So You Think You Can Dance: Words With America’s Favorite Dancer, Lauren Froderman!

I felt privileged to interview Lauren Froderman after her win on Thursday night’s So You Think You Can Dance. I’ve been a fan for several weeks running. She gave a fabulous interview, apparently just as charming, carefree, and humble as she presented herself on television. As far as I’m concerned, the world is pretty much her oyster right now.

Whatever that means. I’ve never really understood that expression.

She began by answering a question about how the all-stars contributed or took away from her experience on the show. Lauren answered, as all the contestants have, that the all-stars were invaluable. They “pushed us to work harder and brought the experience of knowing how the show works.” Also, the all-stars helped her figure out how to overcome her competition dancer cred and move forward into more intimate kinds of dance. “I tried to absorb everything about the character and the piece, make a connection with my partner. I realized it’s about making the audience want to come in instead of pulling them in. The all-stars were a huge help with that.”

She mentioned Pasha in particular, thanking him for helping her work through her nerves on ballroom and showing her how to let go within a piece.

On being the only girl for so long? “I was nervous, it looked like a boy season. I still can’t believe I actually won. I wanted to represent the girls well.”

On Robert (who she’s known through dance competitions for several years): “We met at competitions when we were younger and became instant friends. We hadn’t seen each other in a while and were so excited to meet again in Vegas. He’s one of my favorite people of all time and I know he’s going to be successful in whatever he does.”

On Kent: “The prom routine was so special to me. It’s the only Contemporary I got to do before the finale and Kent and I had such a good connection from the start. I felt like I was all ready in love with the kid the first day I met him in Vegas. It felt like just the two of us up there with no audience.”

On Cat Deeley’s role on the show and relationship with the dancers: “She’s so funny and so sweet – and really jokes around a lot. We got the day off on the 4^th of July and she had us all over to her house for a pool party. She just has a great energy.”

What female was she closest to? “Ashely, for sure. I loved them all but Ashley was my roommate – we’re both crazy and we had tons of fun together.”

Did the final 3 talk about how they felt about the finale? “Kent, Robert and I are very close; there is a tight bond between all of us. We were all so proud of each other and we didn’t care who won. We just wanted to enjoy the last week dancing together.”

Lauren’s first thoughts after winning, and what she wanted to say? “I was shocked. I really, really thought it would be Kent because of his fanbase. They’re always screaming for him, he gets tons of fanmail. I’m grateful and humbled and I never believed it would be me.”

“I never thought I could win, but the winning seemed secondary. I wanted to stay and learn and grow – stay with my friends, my new family, as long as possible.”

“The fact that so many people believed in me, supported me…people are happy for me that don’t even know me. Nothing will ever replace the feeling of happiness I had last night.”

Her biggest struggle? “Letting go of the fact it’s a competition. Success is treating it as a chance to grow and learn. Don’t worry too much about what the judges say or you won’t get everything you can out of every performance.”

Lauren’s plans for the future? Well, short term: “The tour. I can’t wait. It’s going to be the best time of our lives. We can’t wait to hang out, dance together, see the country. It’s already decided that Kent and I are exploring buddies.”

Long term: “I’d like to go into acting, get an acting coach. I’ve been singing for the past two years and I want to keep up with that – basically just be as versatile as possible so I can get work. Really want to work in television and film.”

There’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll see Lauren Froderman again. Until then, catch her, Kent Boyd, and several of your other favorites on tour this fall.

Want more So You Think You Can Dance?  Read reviews of the finale here and here.  Poptimal’s own Hollie Overton was backstage at the finale; read about it here. Read recaps/reviews of the entire season here. 

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