This article originally appeared in the Summer 2024 Champion Issue of Showstopper Magazine.

1967

AMERICAN BANDSTAND

Judy Michaud and Frank Vanderpuil

Six couples competed in Season 10 to be chosen by the TV audience. Judy Michaud (later Bayer) and Frank Vanderpuil were the lucky couple in first place, winning a stereo set, 10 stereotape cartridges, 12 albums on vinyl, and a Magnavox color TV with detachable legs. Judy also won a portable radio and American Tourister luggage set while Frank won a full tent and sleeping bags.

1988

STAR SEARCH

The Buys Club (Dance Category)

Charles Carr, Eric Ellis, Bill Bohls, and Nathan Prevost wowed live and TV audiences with their jazz moves on Star Search in 1988. They took classes at Dupree Dance Center in Los Angeles, CA with Jackie Sleight. Jackie also choreographed the group’s performances on Star Search. During the season, The Boys Club was electric, and while they continued to dance, sometimes together, The Boys Club disbanded after the win.

1991

STAR SEARCH

New World (Dance Category)

Broadway legend Hinton Battle approached Kevin Stea, Dominic Lucero, Bryant Baldwin, and Raj Kapur about forming the dance group New World. Little did they know it would be a great success. With Hinton choreographing and the group styling and designing their own costumes, the group appeared on Star Search 10 times! They won the dance category in 1991.

1996

SHOWSTOPPER WEST COAST AMERICAN DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

Amber Brooks (National Champion Senior Soloist)

Representing Susan’s Studio of Dance in Tulare, CA, Amber Brooks graced the stage with a beautiful pointe routine that would make her the National Champion Senior Soloist of 1996. Luckily, you don’t have to miss out on her performance! (And you don’t even need a VHS to watch.) It loves on Showstopper’s YouTube channel.

1999

SHOWSTOPPER WEST COAST AMERICAN DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

West Coast Dance Company (Junior Champions)

In 1999 2,500 dancers competed for 11 spots in the Showstopper American Dance Championships. When those groups were chosen, you know the best of the best were competing! Of the five Junior groups chosen, West Coast Dance Company’s lyrical routine “Hear Our Prayer” shined brightest on stage, and they took home the Junior Champion title.

2008

AMERICA’S BEST DANCE CREW (SEASON 1)

Jabbawockeez

The first hip hop group to ever win MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, the Jabbawockeez first found fame in 2008. Their unique style, costumes, and mystery wowed audiences. Is it any wonder that they took the win and turned it into international success? When they started out, the Jabbawockeez featured just six members. Now there are 20 active Wockeez!

2012

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (SEASON 9)

Eliana Girard

One of only two ballet dancers to ever win SYTYCD, Eliana was also one of the winners of the first season of the show to crown both a male and female winner. Competing outside of your style can be difficult, but clearly Eliana was up to the challenge. Did you know she quit her job as an aerialist with Cirque de Soleil to audition for Season 9?

2013

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT

Kenichi Ebina

At 38 years old Kenichi Ebina from Tokyo, Japan brought his dance moves and original choreography to America’s Got Talent. His style, which he called “dance-ish” blended robotics, hip hop, and martial arts. From the running man (which he confessed during his audition was his first and only dance move when he first got into datnce) to his unique style, Kenichi proved himself a star.

2015

AMERICA’S BEST DANCE CREW (SEASON 8)

Quest Crew

In 2015, the seven-member hip hop group Quest Crew won Season 8 of America’s Best Dance Crew All-Stars Road to the VMAs. This exciting win was their second ABDC triumph as they beat out Beat Freaks in Season 3. Their Season 8 performance even led the group to an Emmy win for Outstanding Choreography in 2016.

2016

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (SEASON 13)

Kida Burns

The youngest person to become America’s Favorite Dancer is So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation winner Kida Burns. Before his victory, Nigel Lythgoe said that Kida was the least tranied dancer at the start of Season 13, but his hard work with his mentor Fik-Shun (SYTYCD Season 10 winner) earned him the victory.

2017

WORLD OF DANCE (SEASON 1)

Les Twins

Making their way to the debut season of NBC’s World of Dance from France, Les Twins, Larry and Laurent Nicolas Bourgeois, made their moves stand out against groups like Jabbawockeez and talented soloists like Kyle Van Newkirk and Eva Igo. The duo even danced despite Laurent’s Achilles injury later in the season. In the end, they won over Eva by two-tenths of a point!

2018

DANCING WITH THE STARS JR

Sky Brown and JT Church

Mentored by Alan Bernstein, Sky Brown—known best for becoming the youngest British Summer Olympian ever at age 13—and professional dancer JY Church secured their Dancing with the Stars win with a salsa that Sky opened with a skateboard trick. Sky and JT are the only winners of DWTS Juniors as the spin-off of the popular competition show was canceled after one season.

2019

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (SEASON 16)

Bailey Muñoz

Often lacking the technique and versatility of contemporary, jazz, or lyrical dancers, hip hop dancers don’t often make it far in So You Think You Can Dance. There are some notable exceptions, including tWitch, Fik-Shun, Comfort Fedoke, and Season 16 winner Bailey Muñoz. At 19, Bailey won the title of America’s Favorite Dancer not only as a hip hop dancer but as the first b-boy to ever win SYTYCD.

2023

DANCE 100 (SEASON 1)

Brandi Chun

Most shows are about dancers going head to head, but Netflix’s Dance 100 made the choreographers show their skills instead. Competing against seven other choreographers, Brandi Chun had to come up with and perform routines with the show’s dancers who were also the judges. Her final performance was an awards show-inspired dance using all 100 dancers.

2023

DANCING WITH THE STARS (SEASON 32)

Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy

Entering Dancing with the Stars with no dance experience, one of Xochitl’s goals on Season 32 was to improve her technique while competing with stars that had cheer and gymnastics backgrounds. With determination, her acting and stunt skills, and her undeniable bond with her partner Val Chmerkovskiy, Xohcitl secured the Mirrorball trophy. She is the second-younest contestant to do so.

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Veronica Good
Veronica Good has been with Showstopper Magazine since 2016. When she isn't keeping you updated on the latest trends, she is at home with her many pets or probably playing The Sims 4. Veronica has a BA in English and an MA in writing from Coastal Carolina University. She is also a writer of fiction and poetry, and her work can be found in Archarios, Tempo, and Scapegoat.

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