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Her challenge: To Fill the “Huge Shoes¹” of Benji Schwimmer and Heidi Groskreutz

Last year, many Meridian readers enjoyed watching LDS dancers and cousins Benji Schwimmer and Heidi Groskreutz on the Fox summer television series, “So You Think You Can Dance.” They cheered as Benji won the title, “America’s Favorite Dancer.”

Benji’s little sister Lacey Schwimmer was then fourteen days too young to try out for “So You Think You Can Dance.” She watched as brother Benji competed. Instead of being jealous, however, Lacey cheered. She recently told an interviewer that the most exciting moment of her life was when Benji won the competition.

“I was smack dab front and center by the stage when it happened, and all I can remember was me shaking in my boots (literally), then BOOM, his life changed in that second. I got to run on stage and congratulate him.”²

This year, as now-eighteen-year-old Lacey tried out in Los Angeles, she faced a challenge: even if she did become one of the ten female dancers³ to make it onto “So You Think You Can Dance,” she had to live down suspicion that her connection to Benji got her the spot.

Lacey with her big brother Benji, “America’s Favorite Dancer.”
Photos courtesy of Lauie Kauffman.

Lacey Steps into Her Own Dancing Shoes

From the beginning, Lacey has shown that although she and Benji can both dance, she has a very individual style. From their spectacular first-week modern routine choreographed by Mia Michaels to their technically-difficult yet superb quick step in week three, Lacey and assigned partner Cameron Bink’s performances have earned them great praise.

This, together with Lacey’s outstanding stage presence, has silenced many doubters.

Although Fox broadcasting is not allowing interviews until later in the show, Laurie Kauffman, Lacey’s mother, was happy to talk about her talented children. She described how Lacey has really worded “to show everyone she’s on the show because she’s an accomplished dancer, not just because she’s Benji’s sister. After that first week we had many people writing [to say] they now knew why [Lacey] was on the show.”

Since then, Lacey has worked to make sure her expressions match the feel of each dance, showing Lacey as not only as talented dancer, but skilled performer as well.

The quick step was a good example. From countenance to costume and pin-curled hair, Lacey looked genuine enough to have stepped out of an old photograph. And her work has paid off – the partnership of Lacey and Kameron have been in the top six couples every week so far.⁵

Lacey’s Character Shines

Like Benji, Lacey Schwimmer is an active member of the Church. Her mother says that although the demands of traveling for dance competitions are difficult, she and Lacey love it when they get the chance to “go to a ward, take the sacrament and meet new people. It doesn’t matter where Lacey is; if someone wants to know if she’s a Mormon, she stands proudly and says she is.”

Lacey’s mother says the dancers she knows sometimes have drinking parties in their hotel rooms. “Lacey has never touched a drop of alcohol or tried any kind of drug. And if you asked her, she has no desire [to try any.]”

Last season, Benji and cousin Heidi made watching “So You Think You Can Dance” something that LDS families anticipated each week. This summer begins another exciting season as viewers watch Lacey’s outstanding performances.

Laurie Kauffman has her own difficult schedule. She lives in Arizona, yet travels to Los Angeles twice a week to see Lacey’s tapings. Laurie has been with her daughter as one of her main coaches since the beginning. Along with training, Laurie says she, Lacey, and Lacey’s partner Jared Murillo had many gospel discussions as they traveled to competitions.

Dressing the Part

Lacey will need all of this training as she competes on “So You Think You Can Dance.” Part of the challenge of being an LDS dancer is the nature of this program. Although this is a family show, some of the costume choices are not what Lacey would have worn to compete in the National Dancesport Championships at Brigham Young University. On rare occasions, gestures are also not in accordance with LDS standards of modesty. 

Lacey and the other dancers are not allowed to choose their own costumes or choreography. As last year’s Meridian articles on Benji Schwimmer and Heidi Groskreutz pointed out, when dancers are critiqued for their movements, the judges must be able to see the line of the body.

LDS viewers can use this as an opportunity to discuss with their children how our own standards differ from the standards of the world, and how Latter-day Saint dancers such as Lacey and Benji Schwimmer can be effective missionaries even as they participate in a national competition.

Lacey dresses in full costume for her dance numbers.
Here she is shown with partner Jared Murillo.

Comments Reveal Values

On the show, Lacey’s comments reveal her values. On two different occasions, she has referred to the opportunity to be on “So You Think You Can Dance” as “a blessing.” When asked about these comments, her mother, Laurie, said, “Lacey has always known her dancing is a gift, a talent given to her to share with others. She teaches dancing to tiny tots and also world professionals. Either way, she is sharing her talent by sharing what she knows and giving another dancer a chance to get better.”

Next came So You Think You Can Dance week three and Lacey’s response to a question about her future ambitions. Her answer differed from those given by many of the contestants: “A friend of mine just passed.right after we taped [the] last show. When that happened, [everything changed.]” She said she’d had plans to act, maybe be in film. But now she said none of that mattered anymore. “Life is too short. My ambition is to make people happy through dance.”⁸

Her friend was Mila, a little girl diagnosed with a brain tumor at age two and a half. Because the tumor was inoperable, Mila was given two months to live. Mila held a special spot in the lives of Lacey, her brother and her mom. Benji’s charity, D.E.M.A.N.D.⁹ , donated money for her funeral.

Laurie Kauffman says, “The death of Mila made Lacey more aware of how fragile life really is. You should always try for your dreams now, and make every day count.”

When asked why competing on this show means so much to Lacey, Laurie said her daughter, “always knew Benji was a great dancer, but being on the show took his dancing to a higher level.” Lacey wanted, and is getting, that kind of growth experience as well.

Lacey’s prior wins make up a long and lengthy list and include the National Dancesport Championships, Youth Division, which is held at Brigham Young University’s Marriott center. She is a US Youth Latin Champion and has won the United States Swing Championships three times as a junior, and two times as an adult. In some of her wins she was invited to compete in professional divisions. Because she was under eighteen, Lacey had to get special permission to compete with adults.

Lacey and Benji

Although Lacey continues to develop her own individual style, Lacey and her brother Benji have much in common. This includes their commitment to live the gospel. About Lacey’s efforts to be a missionary, her mother says, “Lacey has had many discussions with dancers over the years about the Church.”

Another is the charismatic way they draw audiences with their dancing. Both siblings have a tremendous stage presence, culled from innate gifts and their many years of performing. Laurie Kauffman says of her children, “Both have an incredible work ethic. They [have] work[ed] through the night to come up with new moves.”

Benji has often choreographed for Lacey, who loves it. They also collaborate, as described by their mother: “They are amazing to watch when they are creating. I am always just floored when I get to look in on a practice. It’s like Christmas for me!”

Lacey and Benji have shown a good-natured friendliness toward their fellow dancers, including Lacey’s partner Kameron Binks, and Benji’s partner, Donyelle Jones. Laurie Kauffman reports that Benji and Lacey are equally good to each other. “What is so sweet to see as a mother is when your children become best friends. When they are together, they are the happiest. That feels so great.”

Benji Schwimmer: An Update

Benji’s experience on “So You Think You Can Dance” has changed his life. Laurie says he has traveled to places including Norway, China, Singapore, England, and all over North America. He danced for Christina Aguiara’s video, Candyman, a forties-era style music video complete with swing dancing. Benji taught Christina to swing for two days, and Laurie reports that Christina loved it. He and Heidi Groskreutz square danced on Fox Network’s New Year’s show. In addition to commercials, choreography, personal appearances, and potential TV pilots, Benji now works as “So You Think You Can Dance” as a reporter on Fox Reality Remix. Here he interviews both judges and also dancers who have left the show.

Despite his busy schedule, Laurie reports that Benji “will always be a missionary.” She says that when he came home from his mission, all he wanted to do was go back to Oaxaca and help his people – a definite motivation for his charity, D.E.M.A.N.D.

Benji has many gospel conversations with strangers on airplanes and in the airport. Because he has been so public about his Church membership, dancers often ask him questions about the Church. Although his mom felt it better not to give details, she confirms Benji gave a copy of the Book of Mormon to one of the dancers from last season’s “So You Think You Can Dance” show.

Support for Lacey

Lacey sees “So You Think You Can Dance” as an opportunity to improve her dancing and be an example to others. Those with enough viewer votes continue with the show. For two hours after each Wednesday’s show, viewers call in and vote for their favorite dancer.

Last year was a wonderful chance to see Benji represent the Church and go on to win “So You Think You Can Dance.” Lacey needs support to continue her goal of making others happy through her dancing. Today is Lacey Schwimmer’s nineteenth birthday. We hope she gets the gift of remaining on “So You Think You Can Dance.”