by Gina Scarpa

On last night’s live season finale of So You Think You Can Dance, Russell Ferguson was named America’s Favorite Dancer and took home the grand prize of $250,000.  He’ll also appear on the March 2010 cover of Dance Spirit magazine.  During the live finale, Russell suffered an injury during a hip hop routine that sidelined him for the rest of the night but his spirits were lifted when host Cat Deeley revealed at the end of the night that he had won.  Today, Russell spoke to reporters in a press conference call about his victory, his experiences on the show, and his plans moving forward.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What was your expectation going into the competition this season?
A. Russell: I was hoping that America would change their views on krump.  I just knew that I was going to be able to get that message across.  Winning is a bonus.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What are you going to do after the tour?
A. Russell: I’m just going to invest my money and I’m going to try to get into movie projects. 


Q. How did you end up injuring yourself?  You seemed to recover quickly when you found out that you won.
A. Russell: In the end, I was running off of adrenaline.  After I jumped off the stage… when Kevin and Legacy pulled me back up, I came down on my leg wrong and it swelled up.  I wasn’t cleared to be able to dance for the rest of the night.  I could walk, though.

Q. You have had training in the past before, right?
A. Russell: I’ve been doing hip hop all my life so I figured if I was going to take on any big dance project like the show, I would have to learn other things to be well rounded.  I did four years at Boston Arts and a year at University of the Arts.  I got a good amount of training in.  Most of the styles on the show I have never done before.  Luckily, I did take classes so I would be able to get through them.

Q. Did it bother you that the judges portrayed you as this unpolished stone who had no experience?
A. Russell: I know they know that I had some form of training.  A lot of people that train… that’s what they do.  That’s their lifestyle.  With me, I really did just come from the streets.  I like to do other stuff but I know a little bit of it.  I couldn’t freestyle in other styles.  I took classes and did what I could to be able to get enough confidence to pull these pieces off?

Q. What was your favorite style?
A. Russell: The fox trot.  It was my toughest challenge and I learned more because it was tough.

Q. What was your favorite routine this season?
A. Russell: I would have to say the Afro Jazz with Noelle.  It was just really exciting and it kind of brought me back to my roots a little bit.  It felt natural.

Q. What were you thinking heading into last night’s finale?
A. Russell: We all definitely had shots at winning.  It was all in the air at that point, in our eyes.  I felt that everybody who was there deserved to be there.  Everybody worked hard.  It was nobody’s fault that they were there.  America put them there.

Q. How did your mood change with the injury?
A. Russell: It was very stressful because I wasn’t able to do the final performance which is very important.  I still got to dance on the one that I injured myself on.  My dad came backstage, talked to me, calmed me down, and I just went out there with my head high.

Q. Why did you pull Kevin on stage when you found out that you won?
A. Russell: Kevin has been with me through this whole journey.  We’ve talked and he’s like a brother to me.  I feel like we should share that moment together.

Q. You mentioned Side Street and GFam in your speech after you won.  Who are they?
A. Russell: Side Street is a movement and we are basically trying to spread this way of krump, this new way of krump.  GFam is the crew that is spreading the movement, which is what I’m a part of.

Q. Do you feel like you are an inspiration to other krumpers out there?
A. Russell: Definitely!  The kids out there that are watching have hope now.  They can do the same thing… even better.

Q. How are you going to celebrate your victory?
A. Russell: When I get home, I’m pretty sure the party’s waiting.  I’m just going to enjoy myself and have fun.


(Image courtesy of FOX)

SEE ALSO
So You Think You Can Dance Season 6: Finale Results Recap


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