So You Think You Can Dance: Real People, Real Passion, A Surreal Experience

November 6, 2009: The top 10 dancers from the 2009 season of the nationwide hit "So You Think You Can Dance" came through the World Arena In Colorado Springs, Colorado yesterday. World Arena Offered an on-line competition to one lucky fan to be there guest reporter for the day and interview the dancers prior to the show. The winner would also receive two tickets to the show and a media photo pass to take pictures on the floor from the front row. Garrett Spradlin of Castle Rock won with his inspirational essay saying "Life is just a dance... mine is just beginning but I'm ready for this opportunity to add a great move to my life routine." We sat Garrett down with the dancers one on one and they acted as if they had all known each other for years. The conversation and interaction came natural, here is his story of the interview:

From start to finish the dancers that I watch religiously every week were so grateful for the experience they have been given. I introduced my self to them and sat down in the chair across from the couch that they all piled on. As I began to ask my questions Kupono and Randi got up grabbed my chair and pulled it forward and said "you can be closer." I knew at that point I was welcome, and although no longer nervous I was excited beyond belief. The very people that I voted for and admired were sitting right in front of me. Our conversation came natural and the interaction between all of them was amazing. Each one of them had a story to tell, and it was then that I realized that they are were real people just doing what they loved to do.

Home town girl Kayla was definitely happy to be back in familiar territory. I asked her how it felt to be back in Colorado, she smiled from ear to ear with a short reply that said it all, "amazing!" It was then that the others chimed in to agree that Colorado was amazing and felt "so clean." They all began to tell there hometown show experiences and it was really cool to know that when your hometown to preform that the excitement was much more intense then any other show you perform.

To the thousands of people attending the show later that night these performers are celebrities and for me I wanted to know how that felt. Many of them don't look at themselves with a celebrity status. Janette said, "yes we are TV stars on a show, but it's surreal to see so may fans yelling your name... but it does feel really good." I couldn't believe that they didn't think of themselves as celebrities but I made sure to reassure them that in my eyes they were. (hehe) Each of them took the chance to reach for the stars, and they succeeded. Kupono said, "we were just anyone else standing in line." Our whole lives we are told to never give up, dream big and now this amazing group are those that my generation and so many others look up to. They were genuine, thankful, and passionate people and dancers. Had they not had a TV show open the door to their future things would have been different. Some of them said they would still be working at the bank, the wine bar, and even American Apparel.

The show is obviously a hit but yet there is a side we all don't know, and I didn't realize how planned out there day to day life was. "We had curfews" said Randi. Each and every day of our lives was planned from eating at this time, to rehearsing, to when to be here and there, the group said. Caitlin said, "I got home once the season was over and didn't know what to do." We then discussed how it was to be away from home and they expressed they really didn't ever have time to call home ever and yet their families lives continued. They were able to share stories that when they did get to go home after the season ended. Caitlin said she pulled into town and looked up at a billboard that said, "vote Caitlin" that her mom had purchased. Kupono said his dad took a wooden plank and would spray paint an X over the number he was and circle the next number that he became each week. We all had to laugh because he said he told his dad, "Really?! a plank of wood... spray paint?"

I had the opportunity of a lifetime, the experience was surreal. I gained more respect for these individuals than I ever thought possible, and It was an experience I would never forget. As they began to leave they each hugged me and I squealed like a little girl. I love them all. I encourage you to reach for your dreams and in the dancers own words "appreciate everything... you are not aware of what all you can do... and even in a television show your making memories!"

photos taken by Garrett Spradlin at the show: media release