The Dirt: Tiffany Maher

Growing up in Plantation, FL, Tiffany Paige Maher became a regular on the competition and convention scene soon after she started training at Dance FX at age 3. Fast-forward to 2012, when, at 19, she stole America’s heart as runner-up on “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 9. But Tiffany’s professional resumé doesn’t start or end with “SYTYCD”: She appeared in films Rock of Ages and Step Up Revolution before the show, and has since danced on “Shake It Up” and “Glee” and performed at the American Music Awards with Jennifer Lopez. Now, you can find Tiffany on faculty with Tremaine Dance Conventions—and on Season 2 of VH1’s scandal-filled show, “Hit the Floor,” playing a member of a mock NBA dance team. Read on for The Dirt.

Maher (center) in a “BollyHood” number with the Los Angeles Devil Girls on “Hit the Floor” (photo by Ron P. Jaffe)

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

An actress or dancer on the Disney Channel…or a pop singer.

If you could work with any performer, who would you choose?

Can I pick a few? Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé, Usher and Jennifer Lopez. 

Must-see TV show:

“The Bachelor”! It is my secret pleasure…well I guess not so secret anymore!

Biggest guilty pleasure:

Cronuts—Probably the most brilliant invention ever!

Favorite food:

Mexican food. Enchiladas, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, fajitas…my mouth is watering!

Something most people don’t know about you:

I’m going to college online through University of Central Florida. Go Knights! I will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Spring or Summer of 2015!

One thing you can’t live without:

My family!

What’s your most embarrassing onstage moment?

One competition, I had to perform my jazz solo in slow motion because the music was messed up. Luckily, they let me perform it over!

What has been most surprising about “Hit the Floor”?

We really do feel like we are dancers for an NBA team. We even film in an arena!