Behind the Scenes at the So You Think You Can Dance Finale

Poptimal was on the red carpet at last night’s So You Think You Can Dance finale where Lauren Froderman upset the season’s front runner Kent Boyd and was crowned America’s Favorite Dancer. All season, Kent was the one to beat but on Thursday night, Lauren took home the title. It was a night of amazing performances, from the knockout opening number choreographed by Christopher Scott with an appearance by fan favorite, the still recovering  Alex Wong along with a recap of some of the season’s best routines. The announcement of the winner was preceded by an homage to Alex’s lauded NappyTabs hip hop routine by a brave, funny, and surprisingly not-terrible Ellen DeGeneres and the always amazing Twitch.

But in the end, this night was all about Lauren. She had a spectacular season and continually impressed the judges. On the red carpet, Napoleon and Tabitha (NappyTabs) praised her consistency.

“The way she handled herself week after week was great. She’s an amazing dancer and she’s going to have an amazing future,“ Napoleon said. They both emphasized how talented all the dancers were having little to no time, less than a day or two to learn each routine.

Mary Murphy, who made an appearance as a special guest judge this season said she’s kept busy running her dance studio but is still strongly identified for her role on the show.

“I’ll be having a serious moment in public and people will come up and ask me about the hot tamale train. I don’t want to hurt their feelings and say, I need a private moment.”

Still it’s something she’s proud of.  She says the show continues to build dance and encourage dancers all over the world.

“Wherever I go, even overseas, kids, everyone wants to do this show.”

Mary said she loves how it even brings couples together.

“I don’t how many people have told me their husbands didn’t even want to watch the show and after a year now they’re saying ‘oh look they didn’t point their feet.’

Mary was equally impressed with the Season 7 winner.

“Lauren had amazing lines. I mean, that girl could do anything. When she did that Argentinean tango, she was just perfect.”

Adam Shankman told Lauren the words every dancer wants to hear said again he’d love to hire her.

“She’s going on tour but I’d hire her tomorrow.”

Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe along with all of the judges said the talent this year was outstanding. He praised Robert and runner up Kent and said he thought after Wednesday’s performance any one of them would have been a great choice. But he said Lauren had been a standout from the beginning.

“Lauren was always the strongest girl. It’s funny, I went to both Kent and Lauren’s homes to tell them they’d made the show and they ended up being the finalists.”

He too noticed Lauren after her early knockout ballroom number with all-star Pasha.

“It was really the Argentinean Tango. When I saw that, I thought, this is someone who stood a chance. “

Who did Nigel think was the most inspirational dancer of the evening? His answer might surprise you.

“Ellen DeGeneres. I know you think it’s funny but here is someone who’s had no dance training, never had a lesson and the public knows she’s not a dancer but she just did brilliantly.”

Runner-up Kent Boyd was obviously disappointed at the loss but said the experience was one he’ll never forget. He’s excited to go on tour and is looking forward to not competing, simply dancing. He said the fact that he got to make so many amazing friends and work with all the talented choreographers will be something he’s not soon to forget.

Kent’s parents Jon and Lori Boyd said they were of course disappointed that their son didn’t take home the title but were still proud of all he had accomplished.

“We are very proud. It surprised us how far he came and how fast it happened. The day after he graduated, he was on a plane coming to LA,” Jon said.

Both his parents see the bright side a show like this has given their son.

“He is the top male dancer in America. He’s got all the doors open and it’s whatever he wants to do. He’s got the exposure he needed to get. As a parent, you couldn’t be happier to see your kid succeed.”

What did the winner Lauren have to say for the experience?

“It’s just so weird. I’m America’s Favorite Dancer. I was expecting to hear Kent’s name. I did not think I was going to win. I just feel so so blessed and honored. I want to thank my fans. They’re the best.”

As for what she plans to do with that $250,000 prize money. She may be an artist but she’s got a practical side as well.

“I’m going to save the money. I can’t be trusted. I’m definitely going to put that away and save it for when I’m smarter and better with handling money. If I do spend any of it, it’ll be for my parents for whatever they want because they’ve been so supportive and they’ve made me the dancer I am today. They’ve always believed in me.”

Nigel mentioned that many had said girls couldn’t get the same amount of votes, pointing towards Kent’s large female fan base throughout the season but said that if a girl was good enough and Lauren was, then they’d get the votes. Lauren couldn’t have been happier to win over all of America but especially young girls. 

“I’ve gotten a lot of support that they (girls) look up to me and that is incredible to hear. I want to inspire and encourage.

The highlight for her though was Mia’s high praise.

“When Mia told me that if she was still dancing she’d want to dance like me, that was amazing because I so look up to her.”

The dancers get the rest of the week off before they jump right back into work to prepare for the upcoming fall tour. Lauren’s focused on that but has big plans for her future.

“I actually want to start looking into acting because it’s really important for dancers to be diverse and be able to do whatever’s thrown at you and dancers should be able to do that so that’s what I’m working on.”

Season 7 has come to an end but fans can check out the all-stars and this season’s top 11 as well as Season 6 winner Russell when they hit the road and bring your favorite dancers to a city near you.

Want more So You Think You Can Dance?  Read reviews of the finale here and here.  Poptimal’s own Trish Leigh interviewed Lauren Froderman; read about it here. Read recaps/reviews of the entire season here. 

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Image courtesy of Fox and IMDbPro.