©Artwork provided by the Fox Television Network.
By Rebecca Birkin

“This will be going down as one of the great dance performances on television — ever.” This remarkable response is just one example of the positive critiques earned by LDS dancer Lacey Schwimmer as she competed on last summer’s Fox Network TV show, “So You Think You Can Dance.”

As the judges noted, Lacey’s performances were almost always flawless. Her practiced skill as a dancer, as well as her bright personality and performance expertise, kept her among the top dancers throughout the show. As a top ten finalist, Lacey, who just turned 19, earned her spot on the “So You Think You Can Dance” tour.

In addition, Lacey made it to the finale show, finishing this season as one of the top two female dancers. Last summer, brother Benji Schwimmer became the first LDS returned missionary to win the competition. After seeing Benji’s success, then coming so close to her own win, disappointment would have been a normal reaction for any dancer.

For Lacey, however, her gospel training helped her look at her experience as the success it truly is: “I feel so lucky and honored to have made it that far! So many other accomplished dancers deserved it, but being there made me feel alive! So I’m flying so high right now.”

Regarding the contest results, Lacey said, “I actually had a gut feeling that I wasn’t going to win. I mean, there were a lot of things going against me so I was just concentrating on making it a great experience.”

Lacey does an animated Lindy Hop with 20-year-old Neil Haskell, who — like Lacey — was one of the four finalists in the competition.

Interpreting Death

Lacey’s enthusiastic outlook is more than just a stage face. Lacey says, “Growing up I was always taught to be grateful for what I had. I thank the church for that! So I think if you keep a positive attitude even if things aren’t too bright, you will end up being happy.”

That kind of happiness shone on her face as she and Neil Haskell performed a modern dance by choreographer Mia Michaels. The dance itself was a first of its kind for “So You Think You Can Dance.” Mia Michaels choreographed an imagined reunion with her father, whom she lost to cancer. With a stage covered in flowers and Lacey and Neil dressed entirely in white, the reference to heaven was clear.

Lacey dramatized a reunion in heaven with Neil Haskell. It was the most talked about performance during this year’s season.

On “So You Think You Can Dance,” the dancers draw their dance styles randomly each week. So it seemed interesting coincidence for Lacey, with her strong belief in the afterlife, to represent Mia in the dramatized meeting in heaven.

Both the performance’s message and its execution touched the judges in an unprecedented manner. As mentioned above, Judge Adam Shankman’s praise was effusive. “I’m so in love with what you just did. You guys were not dancers; you were acting out an entire world.”

Judge Mary Murphy was too moved to speak. Nigel Lithgoe stepped in to add his acclaim: “It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen — ever.”

Lacey responded, “I’m blessed to have been in [this dance.]

Overall, a Blessing

For Lacey, the entire “So You Think You Can Dance” experience was likewise a blessing, despite the grueling demands and long hours. Lacey says, “I knew it would be hard work just from [trying out in the final audition in] Vegas,” but “I didn’t expect how nervous I [got] — almost to the point of passing out backstage.” Once onstage, however, viewers saw nothing except cheerful enthusiasm. Lacey says the show “was more fun than I thought it would be as well.”

Lacey performs a hip-hop routine with Pasha Kovalev, a Russian dancer who was one of the audience favorites.

The effervescence that shone during the Mia Michaels dance about heaven was a strong Lacey characteristic throughout the entire summer season. One thing she enjoyed about her experience was talking to other cast members and crew. They asked about her church membership.

“People had their questions about [our] morals — what we Mormons can and cannot do.” Lacey found out that the hairstylist for the show had been raised LDS, and was able to talk to him about their common experiences.

Despite her optimism, Lacey also found some challenges on “So You Think You Can Dance.” The show challenged some of their standards. “Religious or not, we all had issues with our standards. I know for me a lot of the outfits I wore were a little much.”

She emphasizes that they are not what she would wear in everyday life. “I buy clothes depending on how they look — not because they show more skin. I’ve never been a fan of a girl showing too much skin — it’s classless.”

Lacey is shown performing a jazz routine with Sabra Johnson, a 19-year-old dancer from Roy, Utah, who eventually won the competition.

The Competitive World

In addition, the show’s nature made avoiding competition difficult for some. When asked how growing up LDS had helped her become a successful dancer, Lacey responded, “I think that growing up LDS kept me level-headed about competition. The competition world is a nasty and mean thing.” She adds, “Never get competitive; it can hurt you in the end.”

Before the finale show and announcement of the winner, Lacey indicates that the competition led to some “jealousy and immature things.” Rather than dwelling on the behavior of others, though, Lacey jokes, “[B]ut high stress can cause that!”

During this tense time, Lacey’s brother Benji was a major source of support. As a respite from the long hours with very few breaks, even for food, Benji took her for frozen yogurt and, says Lacey, “calmed me down.” She adds, “My mom and dad and Hok were also always there for me through everything!”

Lacey had many other fans cheering her on as well. When asked about the girls in the audience holding “Teacher Lacey” signs, Lacey said, “Those are some five-year-olds I teach back home! They are quite possibly the cutest little girls I have ever met!” She wanted to tell them that she misses them: “Hi Alex and Miss Sarah!”

Here again, her cheerful attitude shines: “I was taught ballroom and swing in such a fun way — so I try to pass on to my students that they can learn and develop as a dancer while having fun. I teach ages 2 ½ years to you name it!”

Being a Light

Being a light in the world of dance is difficult; Lacey’s presence on “So You Think You Can Dance” reminds us that although no one is perfect, members of the Church have an opportunity to influence those around them. Lacey says she knows “there are a lot of pressures as teenagers. Just know who you are and what you believe in and you will always be okay!”

She, Benji, and her cousin, Heidi Groskreutz, another finalist from last summer’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” are doing more than okay. Lacey says Heidi, who was seen in the audience at this year’s show, “Just finished a movie with [Benji] dancing west coast swing,” and “[i]s trying things for Broadway.”

As for Benji, Lacey says, “We are partners together so we hope to travel and teach and do a bunch of things together — we are best friends, so the more time we have together the better!”

For the future, Lacey says, “I hope to move into other forms of entertainment — perhaps acting, photography, theater. I will always, of course, be a dancer! I hope I’m somewhere that makes me happy and lets me give to people what I was given throughout my life.”

Lacey has built her happiness on gospel standards. This foundation helps lift her above the competitive “success at any cost” spirit. Instead, Lacey’s desire to bring joy to others indicates that whatever her future holds, happiness and optimism will play a starring role.