| Benji Schwimmer | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Benjiman Daniel Schwimmer January 18, 1984 |
| Other name(s) | Benji, |
| Occupation | Choreographer, Dancer, Actor, Creative Director, Writer, Philanthropist |
| Spouse(s) | None |
Benjiman "Benji" Daniel Schwimmer (born January 18, 1984)[1] is an American professional dancer, choreographer and actor. On August 16, 2006 he was crowned "America's Favorite Dancer", as the winner of the second season of So You Think You Can Dance and now choreographs for both the U.S. and international versions of the show. Benji currently artistically directs for Paula Abdul and is releasing three films in 2010. Two of which he co-stars and choreographs, one which he wrote and produced.
Benji travels the world teaching, choreographing and performing in various styles of dance and is known for his versatility in mixing the arts of solo dance and partnering. When not working on set of films and television, he works for the non-profit group "D.E.M.A.N.D." and is currently working on a pop-rock-electronic album yet to be titled.
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Schwimmer was born January 18, 1984 in Newport Beach, California, and grew up in a The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) household in Moreno Valley, California. He is the son of "King of Swing" Buddy Schwimmer, who is famed in the West Coast Swing and Nightclub Two Step world.[2] His mother, Laurie Kauffman, and sister, Lacey Schwimmer, are also West Coast Swing dancers.
He started competing when he was 5 years old. He attended high school in Moreno Valley 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]
Benji Schwimmer and his older cousin, Heidi Groskreutz (herself a top-4 finalist on the same season of So You Think You Can Dance), are also U.S. Open Showcase Swing champions in West Coast Swing style. Schwimmer left the dancing scene at the top of his game to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. He has subsequently founded the non-profit charity organization "Dancers Everywhere Making a Needed Difference" (D.E.M.A.N.D.) for helping those that are less fortunate and providing healthcare for dancers with HIV/AIDS and other illness, and is a co-owner of 5678 Dance Studio in Redlands, California.
Benji currently works in the entertainment industry as a choreographer, actor, dancer and writer. He is the creative director for Paula Abdul and is currently producing and starring in the film " Debonair ", slated for release in late 2010. Benji also will be co-starring in the comedy " Leading Ladies " for a 2010 release.
After returning to the United States from Mexico, Schwimmer learned that his promised sweetheart had broken up with him (he stated on the show that he learned this by seeing her wedding invitation, and noting that his name wasn't on it). To combat the resulting depression, Schwimmer returned to dancing. He was shown a video of the performance of the 2005 winner of So You Think You Can Dance, Nick Lazzarini, and decided that he would himself audition for the 2006 season of the show, along with his cousin and childhood dance partner Heidi Groskreutz, and her former dance partner, Dmitry Chaplin. All three of them made it to the top 20 finalists and then to the top 10. Schwimmer and his first assigned dance partner, Donyelle Jones, successfully competed through the entire first part of the season without either of them being in the bottom three couples, with both making it to the top 4. Throughout the duration of the show, Benji was widely popular for his trademark "booty".
Schwimmer was named the overall winner on August 16, 2006 in an emotional finale. This was a different kind of title from his earlier swing dance awards, as the televised competition required versatility in several different dance styles, and the final voting was done not by a panel of judges, but by American phone-in voters. According to the show, the finale brought in 16 million votes, with a total of 70 million over the course of the season. During the course of the show, the judges routinely said that while Schwimmer was not necessarily the best technical dancer in styles other than his own, that he was clearly outstanding in terms of performance and entertainment and had an amazing personality.
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. However, in an interview for Seattle Times, Schwimmer indicated that he had turned down the Dion contract, saying that though it was an honor, it wasn't really his desire to stay in Vegas for a year. His focus was more based on television and travel. Schwimmer and the rest of the top-10 finalists performed in a North American tour starting in September 2006 (see So You Think You Can Dance (Season 2) for details). Most of the dates sold out within hours (Seattle sold out within 30 minutes, and New York within 11 minutes[4]).
The following year, Benji was invited to perform on the opening live episode of season 3 and to become the first "So You Think" alumnus to choreograph on the show. Choreographing a high-octane west coast swing number to "The Rockafeller Skank" left both the audience and the judges on their feet. Executive Producer and head judge, Nigel Lythgoe said the piece finally brought the magic lacking from the new season. The west coast swing piece became a crowd favorite on the national tour in 2007.
In August, in an interview for Entertainment Weekly, Schwimmer revealed that he may be being cast as Fred Astaire in an upcoming motion picture.[5]. However, during an interview with Regis Philbin, Schwimmer backpedaled a bit and referred to the part as a possibility. In Schwimmer's mySpace blog, it stated that the Astaire movie fell through and will not happen after all.
According to a September 2006 Redlands article, Schwimmer was asked by Regis Philbin to be an alternate host on his program[6]
According to the Seattle Times, Schwimmer is writing and co-producing a movie about dancing, in which both he and his cousin Heidi Groskreutz will appear. He is also working on a TV show on the lives of dancers. He has signed on to do a movie called Love N' Dancing.[3]
He and Groskreutz danced on Fox's New Year's Eve show and talked about their instructional dance DVD.
Schwimmer began the year selling His & Heidi's West Coast Swing DVDs and filming Christina Aguilera's music video "Candyman" with his sister, Lacey. Benji played the role of the "Candyman" and was seen dancing with Christina. Schwimmer later admitted that she was a bit of a diva, but basically nice. He also said that he always had a massive crush on Britney Spears, Aguilera's pop rival, and his dream was to appear in a Spears video as her love interest.
Benji was extremely busy in 2007 teaching, performing, competing and hosting events, and traveling. He went to locations all over the world including Oslo, Norway, Singapore, Toronto, Ottawa, and China. On some rare occasions, he went to events with other members of his family including Heidi, Lacey, and Buddy. He taught at many conventions from coast to coast that featured a number of different dance styles, including West Coast Swing. He also taught at a multitude of dance studios across the nation. He performed in other dance styles like SWAZZ (swing/jazz).
Some of the events Benji performed at included The Dance Floor TV show in Singapore, Mary Murphy's Champion Ballroom Academy's 17th Anniversary Party, Presentation of CTV Network lineup, iHollywood Dance, Coastal Dance Rage Workshop, FOX Reality Channel Really Awards 2007, The Laguna Dance Festival Gala, CanDance Conventions, and the Career Transition For Dancers Gala.
When SYTYCD Season 3 auditions began, Benji partnered Lacey as she auditioned in Los Angeles. When she was picked as one of the top 10 girls, Benji & his parents made it a point to attend almost every show. Benji danced on the 1st results show and at the end dropped his pants revealing American flag briefs. On July 8, Benji choreographed a West Coast Swing number for Pasha & Sara. It was a huge hit with the audience and featured many of Benji/Heidi's signature tricks. Benji was also tapped to be a correspondent reporter for the show Reality Remix on the FOX Reality Network.
By late summer, Benji & Heidi as well as some of the biggest names in West Coast Swing were in Albuquerque, NM filming Love N' Dancing.
Benji appeared on week 4 of So You Think You Can Dance (Season 4) with his sister Lacey as a choreographer for a West Coast Swing number to "Shake It" by Brother Yusef.
He has also choreographed routines for Season One of So You Think You Can Dance Canada.
He appeared on a Dancing with the Stars results show with his sister Lacey.
He recently filmed the documentary " MOVE " as a featured star which is slated for an early 2009 release.
Benji reclaimed his titles as both US and World Swing Champion with new partner, Kellese Key after being semi retired from competitive dancing.
Benji, along with Alan Seawright, is in works to write and produce an upcoming dance film set to be released in December 2010.
Benji continues to pursue dance through competitions, teaching at various conventions and schools around the world.
He finished a week long run as a guest performer and choreographer for "Evolutions of Dance 2009" in Provo, Utah.
Benji, along with his partner, Torri Smith performed as featured dancers on season 8 of " Dancing With The Stars " to the music of Demi Lovato's " La La Land ".
Benji appeared in the indie film " Love N' Dancing ", starring Amy Smart.
He was the cover story in a 10 page spread in "Dancer Magazine", January 9 issue which featured his own photography(CLK'd by BNJI)[7]
Benji wrapped filming the comedy " Leading Ladies " as a co-star. The film is due out in theaters next year. .[8]
Recently was hired on as Paula Abdul's creative director and choreographer for her final performance on American Idol and her opening show for VH1's Divas:Live '09. He danced along side her as well in both performances.
Benji choreographed for So You Think You Can Dance: Canada, and was honored as being a creative force of originality for fusing together various genres of dance.
Benji is currently working on an as yet to be titled album.
He wrote a screenplay titled " Debonair ", slated to begin filming in Chicago early 2010, in which he will co-star and choreograph.
Benji has been cast in the indie comedy, " On Hold " slated for filming in spring 2010.
| Preceded by Nick Lazzarini |
Winner of So You Think You Can
Dance 2006 |
Succeeded by Sabra Johnson |
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   | Benji Schwimmer - USA Swing Net |
| | US Open awards - Raper's Dance Corner |
| | US Open awards - U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships |
| | 2002 list of US Open Swing Dance winners - 2002 Results U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships |
| | US Open Swing Dance, 2005 division winners - 2005 U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships Winners |
| | Fan Site: BenjiSchwimmer.com - banned interdit verboden prohibido vietato proibido |
| | Interview: Benji's Spiritual Side - Mormon Mom-Cast: Special Edition: Benji Schwimmer |
| | "Benji Shows Why He's Your 'Favorite Dancer'" - Entertainment News, TV News, Celebrity and Breaking News | TVGuide.com |
| | Video - Benji Schwimmer and Heidi Groskreutz (From So You Think You Can Dance) Dancing at Showcase Division 2005 US Open Swing Dance Championships | Pure So You Think You Can Dance |
| | Video interview and dance clips - 'Dance' Fever | Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos & Videos |
| | "5-6-7-8 reopens, Benji considers offers" - 5-6-7-8 reopens, Benji considers offers - Redlands Daily Facts |
| | "So You Think You Can Dance" Swings into Seattle - The Seattle Times: Arts & Entertainment: "So You Think You Can Dance" swings into Seattle |
| | Benji Schwimmer's Myspace page - Benji Schwimmer (benji schwimmer) | MySpace.com |
| | Video - Benji Schwimmer & Heidi Groskreutz 2001 Showcase | Pure So You Think You Can Dance |
| | instructional dance DVD - BENJI & HEIDI |
| | 2002 USA Swing Net "Person of the Year" - USA Swing Net |
| | Video of Benji thanking the Sister Circle for Relentless fanzine - YouTube - Benji's Message for the Sister Circle |
| | Love N' Dancing. - Love 'N Dancing - Starring Amy Smart, Tom Malloy, and Billy Zane |
| | 5678 Dance Studios - Home -- 5678 Dance Studios -- Redlands, CA |
| | Tremaine Dance Convention - Tremaine Dance Conventions & Competitions - News - BENJI TEACHING in ATLANTA! |
| | It's All About The Benjiman - It's All About the Benjiman - Login |
| | Benji Schwimmer Tribute Videos - Two More Benji Tribute Videos | Pure So You Think You Can Dance |
| | Video of Benji on Regis and Kelly - Benji Schwimmer on Regis and Kelly | Pure So You Think You Can Dance |
| | TRANJI Video - Benji and Travis Doing Tranji | Pure So You Think You Can Dance |
| | Picture of Benji and Heidi as children - Seriously? OMG! WTF? » SYTYCD’s Benji and Heidi as kids |
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