Benji Schwimmer

Benjamin "Benji" Daniel Schwimmer (born January 18, 1984)^[1] is an American professional dancer, choreographer and actor. On August 16, 2006 he was announced as the winner of the second season of So You Think You Can Dance and has choreographed for both the U.S. and the international versions of the show. He co-starred in the 2010 film Leading Ladies.

Schwimmer is known for his versatility in mixing the arts of solo dance and partnering. He works for the non-profit group, Dancers Everywhere Making a Needed Difference (D.E.M.A.N.D),^{[citation needed]} and is the songwriter, producer, and vocalist for pop-rock band The Weekend Forecast, who are signed with Executive Music Group.^{[citation needed]}

Biography

Schwimmer was born on January 18, 1984 in Newport Beach, California, and grew up in a Latter-day Saint (Mormon) household in Moreno Valley, California. He is the son of choreographer and West Coast Swing dancer Buddy Schwimmer.^[2] His mother, Laurie Schwimmer, and sister, Lacey Schwimmer, are also west-coast swing dancers.^{[citation needed]}

He started competing when he was five years old. Some of his early experiences included singing and dancing in "Sunshine Magic", a children's troupe.^{[citation needed]} He attended high school in both Moreno Valley (Valley View) and Redlands but then transferred to independent study because of his pursuit of dance. He finished his studies early, and then taught dance for one semester at Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa.^[3]

Schwimmer and his cousin, Heidi Groskreutz, (the fourth finalist on the same season of So You Think You Can Dance), are also U.S. Open Showcase Swing champions in west-coast style.^{[citation needed]} Schwimmer put dancing on hold to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.^{[citation needed]} He returned afterwards to the dance circuit. He founded D.E.M.A.N.D., a non-profit organization that helps the less fortunate and provides health care for dancers with HIV/AIDS and other illness, and is a co-owner of 5678 Dance Studio in Redlands.^{[citation needed]}

Schwimmer is also openly gay. He left the LDS church in 2011 due in part to the church's position on not allowing homosexuals to work with youth. He came out publicly in 2012 after struggling with his homosexuality for a number of years. The catalyst for his decision was the death by suicide of three gay friends.^[4][5][6]

So You Think You Can Dance 2006

After returning to the United States from Mexico, Schwimmer learned that his girlfriend had broken up with him. He stated on the show that he had learned about this when he saw that his name was not on her wedding invitation,^{[citation needed]} and he promptly returned to dancing. He was shown a video of the performance of Nick Lazzarini, the 2005 winner of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD), and decided that he would audition for the 2006 season of the show, eventually placing among top 10 finalists. Schwimmer and his first dance partner, Donyelle Jones, successfully competed through the entire first part of the season without ever being in the bottom three. Both made it to the top four. Schwimmer was named the winner on August 16, 2006.^{[citation needed]} The prizes for winning the competition included a car, a one-year contract to perform in Celine Dion's Las Vegas show, and $100,000 USD.^{[citation needed]} However, in an interview for Seattle Times, Schwimmer stated that he had turned down the Dion contract.^{[citation needed]}

The following year, Schwimmer was invited to perform on the opening of season three and to become the first SYTYCD alumnus to choreograph on the show. His west-coast swing choreography of a high-octane number, "The Rockafeller Skank," brought both the audience and the judges to their feet. Executive producer and head judge, Nigel Lythgoe, said that the piece finally invoked the magic that was lacking in the new season.^{[citation needed]} The swing piece became a crowd favorite on the national tour in 2007.^{[citation needed]}

After SYTYCD

In 2006, Schwimmer danced on Fox's New Year's Eve show and talked about their instructional dance DVD.^{[citation needed]} The next year, he played the role of the "Candyman" in Christina Aguilera's music video of the same name.^{[citation needed]}

When SYTYCD season three auditions began, Schwimmer partnered with his sister Lacey during her audition in Los Angeles. He also danced on the first results show; at the end, he dropped his pants to reveal American-flag briefs.^{[citation needed]} Benji was also tapped to be a correspondent reporter for the show Reality Remix on the FOX Reality Network.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008, Schwimmer reclaimed his titles as both US and World Swing Champion with a new partner, Kellese Key, after being semi-retired from competitive dancing.^{[citation needed]} He was invited as a guest performer and choreographer for "Evolutions of Dance 2009" in Provo, Utah.^{[citation needed]} Schwimmer also appeared in the independent film, Love N' Dancing, starring Amy Smart.^{[citation needed]} He was the cover story in a 10-page spread in "Dancer Magazine", January 9 issue, which featured his own photography^{[7][citation needed]} Schwimmer also costarred in the comedy "Leading Ladies".^{[8][citation needed]}

Paula Abdul hired Schwimmer as her creative director and choreographer for her final performance on American Idol and for her opening show for VH1's Divas:Live '09. He also danced alongside her in both performances.

Working with his father, he choreographed ^[9] the short program of American figure skater Jeremy Abbott, which was first performed at the 2011 Cup of China.

Awards

• 1991 US Open, Young America Div. (ages 6–11), 1st Place, partner Heidi Groskreutz
• 1992 "Future Stars" Champion, Sabado Gigante (TV), partner Heidi Groskreutz
• 1993 "Future Stars" Champion, Sabado Gigante (TV), partner Heidi Groskreutz
• 1994 World Swing Dance Championships Youth Division, 1st Place partner Heidi Groskreutz
• 1995 World Swing Dance Championships Youth Division, 1st Place partner Heidi Groskreutz
• 1995 US Open Swing Dance Championships, Adult Team Division, 1st Place Jump Start
• 1995 Feather Award "Outstanding Dancer(youth)"
• 1995 World Swing Dance Championships, Adult Team Division, 1st place, Jump Start
• 1996 World Swing Dance Championships, Youth Division, 1st Place partner Heidi Groskreutz
• 1996 World Swing Dance Championships, Adult Team Division, 1st Place, Jump Start
• 1997 Skippy Blair "Footsteps Award"
• 1998 Sabado Gigante's "Best Dance Couple" (multiple winner), partner Heidi Groskreutz
• 1999 World Swing Dance Championships, Youth Division, 1st Place partner Heidi Groskreutz
• 1999 World Swing Dance Championships, Team Division, 1st Place, Jump Start
• 2001 World Swing Dance Championships, Youth Division, 1st Place partner Heidi Groskreutz
• 2001 US Open Swing Dance Championship, Showcase Division, 1st Place, partner Heidi Groskreutz ^[10]
• 2002 USA Swing Net "Person of the Year"
• 2002 US Open Swing Dance Championship, Showcase Division, 1st Place, partner Heidi Groskreutz^[11][12][13]
• 2005 US Open Swing Dance Championship, Showcase Division, 1st Place, partner Heidi Groskreutz ^[14]

• 2005 US Open Swing Dance Championships, Team Division, 1st Place Jump Start 2
• 2006 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, 1st Place, "America's Favorite Dancer", after a tally of 16 million votes for the Finale
• 2007 Desert City Swing Stricty Swing,1st Place,Partner Patty Vo
• 2007 - 1st Place: World Swing Dance Championships, Classic Division; Partner: Lacey Schwimmer
• 2008 LAPD Jack and Jill (improv) Championships, 1st Place, partner Deborah Szekely
• 2008 USA Grand Nationals Showcase Division,1st Place, partner Kellese Key
• 2008 USA Grand Nationals Cabaret Division,1st Place
• 2008 Desert City Swing Social Dancing Competition,4th Place,Partner Melina Ramirez
• 2008 Dallas D.A.N.C.E. Cabaret Division, 1st Place
• 2008 US Open Swing Dance Championship, Showcase Division, 1st Place, partner Kellese Key
• 2009 US Open Swing Dance Championship, Showcase Division, 1st Place, partner Kellese Key^[15]
• 2010 US Open Swing Dance Championship, Showcase Division, 1st Place, partner Torri Smith
• 2011 US Open Swing Dance Championship, Showcase Division, 1st Place, partner Torri Smith^[16]
• 2012 US Open Swing Dance Championship, Showcase Division, 1st Place, partner Torri Smith

References

• Benji Schwimmer photos and video clips Benji Schwimmer photos and video clips from SYTYCD TOUR
• Benji Schwimmer Biographical information and an interview with Benji by USA Swing Net.
• US Open awards
• Video interview and dance clips on Access Hollywood
• "Benji Shows Why He's Your 'Favorite Dancer'", TV Guide "Insider", August 21, 2006

External links

• Benji Schwimmer on Myspace
• Benji Schwimmer at the Internet Movie Database
• 5678 Dance Studios (Schwimmer family studio)
• The Benji & Heidi Zone (USA Swing Dance Network)
• Benji and Heidi DVDs - official website with instructional WCS videos taught by Benji Schwimmer and Heidi Groskreutz.