour that we can really look forward to that features you? I mean, will popular routines from the season be on the tour as well?
I think a lot of the at home favorites are gonna be on the tour this year. A lot of people are gonna be excited, because a lot of the routines we have even forgot about. So I guess we did something like 119 routines, or something like that. It’s in the 100s, yeah.
So to think about that, we don’t understand that we did that many dances. But a lot of the dancers that were my favorite, that I danced with personally, are almost all in it. So I’m really excited for everyone to watch this, it’s gonna be so much fun.
Well, I look forward to seeing you on the tour. I just wanted to thank you for your time.
– Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of FOX)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
