Melanie Moore
After winning the most recent season of US reality TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” by a landslide, 20-year-old contemporary dancer Melanie Moore jets over to Hong Kong for a one-night-only performance. She chats with Leanne Mirandilla about some highlights of the show and her future aspirations.
HK Magazine: What have you been up to since “So You Think You Can Dance” ended?
Melanie Moore: I went on tour a week after the show finished, performing a lot of favorite numbers from the TV show. The top 10 went on tour and signed a contract for two months. We saw all of the US and Canada. It was amazing. I just got done two days ago, and got straight on a flight over to Hong Kong. I’m excited to be here. I’ve never been here before. Everyone’s super nice and friendly. I don’t speak any Chinese at all, but everyone’s been very helpful.
HK: What did you perform for the Gold Coast festival, which you flew in for?
MM: A solo from the show called “Cracks” with a local pianist.
HK: Do you choreograph all your dances?
MM: I choreograph all my solos. A lot of it is improv movement—whatever my body feels like doing, I end up going with. I’ve been trained a lot in improv. It’s what I do best, and what I did [a lot of] on the show.
HK: What are some of the things about SYTYCD that you miss most?
MM: We all got so close on the show. I miss all the competitors. It wasn’t too competitive of an atmosphere. It was very friendly and supportive. I feel like they’re family now. Most [contestants] from my season are all moving to LA. I’m actually moving in with two people from the show who were in the top 10. I’m looking for an apartment when I get back, and we’re all going to have dinners once a week and see each other as much as we can. We really bonded over the experience.
I also miss the challenge of getting to learn a new dance each week. The show is kind of crazy. It messes with your body and mind. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve done so far.
HK: Now that you’ve emerged victorious from SYTYCD, what are some of your current artistic aims for the moment?
MM: I should be moving out to LA to pursue dance in the commercial industry. I’m going to try and get on tour or into any movies in a dancing role. I’m hoping to get into Lady Gaga’s tour, or [work with] Kenny Ortega. I’m not sure yet—there are tons of opportunities right now, and I can’t wait to take them all on.