TV Tattler: Celebrity Interviews
'So You Think You Can Dance' Winner Speaks Out
Sabra Johnson Talks About Becoming America's Favorite Dancer & the First Female Winner
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Aug. 17 -- Sabra Johnson made 'So You Think You Can Dance' history on Thursday night becoming the first female winner that the show has had in its three seasons on Fox. After 16 million votes, the tiny but tough contemporary star, who only began dancing four short years ago, beat out the elegant Danny Tidwell for the title of America's Favorite Dancer.
The 20-year-old had barely slept a wink when AOL TV's Kimberly Potts spoke to her early on Friday morning. She happily shared her thoughts on flirting with partner Dominic Sandoval, what she's got planned for the $250,000 prize and what it's like to get a scream from judge Mary Murphy.
Congratulations! Have you slept at all?
Thanks! No, not really.
Is it exciting to be the first female winner of 'So You Think You Can Dance?'
Yeah. I keep having people remind me that I'm the first girl. It is so cool that I don't even know what to say about it.
When you first auditioned in New York, did you imagine getting this far?
I remember getting a callback and I couldn't eat or sleep for the next few days. When I got in and was going to Vegas, it all suddenly sunk in. But I didn't have any expectations.
You got to work with some amazing choreographers. Did you have a favorite?
Tony [Meredith] and Melanie [LaPatin] were definitely my favorite choreographers mostly because I got to work with them four times. [Ballroom] is not my genre, but I just had so much fun learning it with them. I really like all the choreographers, so it is hard to say that they are my favorites. I feel bad.
So You Think You Can Dance Pics
If judge Nigel Lythgoe has his way, you might become a ballroom/Latin dancer.
The Latin dances are so hard. I love them, but the technique is so hard, but so much fun. It would be great to pick that up.
What was going through you mind right before host Cat Deeley announced you as the winner?
I was content. I was excited to find out what was going to happen. It was definitely a 50/50 chance. I was standing next to Danny, the most brilliant dancer in the world. I didn't know if I was going to lose to him because of that. I was OK with anything. I was happy to be there and standing next to Danny.
Was there anything you wanted to say to the fans that you didn't get to say last night?
Thank you! Though, I'm sure everyone would say that. I honestly wish that I could meet every single person. We all have myspace pages. I opened mine up and all the e-mails you get saying how I've inspired somebody or how they love to watch me dance are so amazing. I wish I could meet these people or give them some of my time because they put me where I am.
You could meet them on the tour.
Hopefully. [Last year's winner] Benji [Schwimmer] asked me what I thought it was going to be like, and I just don't know. I think it will be thousands of people and so overwhelming. I just hope I don't get to a point where I take it for granted.
Do you have a favorite behind-the-scenes moment?
My favorite thing ever was when we were in Las Vegas. Once we made it to the top 34 we just stayed up all night. We didn't sleep or anything and we just danced all night together and it was just so much fun because there was no pressure. It was just such a great experience to be dancing with all these other people in different styles. The people are definitely what you take from this.
